The Irish standard., 1900-08-25
OPPOSED TO IMPERIALISM
Is the Rev. ]. NJ. Cleary, Pastor Of
st. Charles Church.

St SAOAASS NAuAShs
Friday night, Aug. II, about 1000
persons congregated OH the vacant lot
opposite Father Cleary's residence on
Thirteenth avenue S. to participate in
an ice cream social and to bid goodbye
to the popular priest before his de-
parture for Europe. The gathering
was largely composed of his own pa
rishioners, but many of his friends of
every denomination from all parts of
the city were present The social was
grand success in every way. The
young ladies Of the parish served re-
freshments to their numerous guests
and an orchestra discoursed sweet
music that floated on the night air for
blocks around. After 10 o'clock Fa.
Their Cleary assembled Il temporary
platform and delivered an address on
expansion and imperialism. His patri-
otto utterances evoked hearty ap-
plause. He spoke in part as follows:
"Whilc belong to no political creed,
and am not biased by any party preju.
dices, l do not hesitate to say that l
am an eXpansionist. 1 believe in Amer
lean expansion, because 1 believe in
America. 1 believe that every true
American should do all in his power to
spread the blessings enjoyed under our
wise government to the other and less
fortunate nations of the earth. 1t is
blessing, and securing it to others
is an act worthy of a true lover Of hui
manity.
"While believe in this form of ex.
pansion, l most certainly am not in
favor of forcing our government upon
an unwilling people. 1t is the greatest
government since the dawn of civili-
cation, because it recognizes mans in
herent right to manhood, and that is
one reason why it should not be thrust
on people who resist it, to the point Of
the sword.
II would be glad to see it go broad
cast over the earth. / would want
every human being on the face of the
earth to enjoy it's blessings but let it
so Willingly. l believe that every hon
est American who does not believe that
the Declaration Of Independence is an
obsolete document, will be an eXpan,
sionist, but their warfare will be to
teach all children of men that they
can find the highest form Of happiness
beneath our flag, where man is the
sovereign, and no one rules by divine
right.
God has given men the right to
govern themselves, and therefore
while | am an eXpansionist l am not
an imperialist, who would force our
system Of government upon a people
| without their consent. l have no party,
and l state my feeling as an American
citizen. There is crisis in the his
tory of our country. Every Ameri-
can should become familiar with our
system of government, and then teach
it to those who do not know it, not be,
| cause it is our government, but be,
cause it is right. And might does not
make right. We are the strongest ma
ton on the globe, but that is no reason
why we should conquer the weaker
| nations on the other side of the earth.
1t is not necessary to make unwilling
subjects of people across the distant
seas in order that our commerce be
extended and our trade flourish there.
That will come without the conquest
of the people. Rather let us always
keep in mind that a true government
is for the people, by the people and of