The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-08-11

The overshadowing issue in the present
presidential campaign is Republic VS.. Empire.
We do not mean by this that the election OF
Mr.. Mckinley and Republican House OF
REPRESENTATIVES to sustain him will result at
once in the establishment of an Empire III
name, but we do contend that such result III
November will be an endorsement of the
Hanna Mckinley Administration for the past
three years, and that the Administration has
greatly departed from the long established
policy of the United States. The Constiiu-
ton. we have been told, is too small for GU
enlarged borders, the Declaration OF lnder
peudence has been set aside, the Monroe
Doctrine nulii6ed, and the President has
been given unwarranted powers and others he
has assumed, with but little protest from his
own party.
Most all republics have lapsed into mon
arches by slow stages, and the republic OF
the United States has been drifting that way
the past two years faster than the liberty low
ing people have been aware. The changes
have not been much felt at home, and they
have been kept concealed By the talk of war
for hnmanity's sake, the liberation of OPP
pressed subjects of Spain in Cuba, Porto Rico
and the Philippines, the spread of the Gospel
and protection ofmissionaries. The declared
high purposes ofthe departure from the former
policy of political isolation and the limitations
Of the Constitution have obscured to a large
degree the actual danger Of such departures.
But the people are now beginning TO realize
where the republics drifting. Three wars IN
two years is the result of meddling with the at
fairs of other governments and secret under
standing with Great Britain. The war with
Spain was an unprovoked assault upon weak
government, and after the looting of Cuban
treasure the Cubans no doubt regret our m
reference. The war with Spain had scarcely
ceased before war in the Philippines was
begun, and that is still unsettled and war IN
China is on. These wars are costly III blood
and treasure, and the end is not visible. The
entry into China and cooperation with foreign
powers in that country may lead to very Sc
rious consequences, not with China but with
European powers. And these wars and for
eign entanglements present the opportunity
for departing from the Constitution and the
long established policy Of the United States.
When the war with Spain was declared the
President WAS handed over $50, 900, 900 to use
as he desired. No governments were estab-
Iished for the acquired islands. Their govern
ments were entrusted entirely to the Presi-
dent. Congress did not provide for the pur-
chase of armorplate, but left it tc the Secre-
tary of the Navy, who is subject to the Presi-
dent, for he can be invited to resign should
he not heed the Presidents advice. No pol
icy Us TO our action in China-that was lett
TO the President, also. Such a concentration
of power no other President has accepted.
None of the earlier ones would have assumed
such power, but would have assembled Con-
gress to deal with all these matters. Mckin-
ley likes free rein. He; and Hanna do not
want to be hampered by laws and the Con
stitution. Their purposes are outside OF the
Constitution and the limitations OF laws under
IL. The United States are to be world
power. with large army and vast navy,
with say in all foreign controversies A
republic cannot be such a power, and the re-
public is to be set aside, except in name, and
an imperial government in fact is to be sub
stiluted To this end some long steps have
been made in The vast power placed IN the
hands of the Hanna Mckinley Admnisira-
ton. The election of Mckinley will he All
endorsement of this, and he and Hanna will
go forward 10 carry further their scheme Of
empire.
The people should stop and ponder this
matter. The republic is at stake. Upon the
result of the election in November depends
the question of Republic or Empire.