Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-09


parties manifested a lively interest in
the success OF the Cubans. but now,
| when o war is in progress in South
Africa which must result in the ex-
tension of the monarchial idea. or in
the triumph of a republic. the advo-
Gates OF Imperialism in this country
dare not say word in behalf OF the
Beers.
SYMPATHY FOR THE BOERS.
sympathy for the Beers does not
arise from any unfriendliness toward
England: the American people are not
unfriendly toward the people of any ma
ton. This sympathy is due to the fact
that. as stated in our platform, we be-
lieve In the principle OF selfgovernment
and reject, as did our forefatherS, the
claims Of monarchy. If this nation sur
renders its belief In the universal APP
plication Of the principles set forth in
the Declaration of independence, 1t will
lose the prestige and influence which 1t
has enjoyed among the nations as an
exponent of popular government
Our opponents, conscious of the weak
ness OF their cause. seek to confuse i'm
perialism with expansion. and have
even dared to claim Jefferson as
supporter of their policy. jefferson
spoke so freely and used language with
such precision that no one can be igno-
rant of his views. On one occasion he
declared: IF there be one principle
more deeply rooted than any other in
the mind of every American, 1t is that
we should have nothing to do with con-
quest" And again he said Conquest
is not I'm our principles; it is inconss-
tent with our government"
FORCIBLE ANNEXATION
The forcible annexation of territory
to be governed by arbitrary power
differs as much from the acquisition of
territory to be built up into States as
| n monarchy diffnrS n
| The Democratic party does not oppose
expansion. when expansion enlarscs
the area Of the republic and incorpo-
| rates land which can DC settled by
| American citizens. or adds to our pop
| ulation people who are willing to be-
| come citizens and are capable of dis
charging their duties as such. Tho
| acquisition of the Louisiana territory
| Florida. Texas and other tracts which
lave been secured from time TO time
enlarged tho republic. and the Consti-
| tuition followed the flag into the new
territory. 1t Is now proposed TO seize
| upon distant territory, already more
densely populated than our own coun-
| try, and TO force upon tho people q
| government for which there is no war
rant in our Constitution or our laws
| Even the argument that this earth be-
| longs TO those who desire to cultivate
it and have the physical power TO ac-
quire 1t. cannot be invoked to justify
! the appropriation OF the Philippine Is
lands by the United States. lr the Is
! lands were uninha blted American cit
! liens would not be willing TO go there
and till the soil The Willie race will
not live SO near the equator. Other
nations have tried To culoni1c in the
! same latitude. The Netherlands have
controlled Java FOR three hundred
years, and yet to-day there are less
than 90 900 people or European birth
| ~ 600 ono natives.
After n century and u half OF English
domination in India, less than one
twentieth of one per cent. OF the peo-
pie OF India are OF English birth. aud
il requires an army or 10000 British
soldiers to take care OF the tax collec-
tors Spain has asserted title to the
Philippine Islands for three centuries.
and vet when our fleet entered Manila
Hny, there were less than 10000 Span
iards residing in the Philippines.
\ colonial policy means that we shall
send to the Philippines a few traders.
few masters and a few Office holders,
and an army large enough TO support
the authority of a small fraction OF the
people while they rule the natives.
- EVILS OF IMPERIALISM
must have n large standing army as its
| must have a large standing army at Its
| natural and necessary complement.
The spirit which will justify the forcl-
bic annexation of the Philippine Isl
nnds will justify the seizure of other
islands and the domination of other
peoples, and with wars of conquest we
can expect II certain, If not rapid.
growth of our military establishment.
| That Il large permanent increase in our
regular army is intended by the ltcpub-
lican leaders is not Il mere matter of
conjecture, but matter of fact. In
his message of December 9Th. 1898, the
President asked for authority to in
| crease the standing army to 100000. In
| 1886 the army contained about $4,000
men, Within two years the Presi-
| dent asked for four times that many.
and II Republican House OF Representa-
| tivcS complied with the request after
| the Spanish treaty had been signed.
and no country was at war with the
| United States. If such an army Is de-
manded when an imperial policy is con-
| templatcd but not openly nvowcd,
what may be expected if the people en-
| courage the Republican party by en-
dorsing its policy at the polls? a large
standing army is not only a pccuniary
| burden TO the people and. If accom-
| panied by compulsory service. n con-
slant source of irritation. but it is ever
n menace to n Republican form of gov
| eminent. The army is the personifica-
| tion of force. and militariSm will in
evitably change the ideals of the people
and turn the thoughts of our young
men from the arts of peace to the
science of war. The government which
relies for its defence upon it's citizens
is more likely to be just that one which
has at call a large body OF professional
soldiers. a small standing army and a
we'll equipped and well disciplined State
militia arc sufficient in ordinary times.
and in an emergency the nation should
in the future, as in the past. place it's
dependence upon the volunteers who
come from all occupations at their
| country's call and return to productive
| labor when their services are no longer