The record-union., 1899-09-09
A GREAT DEMOCRATIC EXPAN
SIONIST.

ACAAA OCAAIOlA, q SoASeAb AA45iA III AOSb VI
Democracy, the man whose Thirty
Years in the United States Senate" is a
political classic, was an expansionist.
The st. Louis "Globe-Democrat," in a
recent issue shows from the record Of
Bentons career as a statesman that
he was radical expansionist. He stood
and battled for the doctrine of the ex-
pansion of the United States into a
world respected and controlling power.
He will be found so expressing him
self in the great work referred to. Even
while he was Minister to France he en-
tertained such views. He ardently ap-
proved Jefferson's sending De Villiers
to explore Siberia, with view to the
passage Of Behring Straits and the ex-
ploration of what we now know as
Oregon, and to ascertain the probable
relation the two countries might bear
to one another.
Benton dwells at length upon the fact
that Jefferson had a definite policy of
expansion and never ceased to labor for
1t, and it included the possible conquest
or all the region then known as British
Columbia. Benton in his speeches re-
peatedly dwelt upon the necessity of
our ascendency in the Pacific. He
wrote and distributed pamphlets liber-
ally, pointing out why we should ac-
quire all the northwest territory.
He urged that England must be
shut out from the eastern coasts of the
Pacific Ocean, that we might assert
ourselves upon that ocean. He contem-
plated not only control of the ocean but
OF the island wealth of the same, and
he included the ancient civilization of
the east to degree. Benton favored
expansion by force of arms if neces-
sary. He supported the Floyd resolu-
tlon for the occupation of Oregon. and
TWO or three years later himself intro
duced a resolution for the driving OF
the British out of that region. Yet
at that time our right to occupy the
territory was not nearly so clear as is
our right to the Philippines.
do not argue the question of title
on the part of the United States" he
said, but only state what it is founded
upon Nor do l argue the question Of
the advantages of retaining the Colum-
bIa and refusing to divide and ALLEVIATE
our territory upon it. 1 merely state
them and leave their value to result
from the enumeration.
/. To keep out a foreign power.
To gain seaport, with a military
and naval station on the coast of the
Pacific
.. To save the trade in that region:
T. 10 open a communication for
commercial purposes between the Mis-
sisslppi River and the Pacific Ocean.
.. To send the lights of science and
religion across the Pacific and into
Asia.
All this sounds, remarks the st. Louis
paper, very like present day summing
up OF the advantages to the commerce
OF the nation and the advancement Of
our civilization, to result from our
domination of the Philippines. In one
OF his speeches Mr.. Benton said:
Upon the people of Asia and the Pa
cific Islands the establishment Of a civ
illzed power on the opposite coast Of
america could not fail to produce
great and wonderful effects. Science.
hoera1 principles in government and
the true religion would cast their lights
across the intervening sea-
Benton did not stand alone. for Poll,
was elected to the Presidency by the
Democracy upon a distinct expansion
platform demanding "all Of Oregon or
none" Benton was so positive and great
an expansionist that he favored and
battled for the absorption of the coast
region OF Mexico and gave the cele-
brated Doniphan expedition his sup
port, In the hope that it would lead
up to that end.
When Colonel Kearney, after the fall
OF the place, proclaimed at Santa Fe
that its citizens were no longer subjects
OF Mexico, but Of the United States by
reason Of his occupation of the place
fand the assertion of the power Of the
United States over what we now know
as New Mexico, there was an outcrv
against it, just as there is now against
our occupation Of the Philippines. But
Benton, grim old statesman that he
was, replied 81 will be responsible for
Doniphan"
But prior to that Benton had adyo-
Gated governmental action looking to
the building Of a Pacific railroad ITO
develop our domestic commerce and for
the better reaching of the islands Of
the Pacific and the mainland of Asia ,,
The report presented TO the Senate.
which brought up the question. was
written by Senator Breese of Illinois.
That report, which Benton warmly
supported. almost declared for the con
quest of all the Pacific isles.
OF the Polynesian group it saws:
Commerce is to develop their re-
sources, as also to civilize their inhab
1tantss as it has with the Sandwich
Islands. To us they will be important.
and by our commerce and intercourse
must they be brought to life and light.
And of the Philippines it says. They
produce sugar, coffee, indigo, hemp.
ETC., such articles as we want in ex-
change for our cotton cotton manu-
factures and many other products.
When the inhabitants of these and the
other islands are freed from vassalage
and can enjoy unrestrainedly the re-
ward of their own labor, we shall find
thetr ability to produce and exchange