Iron County register., 1899-09-14
As to "Nagging. 7"
The Pennington Times says:

IACNC uC 10 IuS SuOdu duu l. OE
to Rican as we'll. The last two is
lands are our neares: seacoast neigh
bors and ought to belong to the United
States because of their geographical
proximity and strategical Importance
whenever such annexation can be
brought about with the free consent of
their people. This view of expansion
has about it no taint of Imperialism
but is in close accord with a clearly
expressed desire of the father of the
democratic party in America.
\ We can't see what these papers
hope to gain or how they expect to
benefit the cause of Democracy by con-
tinually nagging at one of its ablest
and most earnest leaders.
Although the above is general in its
nature, the REGISTER accepts to itself
a goodly share of the intended rebuke.
Brother, let US counsel together!
First of all, the REGISTER is no nag
ger, and would not be one if it could.
1t is Democratic paper and its editor
a Democrat from conviction as he un-
derstands Democracy. If his concep-
tion of Democratic principles is wrong;
If they stand for anything else than
that he has been led to believe they
do; if they can be so manipulated as
to cover any wrong done in the ext
gence of passing events or in submis-
sion to present conditions-then, in
deed, is he no Democrat, nor does he
desire to be classed as one. Demo
cratic principle is truth, and truth, we
are assured, has the eternal years of
God. Then how vain, how foolish,
how criminal, to desert it in the hour of
need! That hour of need comes direst
when its accepted apostles are carried
by popular clamor from that straight
and narrow path which, only, leads to
any goal, temporal or spiritual, worthy y
the attainment. And shall they not be
criticised - condemned when wrong.
sustained when right? Shall Demo
cratic paper supinely submit to error
because, forsooth, put forth by one the
party has delighted to honorP
When Gov. Stone formulated and
pushed to adoption the Porto Rican
plank of last years platform, he did
more to weaken-we say it advisedly-
the Democratic party in Missouri than
all the nagging OF all the naggers in
the State could accomplish in decade.
That plank is un Democratic, out
rageous. heretieal. If it does not rise
up to condemn US next year when the
most momentous struggle of the CEN
tury is on, then the common enemy
shall have lost his wisdom and his
tongue its cunning. Let US read it to-
gether, Bro. Times:
And since the prosecution OF the war
has entailed great loss to US of both
life and treasure, we demand that Por-
to Rico and all Spanish territory in the
West Indies, except Cuba, shall be
seized by the United States or be taken
by possession of arms and held under
the sovereignty of this country.
How much of the "consent of the
governed" is in this plank, brotherP
Because the Maine was blown up in
Havana harbor, therefore we seize
upon Porto Rico and subject its people
to our rule, will they, mill they.
Because we licked Spain out of her
boots for her various iniquities, there
fore we assume the right to abrogate
the Declaration of Independence.
Because the licking of Spain cost a
good deal of treasure and some blood,
therefore the innocent victims of her
tyranny and oppression for hundred
years become the lawful prey of the
victor, their courts are wiped out and
military tribunals substituted - an
alien race put in -bayonetted master
ship over them!
Faugh! The wicked thing doesn'.
even have the merit of logic in its
composition.
Does the Times favor the making of
a peterborough of Porto Rico, whose
voice, under the guidance of the bay
onet, shall always be given for the
present master? Or does the Times
believe that the island should be held
as colony ia perpetuo? The latter,
it is true, is forbidden by the funda-
mental law of the Republic as inter-
preted by our highest court; but we
are well aware that the Constitution is
fast becoming a back number. Ad-
mitting that Imperialism is not in con-
fiict with the written design of the
Fathers. then our cannon-battered ac-
QUESTIONS must be ruled from Wash
ington. To rule them effectively ad-
ditional power must be lodged with
the Chief Executives; the army must
be increased, and military rule-the
will of the governed. Too much Fed
eral power-according to Democratic
teaching-already threatens the over
turning of this free government; then
how iniquitous to advocate a purpose
which shall still further enhance that
power-still more greatly imperil the
liberties of the people!
How a Democrat can, for the twink