Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-04
HE SOUNDS A WARNING.
Hon. John T.. Massey's View on Ter
riforinI Expansion.

To the Editor OF the Dispatch
When. in their inimitable Declaration
of Independence. the American Colonie
asserted that "all men are created equal
that they are endowed by their Create
with certain inalienable rights; tina
among these are life, liberty. and TIL
pursuit of happiness; that to secure thes'
| rights governments are Instituted amonl
men. deriving their just powers from tn,
consent OF the governed" they sounded Z
note of warning to all oppressors and
usurpers, and encouraged the oppressed
Of every land TO demand and defend theii
"inalienable rights" And when these
Colonies gained their independence and
| framed a government OF their own IL was
based upon the principle which they had
declared to be the proper foundation OF
all governments. "the consent of the
| governed"
From its formation It has been an OBJ
| ject lesson TO men of all nationalities
and the admiration of all liberty-loving
| people.
Those who have been encouraged by
her example to throw off the yoke of OPP
preston and TO exercise the right OF self
government have naturally looked 10
her for sympathy and rTal support.
These have never been wi ED from any
people struggling for SO government.
Yet it has been the established policy Of
this government not 10 Interfere with
other established governments or TO rem
der material aid TO their subjects. even
when they were justly struggling for in
dependence and the right Of self-govern-
ment.
When, however. the cruelties which
were perpetrated by Spain upon her sub
jects, almost at our doors. became so in
tolerable as TO shock every feeling OF hu-
mainly it seemed 10 become the duty or
this government TO interfere and arrest
these cruelties. When her purpose to do
30 became known coupled with the as
surance that the acquisition of territory
was not her object; that her purpose was
TO put an end TO Spanish butchery, and
help a suffering people TO free themselves
from their cruel oppressors. and to estab-
llsh q government. deriving its powers
from the consent of the governed" the
step met general approval.
The prowess displayed by our armies
and navies. and the victories achieved
by them, We're almost phenomenal. and
challenged the admiration Of all other
nations.
When victory perced upon our banner
hostlities ceased and the Spanish legions
left the fields OF carnage and strife and
returned TO their homes. this government
should have said to those TO whose res
cue they had gone: We have accom-
pllshed the object for which we came;
we have helped you 10 achieve independ-
ence OF your oppressors; our mission has
been fulfilled you must now frame your
own government.
Had the United States done this she
might have been justly termed the
queen Of nations"
No other nation ever had such an OPP
portunity of covering herself with glory
and honor-of proving herself 10 be good
in greatness and great in goodness.
But alas. l fear the time TOR display
Ing such noble philanthropy has PISSED.
Having helped the Philippines TO free
themselves from Spanish oppression and
cruelty, we are now seeking TO force upon
them a government against the consent
Of those who are to be governed.
Consider the case from an economic
standpoint. Suppose we subjugate the
What shall we gain by 1t?
What benefit can we derive. either indi-
vidually or collectively, by the acquisi-
ton OF territory more than 5000 miles
from our shores inhabited by a hetero- |
geneous people who will require a large |
army and a strong navy to keep them
In subsection? We have ample territory |
and resources at home, if properly uti- |
lied, to place us IN the front rank OF the |
great Powers Of the world.
What IS our remedy?
Exchange our helmsmen for those who
are imbued with the spirit Of true Jeffer-
,onian Democracy-men who are honest
and capable" JOHN f.. MASSEY.
Charlottesville, Va. March %, 1899.