Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-08
CRY OF IMPERIALISM
Republicans Declare the Issue Mere
Fiction.
EXPANSION UNDER ALL PARTIES
Administration Broke the Yoke OF
ImperiaIistic Government.
ARMIES OF THE WORLD

THE Kansas City platform declares that
the paramount issue of the campaign Is i'm
periaIism,'" says the republican campaign
text book This was concession of the
ruling spirits to a defeated faction. After
Bryan and his fellow champions Of free
silver had forced their specific reiteration
of the demand for the free coinage Of sill
yer at 10 to 1, thus carrying the main point
OF their fight they were willing to salye
the defeat of the more conservative portion
by appearing to put forward another ques-
ton.
sImperialism" Fiction.
THE so-caled issue of imperialism is
fiction There is and can be no such thing
as imperialism under a republican form OF
government. The democratic convention
did not dare to array itself against expan-
sion. 1t we'll knew two things-frst. that
the expansion which has come as the fruit
OF the Spanish war was the inevitable ne
cessity OF its conditions. and, second, that
the great body of the American people rec
ogniZe this truth and accept the present
results as unavoidable and settled. The
convention, therefore, took good care not
to declare itself against this popular senti-
ment, and in place of 1t undertook TO make
q fictitious issue. But there Is no such
expansion. This Is proved by our past his
tory and by the present situation.
s What Is imperialism so-called? What
do the creators of this fiction mean by 1t?
Imperialism is sovereign rule without law.
1t is the government OF a people by per-
sonal will. Law comes 10 the people through
their representatives. Where law rules i'm
perfalism does not and cannot exist. The
President of the United States has no power
and exercises none except by virtue of law.
When he exercises the war newer he does 1t
under law. When he exercises the power
to suppress insurrection against the author
ity of the United States he does 1t by COM
mand Of law.
There Is No Imperialism.
Apply these fundamental truths to the
present situation 1t cannot be pretended
that there Is any imperialism as to Porto
Rico. Porto Rico having passed beyond
ths necessity and the period Of military
government, Is governed by law OF Con-
gross passed for that purpose. This law
prescribes It's form of government, estab-
fishes It's governor and other administra-
tive officers creates legislative body to
represent the people. and provides for the
complete machinery Of civil government
The President himself exercises no au-
thority In Porto Rico except as directed by
this law. There Is, then, no Imperialism
there.
How about the PhilippinesY 1t is equal
ly true that the President exercises no au-
thority in the Philippines except by virtue
Of law. The power under which he Ia sup
pressing instruction Is conferred by the
Constitution. which Is the highest law. The
power under which he establishes military
government. or creates temporary civil au-
thority pending the action Of Congress- is
conferred by law. He would violate law
IL he did not use his power to suppress in
surrection. That is. If he failed to do just
what he is doing now. he would set up
his own will against the command of
law, and to set up individual will without
law or against law Is Imperialism The
tx,% TO-
adherence Of Imperialism would itself be
imperialism, while the action which they
condemn Imperialism Is itself obedience
to law.
Conditions I'm Philippines.
THE existing conditions In the Philip
pines will be changed when the instruction
shall be fully suppressed and when Con-
gIess shall determine Congress did not
pass law for the government of the Phil
ippines. as It did for Porto Rico. because
tho Philippines were not ripe for it, The
insurrection must first be suppressed and
the authority OF the United States fully
recognized. Congress did not act on the
subject because the President was exer-
cising the war power. and IL wanted him
TO continue exercising 1t until its purpose
was accomplished. The very fact that Con-
gress did not act was equivalent to a decla-
ration that the existing law under which
the President is ding is required for
this emergency and thar the time had not
yet come for further law. The essential
fact Is that every step which the President
has taken Is in conformity with law recog-
niZed and approved by Congress In session
at the time. and where law rules there can
be no such thing as Imperialism.
Former Experiences In Expansion.
This lesson Is confirmed and made COM
pIete by a review of our history. We have
had repeated expansions. We have from
time TO time acquired new territory and
new peoples. In every case our government
has dealt with the new territory and its
INHABITANTS precisely as our government
Is dealing with the present new territory