The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-06-22
LOOKS TO CLEVELAND.
The New York Herald Cries Out
Against Imperialism.

Chicago, June 22.@The Record has
the following dispatch from New York;
The Herald this morning prints an
editorial under the caption The United
States Cannot Afford to Be a Baby
Empire. What Is the Matter with Mr..
Cleveland for Our Next President?f 1t
was written by James Gordon Bennett,
and says:
After an existence of a century and
a quarter as country where the gov
eminent derives authority solely from
the consent Of the governed the United
states IS turning its back upon It's
own history and traditions. From a
free Democracy it is in danger of be-
coming tyrannical, imperiaiiStic
oligarchy. The adult republic seems to
De entering its second childhood as a
baby empire.
AS a sign that it has deserted the
principles of individual freedom, upon
which It was founded, it is at this
present moment trying to cram It's rule,
at the bayonets point, down the threats
Of the people-Filipinos, Cubans and
Porto Ricaas-whom the declaration of
independence says were created equal,
with certain inalienable rights among
which are life, liberty and the pursuit
Of happiness
AS far as the F'ilipinos are concern
ed, the United States is doing its
'damnedest' to ALLEVIATE all three of
these Inalienable rights Their lives
have been taken, they have been robbed
of their liberty and instead of pur-
SL44AS Aek'pA44SSS llAe-l are D6llS EQISuG0
like wild beasts into the savage inter
ior of their native islands; and all be-
cause they believed. like the American
colonists Of 1875 that they were justi-
fed in trying to institute a new govern
ment in conformity with their legiti-
mate desires and needs when the old
one imposed upon them by Spain had
become intOlerable
1T is about time to face the situa-
ton squarely- The United States can
not, will not, allow the war to continue
much longer
1T is high time the United States
woke up and pulled out Of the imperial
business The game is not worth the
candle, for that way ruin lies.
1t is not surprising that the Demo-
Gratis have seized upon this Philippine
failure, this drifting from safe national
mornings out upon the uncertain sea Of
imperialism, as an issue in the coming
campaign If they were wise enough to
make 1t the one paramount issue, throw
silveriSm overheard and nominate a
candidate with the craftsmanship to
grasp the situation and the courage to
meet 1t, such, for example, as Grover
Cleveland, who has proved himself a
man of brains and backbone, indepen-
dent alike of congressional bulldozing
and party dictation, Mr.. McKinley's
/ days in the White House would be
1 numbered.
THE real national mission of the
/ United States is a pacific and CONNER
/ cial one. Such a mission is the worst
j
! aspirations.
! Imperialism is military, not a com
! mercial ambition, and is one that by a
strange fatality destroys those that
/ cherish it. The republics Of history lie
/ buried in the ashes Of empire. Is the
United States getting all ready to be
4 added to the heap2
! The United States cannot afford to be
I a baby empire. It can afford to stand
/ off and watch the baby empire of Eng
I land, the baby empire of Germany,
worry with their troubles.
This truth wants driving home to
/ the American people, but by whom2 The
! American Democracy is in sore straits
for lack of a leader possessed of sound
discern justly where the country's true
/ interests lie.
Mr.. Cleveland is just such a man.
[ termined viii kept the country from
taking over SPANS troubles for two
| years. It was from no lack of cOura ge
Mr.. Cleveland, in fact, proved this, for
he is the only American president who
ever went fearlessly into the British
/ lions den and twisted its tall as he
did over the Venezuela question II
both the British and Spanish difficulties
he showed sound judgment, shrewd com
mon sense. hrmness and breadth OF
view. He refused to bully the weak OF
/ to cringe to the strong He was the
rudder Of the government, not the fig
1 urehead-
That is why the Herald asks: fWha'
is the matter with Mr.. Cleveland fol
7ara