The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-07
And Incidentally Says the 16-tO-1
Issue. as Outlined in the Chicago
Platform, Is n Dead Issue.
BRYAN At A JACKSON FEAST
PICTURES THE "EIORRORs" OF Ex-
FANsION TO CINCINNATIANs,
And Intimates the Administration Is
Trying to Gag All Those Who
Oppose Its Policy.

NEW YORK, Jan. 6.-The Journal and Ad-
vertiser will tomorrow print the following
statement given out tonight by Richard
Croker:
"T believe in expansion: believe in hold
ing whatever possessions we have gained by
annexation, purchase or war This policy
is not only patriotic. but it is the only safe
one to pursue Any other policy would
show weakness on the part of the United
States and invite foreign complicatio
This must be avoided hence our policy must
be vigorous. Jefferson was an eXpansionist;
otherwise he would not have favored the
acquisition of Louisiana, with its foreign
population, which in Jefferson's time. was
quite as remote as the Philippines. In this
age of steam and electricity distance is no
argument against expansion.
I'VE spend millions annually for mission
ary work in foreign countries. Now he have
chance to spend this money in our own
possessions and make the people of our own
lands good, law-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 as powerful and patriotic
as the English people? The United States
is the only country earth superior to the
English. Why not illustrate to the world
that we are fully able TO cope with greater
problems than we have had occasion to in
the past and in the future dominate any
emergency.
1--WE have a population of eighty millions
of people; the country teens with young
men full of life, hope and ambition. Why
not give these young men a chance to de-
velop our newly-acquired possessions and
build up country rivaling in grandeur and
patriotism our own United States?
Il say by all means hold on to all that
rightfuly belong to us. If the great coun-
try west of the Rocky mountains were filed
with wild Indians at the present moment,
how long would it take us to suppress them
and make them respect 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 war.
1T is an insult to the American people
and to our flag even to suggest that we
abandon the peoples we have released from
bondage, or what would be more disgrace
full that we should offer to sell them to
the highest bidder. Such a proposition
places the American people in the same
category with the Chinese, who have nei-
ther patriotism nor a foreign policy, and
are in consequence, utilized as a door mat
by the powers of the world.
This is too great a question to be consid-
cred as mere matter of dollars and cents.
Our people want their rights protected;
they will not figure on the cost. Bring it
down to local government, in the case of
street cleaning, the cry is We want clean
Streets regardless of the cost They de-
mand them as their right. Just so with our
possessions, the people want the properties
acquired by war protected. They will pay
for a standing army, a powerful navy and
the protection of our flag the world over re-
garGess of any monetary consideration.
They have proved their willingness to sac
rihce their blood for the honor of their
country and their flag. And when the ques-
tion is brought to an issue they will arise
as one man and demand expansion, as a
citizens sacred right
''I think the 16-to-1 question. outlined
in the Chicago platform, a decidedly dead
issue. This was fully demonstrated in the
last election. We did not embody the 16-to-1
question IN our platform. and the result is
that we elected every one of our congress
men,