The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-18
EXPANSION POPULAR.

1-hh
The attempt of the Democratic party to
make Imperialism the paramount issue of
the campaign is in accordance with it's GUS
tom of appealing to popular passion, preju-
dice and ignorance. rather than to intelIi-
gence. The intelligence of the country ap-
proves the results of the war with Spain
and the policy of the administration to-
wards our new possessions. There is not an
intelligent American capable Of taking a
broad and patriotic view of affairs and of
of the country who does not rejoice hat
as a result of the war the domain OF mon
archical government has been curtailed and
that of republican government extended.
Nor is there a single intelligent American
who regards this extension of the area of
republicanism as involving any danger to
our institutions. The contrary view is an
attempt to scare the unthinking masses by
appealing to superficial emotions and MAX
ing them believe that their liberties are
endangered by the extension of republican
government over new territories. The pas
sionate appeals to rally to the defense of
the Declaration Of independence and the
wild talk about the threatened destruction
of our free institutions are addressed to
popular passion, not to popular intelligence.
1.-THE burning issue of Imperialism says
the Kansas City platform, involves the
very existence of the Republic and the de-
struction of our free Institutions" II there
were any such thing in existence or con-
templated as imperialism, this might be
true. but as there is not 1t is simply an
ignorance.
Unless the Journal is much mistaken, the
Bryanites will find, before the campaign
has progressed far, that in thus ignoring the
intelligence and patriotism of the people
and appealing to passion and ignorance,
they have made as great a mistake as they
did in doing the same thing on the money
question. When the truth is known it will
be found that a very large majority of the
American people are in favor of expansion
and do not fear Imperialism. Expansion is
a reality and Imperialism is a myth. One
II a itdi iSSuc anu Tie OlHtI 10 luduuldC-
tured. Expansion is popular with all ex-
cept a small coterie of small Americans.
and the people will vote for ii without any
fear of Imperialism. If the trainers of the
Philadelphia platform made any mistake,
it was in not co~ngratulating the American
people on the recent acquisition of Hawaii,
Porto Rico and the Philippines, and on the
prospective extension of the benefits and
blessings of republican government in new
and virgin fields. AS President Mckinley
happily said in his speech Of acceptance on
Thursday: ITO the party of Lincoln has
come another supreme opportunity which
il has bravely met in the liberation of
10000. 900 of the human family from the yoke
of Imperialism" TIL thinking portion of
the American people, who. after all, are a
this light. and will vote in favor of ex-
pansion-the expansion of territory, the
expansion of liberty. the expansion of re-
publican government, the expansion of
Americanism. Expansion is so popular I'm
the Pacific coast States and in the South
lhdl HO DcliioCIdllC COuNcHliOH III those
States will declare against it. They may
denounce imperialism in some vague phrase,
but they will not declare in favor of aban-
doning any territory we have acquired. In
some of these States the Democratic party
is already on record in favor of expansion.
The California state convention, in 1898,
said: 1--WE are opposed to the surrender TO
Spain of any of the territory that has been
acquired by American valor and the ex-
penditure of the blood and treasure of our
people," The Democratic state convention
of Colorado said: 1--WE favor the independ-
ence of Cuba and the retention by this
government Of the other Spanish West In
dia possessions, and the control of all other
Spanish territories taken by American
forces in the war just closed" Many lead
ing Democrats in the South. including sew
eral United States senator's. have declared
i'm favor of retaining the Philippines, and
no Southern Democratic convention will
take different ground. The Journal pre-
diets that before the campaign is ended
the Bryanites will be very tired of their
paramount ISSUE