The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-12
THE DEMOCRATS CANNOT FAVOR A
COLONIAL POLICY.

Yesterday we made reply to the adj
vice given to Democrats by the Philadel-
phia Times with reference to the atti-
tude of the party as to the war IN
the Philippines. The Times not only
SAYS the Democrats must ''cut loose
from their opposition to the vigorous
prosecution Of the war; a statement
which we endorsed il this country was
unwilling to end the war by honorable
means which We're pointed out. If the
war is to be pressed, it ought to be
prosecuted vigorously and brought to
an end The fretence at war and the
incompetency of Otis are disgraceful to
our country If war to the death it is
to be, let it be vigorous, short, and de-
cisive.
But there is one other admonition of
the Times which the Democrats cannot
under any circumstances take. 1t is
that they "cut loose from their opposi-
ton to holding as American colonies our
new Spanish possessions. That is TO
say that. if it hopes to win, the Demo
cracy must advocate the holding "AS
AMERICAN COLONIES our new
Spanish possessions If that is the price
to be paid for success, the Democratic
party will not pay it.
The Democratic party does not believe
hot he 10 Of Tn 4 70
out of date. 1t is actuated by the feel
ing that Lincoln said had guided him,
to-wit: Il never had a feeling politically
that did not spring from the sentiments
Of the. Declaration of independence"
That declaration emphasizes that s'all
governments derive their just powers
from the consent of the governed" 1t
follows that no man who believes in the
Declaration can advocate holding Cuba
or the Philippines ..as American colo
MES"
The Democratic party is sincerely at
tached to the teachings of Washington
and Jefferson, who warned us against
entangling alliances and established
government which cannot have colonies
without subverting its very mud-sills.
The Democratic party cherishes the
Monroe Doctrine as second in impor-
lance only to the Declaration of Inde-
pendence. 1t will not acquiesce in the
population of that doctrine which will
become dead ID ter the day Congress
enters upon colonial policy We can
not demand to be masters of this hemis-
phere when we go into the other to take
part with England, Germany and
France in scramble for land far be-
yond our seas.
The Democratic party believes in the
policy Of national expansion and proudly
points to the fact that it was under
Democratic rule that every foot Of adj
Louisiana to Oregon and California
was added as a part of this Republic
That territory was not added with a
view to n colonial policy, but to make
it a part of the American Republic
where the people in the new States crea-
ted would have all the blessings of lib
erty and control enjoyed by the citi-
zens of the original Thirteeni States.
That is the sort of expansion that Is
consistent with the spirit Of our govern
ment, and that adds to its glory and
honor.
A colonial policy cannot be adopted
without destroying the Republic We
may have colonies, Imperialism, mill
tarism, scandals and the other incidents
and still call this a Republic. If so. it
is Republic in name only, and is shorn
of those attributes of equality and
justice that have made it the most
perfect government in the world.
The Democratic party, whose found
er wrote the Declaration of Indepen-
dence and inspired the Monroe Doctrine,
will not be party to destroying the
Republic as Washington and Jefferson
established it, If the refusal to strike
the blow that ends government by the
consent of the governed" brings the
Democratic party to defeat, it will well
come defeat, knowing that 1t is tenn
porary and that when the pandora S
box of colonial ills has been fully opened
the people of the Republic will enquire
again for ''the ancient landmarks which
the fathers have set''
A man may be the lnoneyed factor