The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1900-07-26
Bourke Cochran on Imperialism.

form of piracy, but piratical craft
seldom display their true colors while
in sight of civilizations This imperi-
alism of ours, while it remained
under examination by the American
people. tried TO assume every appear
ance of an expedition for the CONVEX
sion of sinners. The crew used the
language of the hymnal. although
the stridency Of their voices suggest
ed the boarding gang rather than
the choir. They concealed purposes
of plumber under the profession of
religion-a few of whose missionaries
they had decoyed on board. When
the younger and more impatient
showed disposition to cast off dis
guise and to appear in the usual
equipment of their calling, more ex-
perinced hands were quick to check
the impulse and restore the garment
OF morality to their shoulders.
| When, for instance, one of them,
holding alOft a nugget OF gold OBJ
tanned in the Philippines, told of
more treasure where that came from,
and declared in the natural language
of the tribe that it might easily he
seized by men stronger than the
| feeble owners, he was rebuked by
| wiser and more effective member of
the band, who protested that, while
such material things as nuggets OF
gold would be accepted with resigna-
ton, the true purpose of the expedi-
ton was the welfare of the natives
an object so deeply cherished that
even ii they inhabitated a Sahara
instead of fertile islands, they would
still be the objects of benevolent bull
lets.
Government on the principle reveal
ed by this measure is government not
for the protection OF the governed,
but for the profit of the governing
power. This is necessarily govern
ment for plumber.
The pretext that Imperialism is jus
titled by the example of Jefferson is
manifestation ofimpenetrable igno-
rance or of cynical audacity.
Expansion, as Jefferson inaugural
ed it and as democrats believe in it,
is the expansion of our constitution
through the expansion of our terri
tory. The extension of our govern
ment-Our constitutional govern |
mental over this continent would |
be OF measureless benefit to all the |
people of it and to the whole human |
race.
Imperialism is not the spread of |
our constitutional system, but the |
restriction of it. 1t is the establish |
ment and administration in distant |
countries by this government of |
another government totally distinct |
from our constitutional republic and |
utterly repugnant to it.
Ii this imperialistic policy be |
adopted kingship will not be the
worst, but the best, fruit that it is |
likely to bear.
1t is plain that president ruling |
Independently of the constitution |
rules not by any authority over the
army, but by the grace of the army
Here We have Roman Imperialism
in it's worst form. | must apologize |
to Roman Imperialism Under that |
system there was, at least, a SEM
blance of regard for constitutional |
forms
Imperialism and republicanism are
essentially hostile. The same gov
eminent cannot be autocratic and |
representative Two such hostile |
principles can not dwell in the same
system. One must inevitably seek
to destroy the other
The demand that our army be il.
creased to 10000 men is the first
palpable fruit of Imperialism. Why
are 100000 men wanted? Because.
torsooth, We have become a world
power. There is no argument for
raising an army of 100, 900 men that
will not apply with double force to a
establishment of 100000
men. If we are to bea world power.
America wants to be the very first.
To raise loo, 900 men we have to
throw away our tradition. That
being done, to raise 500. 900 men it
viii be necessary merely to modify
our sense of proportion.
Imperialism must ALWAYS rest on n