The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-22
SUNDAY. JANUARY %. 1s9S.
wHArwisE MEN mAvEsAID OFT.

In his SPIRIT of Laws. Montesquieu says.
book a. chapter C. '1f democracy con-
quers a nation in order to govern it as
a subject. it will jeopardize IT'S own lib
erty. because il viii connle TOO much
power TO the officials who are sent to
The conquered country"
MontesQuieu has been accepted for two
centuries as one Of the wisest men the
world has ever had Statesmen and po-
lidcal economists the world over have
been resorting TO his works for instruc-
tion and Inspiration in questions Of gov
eminent. In bis profound and truly
statesman-like papers that the Federalist
contains. James Madison showed that he
had been a constant and eager student
OF the spirit of Laws" and they crop
out in those papers oftener perhaps than
any other book to which he refers
Nontesquieu has indicated here the
true point OF objection to- our acquiring
the Philippine Islands and holding them
as colonies. We viii conhde 10 those we
send there 10 govern them more power
than men who live iu republics should
have. and we will be forced TO do il be-
cause they will be unable to govern the
turbulent. half-civilized people who live
I'm the Philippines without commanding
authority. We will thus set up before
the eyes OF our people the spectacle OF
men who rule not 10y law. but. I'm great
measure, by their own WILL and this ex>
ample is catching and will breed many
here who Will desire To- initiate the ex-
ample. II once the example is set Of any
class that can put the laws aside. the
laws Will fan into contempt and soon
all viii want TO do the same thing ana
the democratic government will come 20
an end. our public men should study
this aphorism Of this wise Frenchman
and take Sc deeply to heart It has a
vast meaning and IS the result of this
sago's reflections upon the lessons of all
The history Of the past.
On Tuesday last Mr.. John Morley. ad-
dressing his constituents I'm England.
criticised the prevailing spirit Of jingo-
ism and imperialism" lie denounced IL
as entirely opposed 20 tho lessons of
Mr.. Gladstone. lessons TO which he would
feel himself untrue were DEE 10 allow him
self TO drift ga aoquicscnce with a course
OF policy which ho believed injurious 10
our material prosperity TO the national
character and 20 the strength and safety
OF tho imperial State
lie frankly admitted that he took
pessimisuc view of the difficulties
threatening throughout the world. and
said: 81 think We are nearer the be-
ginning OF them than the end
10 was his firm conviction shat "the
prevailing spirit OF imperialism must i'm
ov,ably bring mlltarism. d gigantic
daily growing expenditure increased
power 10 arstocrats and privileged
classes. ana war"
II this eminent Enchshman can look
with so much alarm az the tendency of
Imperialism in England how much
greater should Doe the alarm Of an
American at the suggestion that We de-
part from a system OF implicit obedience
20 law.
General Leonard Wood was before the
Senate Committee on Military Affairs last
wednesday. and ne told &c we should have
10 keep an army OF $1,000 men in Cuba
Tor a long time 10 preserve order there
Jie knows more of tae conditions pre-
vailnr IN Cuba than any other Amerl-
can living. IL Cuba requires 5000 the
Philippines and Porto Rico Will require
10000 more. That means jobbery Of an
sorts for politicians so thar Washington
will be converted into a political hot
house with Senators and Representa-
lives schemIng for the swag. and they
could use that swag 10 keep up their
political organization amongst us in our
homes that these organizations should
continue TO send them back to Con-
gress.
The thing Is automatic and would end
I'm a holocaust Of fraud and corruption