Evening star., 1899-09-16
EXPANSION TO BE THE ISSUE
Representative Eddy Says That Every One
is Discussing Our Foreign Policy.
Little Interest Being Taken in the
Money Question-PeopIe Want
Nations Honor Maintained.

1.-THE foreign policy of the United States,
or, more properly speaking. the question of
expansion, will be the issue in the pres-
Dental campaign next year." said Repre-
sentative Frank NJ. Eddy of Minnesota to-
day.
During the congressional interim I have
travelled across the continent from Boston
to Seattle, and the theme that is upper
most in the public mind is What will be
the outcome of the Philippine war; OF
course, our policy as to Hawaii, Cuba and
Porto Rico, while not so generally dis
cussed, is nevertheless of equal Importance
with the Philippine question.
Political conventions cannot make party
issues in their platforms. In 1885, not
withstandng the fact that the tariff was
really an issue. that the majority of people
wanted the Wilson bill wiped out of exist
ence and protective measure adopted, the
money question became the leading ques-
ticn. Men of all classes. in every branch of
business and department of life, were talk
ing about silver and gold, and from the
oIening to the close of the campaign in
1896 all other questions became secondary.
AT this time the money question is talk
ed about very little. Business men do not
want to discuss it They are prospering
and increasing their trade. Prices of all
manufactured goods are on the rise. farm
products are bringing substantial returns,
labor is in such demand that it is impOssi-
BILE in the west to find men enough to help
take care of the immense crops and help
the farmers with their falls work. And
the rantings of the few free silver agitators
in various parts of the country are scarce
ly needed by the commercial interests.
Foreign Policy the Issue.
"On the other hand, every body is talking
about our foreign policy. The democrats
always looking for an issue, would nomi-
nate Admiral Dewey at the drop of the
hat If he should express himself as in any
way opposed to the policy of the admins
tration in its handling OF the Philippine
question.
I'm fact, they are hoping that Dewey will
say something on his return which can be
construed as hostile to President Mckfn-
ley's position of maintaining the national
honor after giving the natives of the Phil
ippines every possible chance to accept a
most liberal scheme for self-government
"Out west we have a few followers of
Atkinson and Aguinado. They talk about
the terrible war OF determination being
carried on in the Philippines, and allude to
Aguinaldo as second George Washington
Settling the CurbstOne Orators.
whenever I hear one of these curbstone
orators talking up in my district 1 imme-
diately challenge him to joint debate. The
terms l make are most liberal. l offer to
allow him to do all of the talking and
abuse and traduce the American arms and
flag all he desires. The only condition
exact is that when he has talked himself
out, and providing there is still an audi
ence who have listened to what he had to
say, he proposes three cheers for
Aguinaldo. the second George Washington
After he has done this my proposition Is
to propose three cheers for the President
of the United States and the army and
| navy of the United States. A count CT
noses is to be taken as to the number in
| the audience who side with Aguinaldo and
these who vote to sustain this government,
and that will settle the debate and the At
kinsonian disciple.
Tho sentiment of the country. in my
| opinion, and from the observations I have
made. is overwhelmingly in favor of MAIN
| tanning American supremacy over every
| foot of territory which came to us a re-
| suit of the with Spain. The anti-eX-
| pansionists of the east have really done
| President Mckinley good turn by their
| examinations. For they have aroused the
! sentiment of the people and made an Issue
| that will be settled in the presidential cleo
| ton next year. and settled right, as every
question involving American dignity and
| honor has always been settle1 when SUBJ
| r,itte cd IN ha