The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-04
More Democratic precedents.


More Democratic Presidents.
The more adroit Of the Democratic
orators. who stfll cling to imperialism"
as the paramount issue. are striving
strenuousiy to break down the force OF
the argument that. In the acquisition
Of the Philippines and In the proposals
to govern them without admitting them
into the union OF states. the admins
tration IL but following historic Demo-
cratic presidents. Thus Mr.. Bourke
Cochran announces: Jefferson took
territory to avoid war" Jefferson
took contiguous territory TO do justice
and avoid the provocation OF war in
the future jefferson took territory
TO incorporate It into the union OF states
and extend over II the benefcent infiu-
ence OF our constitution ana integrity
OF our nag"
To the gentlemen who advance argu-
ments Of this character It might be
well to address inquiries as to whether
the Hawaiian islands, in 1853, were con-
tiguous territory: whether there was
at that time any prospect OF those is
lands ever having permanent white
population sunicientiy numerous to
support . state government: and wheth-
er. AZ a matter Of fact, the Hawaiian
islands In 1858 were not Infinitely more
remote from the United states than the
Philippine islands are today'
Yet we md that in 1863 Mr.. Marcy.
secretary Of state in the cabinet OF
President Pierce. a Democrat OF ma
tionai standing. one Of the leading law
yers OF the United States. an ardent
follower OF Jefferson. and a firm beiiev-
er in the Jefersonian theories OF con-
stitutionai Interpretation. strongly adj
vocated the taking over OF the Hawaiian
islands by the United States.
In wharton's international Law Dr.
gest, VOL l.. pp. 421-422. are to be found
number Of letters from Secretary
Marcy to Mr.. Gregg. dated az various
times In 1854. from which the follow
ing extracts are made:
This government will receive the trans
fer OF the sovereignty Of the Sandwich
tsiands. with all proper provisions rela-
tive to the existing rights and interests
OF the people thereof. such as are usual
and appropriate 10 territorial sovereignty.
II will be the object OF the United States,
II clothed with the sovereignty OF the
country. to promote It's growth and pros
perity. This consideration alone ought TO
be sufncfent assurance 70 the people that
their rfghts and interests will be duly
cherished by this government
III any foreign connection Is to be
formed the geographical position OF these
islands indicates that II should be with
us"
Secretary Marcy was a far-seeing
statesman He was one OF the few men
OF his day who had conception OF the
future growth OF the territories border
ing on the Pacific. and who realized
that the future commerce OF Asia was
destined In time 70 be handled through
the Pacific ports OF the United States.
For these reasons he advocated the ac-
QUESTION Of the Hawaiian islands. On
this subject he said In one Of these let
tiers:
The intercourse between cur Pacific
ports and the ports Of the distant Enst ia
destined, perhaps, to be on as large a
scale as that which we now enjoy with
all the world. and the vessels engaged in
that trade must ever resort 20 the sand
wieh islands for fuel and other supplies.
as has ever been the case with our whale
ships Ia their outward and inward way.
aSss. II is consequently Indispensable
70 our welfare that the policy which gov
erns them should be liberal. and that /,
continue free from the control OF any
third country
This Is how Democrats statesmen 81
the old school, far-seeing men who an
tieipated the growth and commercial
expansion of this country. looked nfty
years ago upon the proposition 70 ac-
qaite distant Islands % the sea. with a
tesEDinw native population: islands
which u was not contemplated at the
time could ever hecosn. entitled 70
statehood In the Unioa- How Jefferson
ard Marcy and Democratic statesmen
% that school would have sconed and
ieFtded the puersle arguments az the
men now carrying the historic Demo
cratic banner, that such an acquisition
would necessarily smack OF Imperial
lsrnr'
The Use % the automobile In war 1.