Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-03-02
JEFFERSON THE ExrAxsIONlsr.

0CTallC party WAS NEe "a 4Soo'"
sana. Indeed, the whole structure OF De-
mocracy stands to-day on Thomas Jefer-
son. and the greatest deed ever performed
By Jefferson was the annexation OF Louis
lana. Therefore. the Democratic party was
born an expansionist party. and in its atti-
tude to-day il is violating its principles and
traditions.
In one Of his many utterances against
the ratification of the Paris treaty, Senator
Vest grudginGly admitted that Jefferson
had been an cXpansionist. not in principle,
but because he was suddenly confronted
with an opportunity which came like a
flash and which promised so much for his
country that he was led TO lay aside his
tVettled convictions for the moment That
{this is a false statement of the position Of
!, Jefferson must be known TO every reader
OF American history. That it should be
made by a senator of the United States
ian only be accounted for in the fact that
from the beginning of the Philippines con-
sr0versy the whole Democratic party has
,een engaged in bclying its own history
nd performances. and naturally a cam
laign of deceit has led on 10 more and
more of falsehood.
Jefferson was no; surprised by the op-
posfunity TO annex Louisiana. For years
he had been laboring 10 bring about this
opportunity. So essential did he deem the
h6nexatior of this vast domain that he
vas ready TO plunge his country into 4
loody war if need be 10 attain ii. When
ecretary of state in 1870. thirteen years
(efore the date of annexation, at q time
when there appeared 10 be some danger OF
Ereat Britain Selling New Orleans. JEFF
erson wrote 10 Washington that rather
han see Louisiana and Florida added TO
British possessions. the United States
)ula have the risk of joining in the
leral war which seems now impending"
the same letter. too. he served notice on
France that this American territory must
be let alone. as IFS inevitable destiny made
1t the propertxsp6 the American republic.
Again i'm lsGzs ben there was talk Of
Louisiana beIn95ceded to France. Jeffer-
sou wrote TO Livingston saying that Louis
lana must become the property OF the
United States. and from this letter we
quote as follows: The day that France
puSstSFioii vi NC" AANs ~
sentence which Is 10 restrain her forever
within her low-water mark. 1t seals the
union of two nations. who. IN conjunction.
can maintain exclusive possession OF the
ocean. From that moment W. must marry
ourselves to the British fleet and nation.
We must turn all our attention TO a mar
itime force. for which our recourses place
Us on a very high ground: and. having
formed and connected together a power
which may render reinforcements OF her
settlements hero impossible to France.
make the first cannon which shall be fired
in Europe the signal for tearing up any
settlement she may have made. and for
holding the two continents of America In
demonstration for the common purposes OF
the united British and American nations"
And this is the man who Is alleged 10
have become an eNpans!onist through the
accident of the moment. Here vi lind him
advocating. while president OF the United
States. that not only should We expand
over nj the North American continent.
but also over the South American CONT
neut as well. and at the same time declare
eng for a British alliance that would enable
US TO rule the oceans of the world. II
there Is any so-called ''!mperialist" of
the present day who has gone quite SO
far as this father OF the Democratic party.
re cannot now call him TO mind.
The manner in which Jefferson made the
Louisiana purchase IS in itself sufficient 10
show the entirety with which he believed
in a policy OF expansion. Himself a close
constructions and n great believer in
staying close to the people. he nevertheless
defied public sentiment. set aside the con-
Stitution, and far exceeded the authority
lodged in him by congress. He was author
SEED by congress TO negotiate for the puT-
chase OF New Orleans alone. Instead he
negotiated for the purchase OF all the
French possessions on American soil. and
when called TO account FOR this he said in
n message to congress-: THE constitution
has made no provision for our holding
foreign territory: still less for incorporat-
ing foreign nations into our union. The
executive has done an act beyond the con-
Institution. The legislature. in casting be-
Mind them metaphysical subtleties. ana
xisking themselves ike faithful servants.
must ratify and pay for ii. and throw
Themselves on their country for doing for
them unauthorized what we know they
would have done for themselves had they
been In \ situation TO do II. 1 thought II
my duty TO risk myself for you. But We
shall not he disayowed by the nation. and
their net OF indemnity will confirm and
not weaken the constitution. 10y more
strongly marking out its lines" And Il
hide later. when the attorney general
raised the question OF the cons;itutionali:y
Of the purchase. jefferson said: The less
that is said ahou, any constitutional diff
nculty. the better. Congress should do
what 10 necessary IN silence. l find hu;
. oDnsa about the necessity OF shutting
" Tie eonstituttoa for some time"
A. then this alleged great snti-expan-