The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-26


The Bryanites are having hard time
trying to talk anti-expansion and make
their talk harmonize with the words
and actions Of the great men Of the
earlier days Of the republic who called
themselves Anti-Federalists. Republic
ans and afterward Democrats. In their
attempt to make as much as possible
out Of the makeshift paramount issue
of the present campaign the Bryan
Democrats ind that history supplies
them with a provokingiy meager
amount OF material for anti-expansion
warfare. 1t has become second nature
with them to refer to the words OF the
old Democratic fathers for guidance.
but in the present emergency q search
of the records has revealed the fact that
the revered Democratic patriots. of other
days were In favor OF the very policy
Of expansion which the Republican
party now advocates and which the fol-
lowers of Bryan are so vigorously and
viciously denouncing..
From the very beginning OF this con-
troyersy the Bryanites seem to have
forgotten that for the first record Of
expansion, with the acquisition OF new
territory and government without the
consent of the governed. IT is necessary
to turn back to the time Of Thomas
Jefferson. when the Louisiana purchase
was made. The Bryanites are also re-
luctant to display their knowledge of
history during the times Of Andrew
jackson, when that doughty old war
rior crossed over into. Florida, seized
thu territory OF the Spanish and, gov.
erned the people without their consent.
The story OF the struggle with Mexico.
and the acquisition and government,
under n Democratic administration. of
what IL now California. Arizona and
New Mexico, also seems to have been
forgotten by these latter day anti-ex-
pansionists who are forever praying
that the good old Democratic days OF
the fathers may return. It II customary,
too, while Juggling with this fictitious
issue, to call upon the name OF Lincoln
and to maintain stcutly that were the
great martyr and the people Of his time
now In public life they would be as bit
terly opposed to expansion as are the
followers of Rryan.
Fortunately the utterances Of some Of
the great men of the Lincoln period
have been handed down to US. OF all
the Democrats of that time there was
perhaps none in all the country more
gifted or universally popular than Ste
phen A. Douglas. of Illinois. He was an
idol in the North and conceded on all
sides TO be worthy champion OF his
party. And he had some very decided
views on the question OF expansion.
views which are well worth the consid-
GRAFTON OF the modern Democrat. prone
TO look 20 the past for lights by which
he may be guided safely along the right
course.
Here il what stephen A. Douglas said
on the subject of expansion at Freeport.
Ill. August .aT. isss:
81, II ldle to tell me or you that we
have territory enough. Our fathers sup
posed that we had enough when our ter
riiury extended to the Mississippi river,
hut a few years growth and expansion
satisfied them that We needed more. and
Louisiana territory. from the west branch
81 the Mississippi to the British pos
sessions. was acquired. Then We acaulr-
ed Oregon. thea California and New Msxi-
60. We have enough uow for the present,
hut this IA a young and growing nation.
n swarmz "a oftrn as a Awe OF bees. and
as new swarfus are tarnea cut each year.
there must BE- hives in which they can
gather and make their honey. In less than
ffteen years. II the same progress that
has distinguished this country Tor the last
fifteen years continues. every foot OF va
cant land between this and the Pacife
ocean. owned BY the United States, viii DO
occupied WIN yea not continue 10 in
crease az the end Of aftsea years As well
as nowT
Il tell you. increase and multiply ana
expand ia the iaw 81 this nations exist
ence. You cannot limit this great repub-
Nc by mere Imaginary lines, saying thus
FAR shalt tAoa 50 and no farther Any
one % you gentlemen would be foolish to
SAY 10 a son twelve years old that ne Is
big enough. and must not grow any larger.
/ and I'm order ~ prevent his grewth put q
hoop around him 10 keep him to his pres
ent size What would be the result
! Either the hoop mast burst ana be rent
asunaer. or the child must die. So II
would be with this great nation.
with our natural increase, growing
l with rai,i.sity unknown IN any other part
/ Of the globe. with the tide Of emigration
/ that is aeeing from GeSpotism in the Old
| World 10 seek refuge in our own, their
Is constant torrent pouring into thls
saansrr thai requires more lAnA nors