The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1899-10-18
Washburn, Wis, Oct, IS, 80.
the DOCTRINE OF EXPANSION.

IT is beyond our understanding
how any intelligent citizen of this
Republic, can sympathize in, or
even have any patience with the so
called doctrine Of anti-expansion.
When the war with Spain began
there was no intention on the part
of this government to acquire any
new territory, unless possibly it
might have been the island of Porto
Rico. -
But the destiny of fate and the
guns of Dewey gave us possession OF
the PHILIPPINE archipealago. After
that victorious battle of Manila Bay
the PHILIPPINE islands belonged to US.
We might possibly have left them in
the possession of the Spanish gov
eminent, but it is doubtful whether
such course could have been pur-
sued, nevertheless before the ad-
ministration or anyone else knew
just what was going on the gallant
Dewey had secured a quit-claim
deed of the islands. The Temporary
government given to the islands,
and the Peace treaty and it's ratifi-
cations are matter OF history. Be
fore we had even time to ratify that
treaty or give to the islanders any
idea Of what our intentions were,
they were in rebellion against US,
and have been ever since. AS
matters now exist it would be dis
grace to the nation to say to those
people, that, as soon, as we lick you
we will pull up stakes and get out of
here. That is practically what the
"Aunties' are telling the admins
tration to do, and some others are
goingseven farther and seem to think
that the American soldiers ought to
haul old glory down into the dust,
and run for their ships and sail
away. Some of the rankest of
'copperheads" will tell US of the
lawful brutality" of the American
soldiers. They try to set up an
awful example as to what cruel
thing it is for the American people
to compel the submission of our new
subjects to become a part of the
greatest and most benevolent nation
on the face of the globe. The policy
of the government was outlined by
Secretary Wilson, in his speech the
other day, interfering to the Philli-
pines. cit is ours, it is going to
remain ours, just as much as South
Dakota"
It is an awful thing ism t it to ask
those half savage people of the
PHILIPPINE Islands who have for CEN
turtles been chatting under the tyran-
nical rule of old Spain to become a
part of this great country of ours?
It is an awful thing too, isn't it to
expect people of whose capabilities
of self government there is grevious
doubt, to let us supervise the admin
istration of their affairs?
How solicitous some Of our anti
expansion friends have become re-
garding these half savage people.
Some of them will yet be arguing for
self government ofthe Chippewas and
the Sioux. There is going to DE no
secession now any more than
there was in the sixties. We kept
everything south Of Mason and
s)ixon s line then, and in earlier
lines We expanded beyond the origin
al thirteenstates. And in 1898 we
reached out into the seas and gather
ed up a few islands. There need be
no fear that Uncle Sam is going to
abuse these new members of his
household, he is simply showing
themnow that they have to mind, and
when they have learned the lesson,
he will point out to them the way to
be happy, the way to enjoy gener
Gus and liberal government, and he
will give them schools, and educate
them, and they will learn to know
that they are part of the best gov
ernmeLt on the face of the earth.
THE CUP is SAFE