The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-10-11

America, in One Hundred Years, Has Expanded Its
Territory to Five Times Its Original Limits.
Paper by Mr. Wilson Before the Abbevile Literary Clut
Friday Night October 9th, 1899.


presence OF war vessels which the Democrats
constructed. Thus 1t is that the last acquisi-
tion of territory was really Democratic
victory In that II proved the sagacity and
the wisdom Of Democratic leaders In organ
II cleveland had not been President. then
Mckinley would not have had the power to
conquer Spain, and 1t would have been I'M
possible for the United States to compel her
subjects. Democratic war ships. under COM
mand OF Republican administration,
brought freedom to Cuba.
Expansion, from the earliest history OF the
country down 10 the present time. Is good
orthodox Democratic doctrine. and II any
country has shown greater evidences OF the
beneficial results OF expansion, am not &C
quainted with the fact. If any Of the terri.
Of the American Eagle, nave not heard OF IT,.
THE SAME OBJECTIONS TO EXPANSION.
But in each instance OF adding to our
boundary the same objections to the addi-
tion of territory have been urged, namely: {:
The constitutional limitations, the bar
renness or the unprofitablenss OF the land,
and the Objectionable character Of the citi-
said to be Spsniards, Indians, halfbreeds,
negroes and barbarians generally.
As q further objection 10 the admission OF
California and New Mexico was added the
CO could only be reached after perilous jour
ney Of three months by wagon road, which
was peset with robbers and murderers. Six
months by sea was necessary TO make the trip.
Owing to the great distance from Washing
ton, and the lack OF facilities for travel, Cali
fornia was not asked TO contribute soldiers In
the war between the States. And let 1t not
be forgotten that the Philippine islands by
cisco.
y IrryY DR. A fyr r A r.
DESERT BLOSSOMS.
The march of progress, the advance In the
arts, the growth of agriculture, and the In
crease along all the lines of civilization have
brought great changes In all the countries to
which objection was made
The lawless Mexicans, Spnniards, half
breeds and wild men who Inhabited the
the United states and San Francisco haye
yielded TO American influence. They have
either disappeared from the face of the earth,
or conformed their conduct to that Of the
Since the war the Great American Desert
has become q cultivated field. The laden
vine adds its wealth, the golden fruit contri'
butes its luxury. and sweet fields OF living
fort of the people and add the wealth OF their
presence to the commerce of the country.
Instead of The rov!ngs OF robber bands
through the barren lands and unfrequented
mountains, which lay between US and San
Francieco, we have multitudes OF good men
In the peaceful pursuits OF life, happy and
a contented people, whose husbandry, with
irrigation and the use OF arteslan wells, has
con verted the barren waste Into q garden OF
plenty.
Passing splendid cities and towns which
dot the way here and there, we now make
the trip safely 10 San Francisco In palatial
cars in less than week.
The same reduction in time and expense
will be made in our commerce with the
Philippines. and In the course Of few years,
we Will be as proud OF the islands as we are
of any part OF this great country upon whose
territory the sun never sets.
Their citizens will yield TO the benign infiu-
and sweetening influence of our religion will
make Of them useful and valuable citizens.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL WILL SHORTEN THE
DISTANCE TO SAN FRANCISCO.
Today the cities of New York and New
Orleans are distant from San Francisco by
water about fifteen thousand miles around
Cape Horn, a considerably greater distance
from US than the Philippine islands.
AS soon as the Nicaragua canal Is cut across
the isthmus, the distance between these cities
will be reduced TO less than five thousand
miles. and the intervening space between
Manila and the United States will be much
less than II is today.
If distance be barrier to annexing the
Philippines then We ought to dispose of Call
Let America build her ships and cut
the Nicaragua canal. Let US, IL need be. an-
mex the isthmus. Peaceably, If we can, forci'
bly,, II we must.
STRONGER GOVERNMENTS WILL ABSORB THE
WEAKER.
am Inclined to agree with the suggestion
which has been made. that the changes that
are now taking place on the map Of the
world, Indicate that the smaller powers, or
governments, will sooner or later be dissolv-
ed, and that their territory will be annexed
to their stronger neighbors. The strong gov
ern lnents will grow stronger at the expense
OF the weaker powers until possibly the gov
ernments of the earth may be greatly reduc-
ed In number. For this reason, If for no other.
we should secure all territory which may now
be within our grasp.
THE VALUE OF TERRITORY MORE IMPoRTANT
When the subject of expansion is under
consideration the character and the ability
OF the Filipinos to govern themselves is not a
subj ject for consideration. Whether they are
civilized or whether they are saVages, Is OF
but little concern. They must recognize ana
respect the lawful authority OF the U nlted
States, or else they must do as the Spaniards.
Indians, half.breeds and the wild men OF the
West have done-dsappear from the lace OF
the earth.
The value of the islands themselves are OF
more importance. American thrift, Amerl.
can push and American enterprise Will ma
In these islands the most inviting FIELDS lor
the development of natural resources, ana LOT
the exercise Of good business methods.
MISLEADING PICTURES.
The pictures which we see In the news.
papers of the islanders are nearly always OF
the poorer classes-in their rags, or In their
scant clothing. These people no more repre-.
sent the wealth, culture and refinement Of
! the islands than would the picture OF rice
| field negro represent the culture and refine
| ment OF the city OF Charleston.
Agoncilo, who recently represented Agul-
| naldo in this country, claims that sixty-tWo