Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-03-28
EXPANSION [

Expansion Il broad aud very sigDlf-
cant word. IL Is an attractive word. \
popular word. when applied to express
the growth and development OF the
mind, the growth OF noble and grand I'm
pulses, the extension of desirable estates
and the progress Of Christianity in the
world, IL Is n grand word. But when II
expresses folly and deluslon, disease
and death. war and criminslity, Ii loses
its aftractiveness. No one desires TO
see the germs Of small pox or any con-
tsaious disease expanded. Expansion
of hole In the pocket causes the loss OF
many pennies. Expansion OF murder
(Which seems 10 be the case In Maine
just now Of vice and crime and sensual
ity, IL an expansion In which we take no
pride. IL Is the sense In which the
word IL used that makes Il attractive or
repulsive. We hear at the present time
and read much Of expansion as applied
TO the great elephant on our hands
known az the Philippine Islands.
The question very naturally arises,
are they desirable territory TO be annex
ed to our already extensive domain The
discussion Of this question evolves many
and various views. Il a territory made
up Of over a thousand Islands, seven
thousand miles away, inhabited by an
almost savage and barbsrous race, with
climatic conditions detrimental 10
American life and labor, a desirable ac-
Quisitlon:
IL IL obvious from recent develop
ments that only military despotism can
10. IL hat
that will cost. Permit us TO quote what
Mr.. Carnegie says In an article on this
subject, and certainly his views are
worthy Of consideration. He says: "a
1.-THE OF the cost OF maintaining our sway
over the Philippines would improve our
internal waterways; deepen our harbors {;
build the Nlcaraguan canal; construct a
waterway To the ocean from the Great
Lakes; build an inland canal along the
Atlantic seaboard; canal across Florida.
saving 500 miles distance between New
York and New Orleans; connect Lake
Michigan with the Mississippi; deepen
all the hsrbors upon the lakes; build n
canal from Lake Erie to the Allegheny
River; slack water through movable
dams the entire length OF the Ohio River
TO Cairo, and thoroughly improve the
lower and upper Mississippi and all our
seaboard harbors. All these expenses
would be as nothing In cost In compsri-
son with the sums required for the ex-
pertinent Of possessing the Philippine
islands, seven thousand miles from our
shores"
Now each and all OF the above enum-
Grated improvements are very desirable
and would add untold wealth TO our
national resources, and put US upon
commercial and industrial basis without
peer In the wide world. And yet, con-
slider for moment, the effect should
our national congress vote sufficient APP
preparations st one session TO success
fully carry out all OF the above mention
ed improvements suggested by Mr..
Carnegie. What howl OF derision and
dismay would 20 up sll over the land.
Why, It would be said, Ii would bank
rupt the nation. IL would be termed
very fanstical idea. Too much expsn-
sion.
It IL lamentable that we have congress-
men, even statesmen, who are willing to
forever forego all those valuable i'm
provements In our own land In order
that we may possess those almost God
forsaken islands In the far-awsy ocean.
Suppose that the islands had been
rendered as free Of all expense before
the late, and yet unfinished, war, could
II have been desirable or profitable ac-
QUESTION?
Suppose that the town of Sumner, for
instance, should say TO q border town,
we cannot afford TO build new town
hall, repair roads, support schools, pro-
vide for our own unfortunate poor, but
we hear that your town n arbitrary and
hard on your paupers, and we will here
by take them of your hands aud care
for them during life. 1t might be q
humane act, but OF little advantage finan-
cially, morally or intellectually. Would
such q course be considered wise or
And yet, assuming all the paupers,
criminals and trsmps Of another country
would not be In our view 90 great
as the acquisition Of those, 90 |
much hankered for, Philippine Islands. |
The paupers, tramps and criminals 10
course Of time would die and the ex-
peDse cease, but the Philippine black |
elephant, never.
Once more. We quote from Carnegie
'Dszzled with oriental dreams, America |
must have immense standing armies.
fleets, and sink the re-
public In worldwide imperialism. God |
Il our fathers, forbid! Forbld!"
SLocuM.