New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-07
MR.. CROKER FOR EXPANSION
THE POLICY. HE SAYS. IS PATRIOTIC
AND THE ONLY SAFE ONE.
HE RELIEVES IN HOLDING WHATEVER pos
SESSIONS WE HAVE GAINED BY ANNEXA-
TIoN. PURCHASE OR Wharf.-The
is-rO-i QUESTION HE DE-

TON PURCHASE OR wAR"-THE
1s-ro-i QUESTION HE DE-
C1AREsA A DEAD ISSUE
Richard Croker sent the following statement 10
The New York Journal yesterday with the re-
quest that II be sent TO other newspapers:
Every man. in my opinion. should express
himself clearly on the great question OF the day
That question Is National expansion, which has
been the handspring OF this Nation and the pol
Icy Of the Democracy since the Nations birth
The views which follow are mine personally ana
| write them as a private individual
Il believe in expanslon 1 believe in holding
whatever possessions we have gained by annex
alton. purchase war.
This policy is not only patriotic, but II Is the
only safe one to pursue Any other policy
would show weakness on the part Of the United
States and invite foreign complications. This
must be avoided hence our policy must be Wig
orous Every patriotic American and every
Democrat in particular. should favor expansion.
jefferson was an expansonist; otherwise he
would not have favored the acquisition OF
Louisiana. with It's foreign population, which in
Jeferson's time quite rs remote as the
Philippines In this age Of steam and electricity
distance is no argument against expansion
we spend millions annually for missionary
work In foreign countries Now we nave
chance TO spend thls money in our own possess
sions and make the people Of our new lands
good, w-abiding citizens who in time will be
loyal to our Constitution and our flag. Take
England. for example. The people Of this little
isle come pretty near owning the universe Are
not our people as intelligent. az powerful and
rs patriotic as the English people? The United
States is the only country on earth superior 20
the English. Why not illustrate TO the world
that W. are fully able to cope with greater prob
lens than we have had occasion TO in the past
and In the future dominate any emergency?
we have a population Of eighty millions OF
people: the country teens with young men full
OF life hope ard ambition. Why not give these
young mer a chance to develop our newly &C
qulred possessions and build up country
rivalling in grandeur and patriotism our own
United States?
Il say by all means hold on 10 all that right
fully belongs to US. II the great country west
Of the Rocky Mountains filled with WHO
Indians at the present moment. how long would
II take us to suppress them and make them re-
spect our laws and our Constitution? The same
thing applies TO the Philippines and any other
country that may fall into our hands by the
province Of peace or war.
1T is an insult to the American people, ana , 10
orr flag even 70 suggest that we abandon the
| peoples we have released from bondage, or. "nau
| would be more disgraceful. that we shouid oHer
70 sell them to the highest bidder. Such prop
osition places the American people IN the Same
category with the Chinese. who have neither
patriotism nor foreign policy. and are IN conse,
! nuence utilized as door-mat by the Powers OF
| the world.
This is too great question 70 be considered
! as a mere matter OF dollars and cents our
people want their rights protected; they VIII NOT
| figure on the cost. Bring II down TO local gov
| srrmart Il. the Of street-cleanIng the cry
| is We want clean streets, regardless OF the
| cost They demand them as their right JUST 30
| with our possessions; the people want the prop
/ critics acquired by war protected. They VIII pay
! for a standing Army. powerful Navy and the
| protection Of our flag the world over. regardless
| 81 anv monetary consideration. They nave
proved their Willingness 70 sacrifice their blood
/ for the honor Of their country and their nag.
/ And when the question is brought 70 an ISSUE
| they will arise as one man and demand eXpan-
| sion as a citizens sacred right.
Il think the 16-tO-1 question, as outlined IN the
Chicago platform. decidedly dead issue. lns
| was fully demonstrated In the last election. we
/ did not embodv the l6-tO-1 question In our plat
! form and the result Is that we elected every one
! - on Con grpSSQlpQ.'