The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-01-07

the most earnest students of political economy
in nearly AL of the state. While the fact is
recognized that lack OF interest IN primary
party caucuses is largely responsible for the
unsatisfactory results frequently complained OF
in county and state conventions, 1t must be ad-
mitted that many Of the present evils can be
done away with by the adoption Of a primary
election law that will bring party primary
meetings under state supervision and control.
Such a law need not be burdensome or expen-
sive in its operation and i respectfully urge
that a primary election law be made the sub
ject OF most careful and favorable considera-
tion.i
The treaty Of peace with Spain having been
signed, and as the country begins to assume Its
normal condition., we, as citizens Of North Da-
kota, naturally turn our attention to the Philip
pine islands, where our two batalliOns of In
fantry (oncc our national guard are now sta
toned. We have reason to point with pride to
the record they have made for themselves and
for the state. The good news OF so small a per
is cause for thankfulness, and we congratulate
ourselves that we have been so extremely FORTH
nate and trust that the future may bring even
better conditions. When our regiment returns
home we will miss from the original rolls the
names of the following brave and patriotic men:
John Buckley, Company &; Frank Harden and
Company X, who have answered the last roll
call and command and In response to taps the
lamp of life has been extinguished. We extend
our sympathy and condole with the perceived
relatives, comrades and friends.
1t has become demonstrated that our military
laws, as now constituted, are q mere matter OF
experiment, and in order to obtain the pest re-
suits, u complete revision would be found neces-
sary. =.
As the future will see the national guard of
the different states the volunteer army OF the
nation, l would respectfully recommend that our
laws governing the militia be revised or so
amended as to comply as fully as is possible
with those adopted by congress governing the
United States regular and volunteer army, espc-
ofallysas to OrpanfZatiOu and euuiDment.
Second-That all arms, uniforms and equip
ment be furnished by the state and that no
yearly cash allowance be made companies Tor
that purpose.
T%hird-That q system of medical examination
be adopted for the purpose OF placing our mil
tia in a more efficient condition for the heid IN
time of emergency.
Fourth-That the appropriation made for the
purpose of carrying out the provisions OF the
military code be wise and conservative Out
ample.
And 1 would further recommend as q matter
of appreciation and fairness that a Dill De
passed allowing those companies in the service
the year ending June 80, 1890, the same as those
companies remaining in the state, as many OF
the companies own their own armorics, but still
owe a small debt on them.
FavOrs Expansion.
In this connection 1 am reminded that we
have recently been made to realize that we are
not an isolated state, but an active member OF
this great sisterhood Of states, and an lntegrai
part Of this victorious nation. I rejoice with
you that the brave and stalWart sons OF this
state have helped to break the letters when
bound millions OF souls: Their cry ~. ne Ell
their hands outstretched in duplication, were
not, passed UNDECIDED, but our people gave OF
their substance. yes. many gave their Nves ior
the oppressed. And now, with tne return no ~
peace. while we rejoice that the late war was
SO free from great losses to our forces, espe.
cially upon the sea and in the Far East what
shall be our attitude toward the WIDER oppor-
tunities that have opened up before our coun-
try? In other words, shall we lend our lnnu-
ence for or against expansion? I, for one, am
for expansion. 1t i'll becomes a citizen OF TINS
state, and, indeed, of the whole Northwest, to
say anything against expansion. for this state.
together with every one of our neighboring
states. is a fruit of that same policy-expan-
sion. Perhaps some OF IT'S oppomdnt soa a.e a au,
most of the vast domain west OF the Mlssis-
sippi river belonged to France, and was known
by the one name Of louisiana vast tracI ex-
tending northward from the mouth OF the MIS-.
sissippi river to the Dominion of Canada, ana
westward to the Pacific ocean; a tract now as
vided into seventeen states and territories COM
prising in the neighborhood Of 200, 900 square
miles-more than one-third of the total area or
the United States; and this was bought In
1903 for a song-$11 .250, 00O-less than $40 =
square mile-because Napoleon Bonaparte. then
first consul Of France, happened to be In need.
Had 1t not been for expansion North Dakota
would now be French territory, and Its broad
now adorns them. To be sure, the Louisiana
purchase was opposed by tho anti-expansionists
at the beginning of this century. ana no one re-
joices more than we that they failed:
Did you ever realize that by Tar the greater
rart Of the territory Of the United States was
obtained through the policy OF expansion!
After the purchase Of Louisiana IN 1913 came
that of Florida in 1921, q territory extending
from the Atlantic ocean to the Mississippi river
none Of the original thirteen colonies having
had an outlet to the Gulf OF Mexico. Ineh
from 1886 to 1913 Texas. New Mexico, Utah
and California were acquired. and IN 1857
Alaska. -.
i have dwelt somewhat at length on this
question Of expansion. first to snow ~a t ~ that ,s mas sts
triumph has ever been fruitful Of good
results; and, second. because it is 60
ing to .l Be n a l Hnaf Do question aop p nl 'a an
solving the problems that confront inc req
eral government. Judging from all our go
rlous past, you will doubtless agree WIN me
ttat the policy of expansion is the correct one
for our national government to follow. Inc
soil of these various islands Of the sea mas
been baptized with heroic blood, IN the cause
of liberty, and thereby n ade sacred IN our
eyes, and we cannot lightly abandon 1t. Our
flag has been flung to the breeze. and we cam
not withhold the promise of freedom that 1t
gave. Where our loved and hon0red brave
now sleep, thither our thoughts shall ever fond
" Their Welfare I'm Our Keeping.
Besides, through destiny: as l believe .ae
placed in our keeping. Our duty to them d docs
not end with striking of their chains and driv.
ing their Oppressms our, but we must see tnat
thew become erect and free, with all the quail
ties Of mind and soul that men and women IN
this age ought to possess. Fetters OF darkness
must still be stricken from the mind; ignorance
and superstition must, with oppression, their
creator. he put to flight. As freedom and COM
merce will follow the flag, the flag must oe
planted even farther forward In the domain OF
darkness and oppression, and be there main
tanned until the many blessings which 1t sym
l,olizes are enjoyed.
There are In the world to-day tweuty.four re-.
publics. Nineteen of them are In this Western
hemisphere: three Of them are in Africa. and
two OF them in Europe. Only one OF them,
switzerland. ,ante-dates the. United States.
SEPARATION from our republic. The torch Of lib
erty for these many lands was lighted It our
altar nre, and while other peoples that hereto
fore have sat In darkness crave the same boon,
we cannot deny them.
To be sure, the party to carry our country sue.
~cessfully through all the perpiextties that shall
arise, must be the party that IL truest TO our
national ideals; the party Of q free. enlightened
and universal ballot; the partyaof an honest 6ol.
lar: the party that does not beeet distrust: but
which loyalty upholds all our henencent insti'
tutions and IL willing to meet all our 0bliEations.
congratulate you. gentlemen, and through
I congratulate the entire state. on the
prosperity, which during the past several years
has blessed our broad domain, and rewarded ths
patience. industry and enterprise OF our people.
Tie suffering OF the pioneer has been turned to
10Y; the struggle with untamed nature mas At
borne fruttaGe. May q bountiful providence
the blessings which we now enjoy.
Il IL your province. gentlemen. to enact the
laws. and mine to perform the duties Of the
executiye IN putting them into execution. I am
thn hsnS IA carry out YOUR will, and the