Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-09-01
SERGEANT BATES AS AN ANTI"


Prof. Charles Eliot Norton has re-
ceived this interesting letter from Color
Sergeant Gilbert II. Bates, a Union
soldier perfectly well known in every
Grand Army post in the country; 1T is
dated at Saybrook, ILL.,, Aug. IL. He
says
/ have done no writing for publication
on the great question of the day since
May IL, but have had and am having
considerable personal correspondence on
the subject, and am pleased to say anti
expansion sentiment Is looming to the
front with increasing speed and in in
creasing volume In thisIpart of the West.
True, as the national elections are near
at hand, party loyalty and prejudice,
aroused and guided by party leaders in
selfish and partisan interests, may check
its advance and maintain this "new
departure" but let US hope not.
As you we'll know, the political future
of the Amer AN citizen depends upon
himself; and ever was this dependence
so great, never, was need so great for
intelligent consideration and courageous,
unprecedented and patriotic action. In
fact, political conditions and events of
the next 16 months will decide the future
of the republic, and the loyal, Intelligent
and fearless action of majority of Its
citizenship, and 1t only, can decide it
rightly. And l earnestly hope that
respect for the past and anxiety for the
future will bring this character of
majority on deck, and that love of
country, of liberty and of Justice will
keep it on deck until the old ship Of state
is again securely moored in the haven of
peace and safety prepared for it by our
fathers, and from which it was so lately
and so unwisely forced by "jingoism"
and hysterical politics.
AS see it, the greater danger does not
lie so much in what the advocates of eX-
pansion want to do, as in what the in
difference of the people may permit them
to do. Unquestionably expansion along
present lines and by present methods
means, and Is, Imperialism; while the
maintenance of imperialism, even though
only to a moderate degree, means, as is
already demonstrated, not only political
GENERALIZATION and the unjust restriction
of liberty, but also increased power to,
and the continued supremacy of, the
capitallstic class, with its trusts. cor
rupting influences and disturbing agen-
ces of oppression.
And therefore, as it seems to me, the
right, best and most effective. in fact,
only reliable remedy for existing and
threatened conditions is to appeal to
and arouse the people to due realization
of present and coming evils and dangers
of imperialism and its natural allies and
romoters-miltarism and greed. In
this knowledge and interest which its
possession would arouse, lies the only
saving element of our institutions; il
saved and upheld them in the past, and
its proper utilization'will strengthen and
maintain them in the future.
1t is said by high authority that the
government will neither change nor hal
in the enforcement of its Philippine
policy. Should this prove to be so anC
the people remain indifferent to it
results until shame of dishonor and in
justice and the burden of its cost il
blood and treasure forces them to act
the final and deciding battles of thi
Philippine war will be fought, not in thu
Philippine islands, but in the United
States.