The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-04
GEN. WRIGHT BANQUETED.
PHILIPPINE COMMISSIONER BIDS
FAREWELL TO HIS FRIENDS.
Speaks Upon Expansfon-snys People
of United states May Constitution
uIIy Take what Land They Have
Need Of and BightfuIIy Acquire.

MEMPHIS. Tenn. April Seen. Luke
+. Wright. Of the Philippine commission
was rendered q farewell banquet by a'
distinguished men at the Peabody hotel
After thanking his friends for the senti-
ments expressed. Gen. Wright spoke or
the question of expansion and reviewed
the purchase Of Louisiana and the tax
Ing In OF Florida. Texas. California and
Alaska Gen. Wright continued 1--WE
may assume therefore. II there Is any
force In the doctrine of practical con-
struction. that the power TO expand Is In
herent and inexhaustible. In short. that
whatever additional territory the people
of the United States think they need and
can rightfully acquire they may consti-
tutionaily take
I'm each instance the question Is one
OF eNpedency and not OF power. 10 be
determined upon consideration Of all
the attendant advantages of the trans
action.
II know OF ~ one who is-certainly l
am not--a thick and thin expansionist.
1t would be both foolish and immoral
for Va 10 pursue n policy OF greed and ag-
greasion. especially against our weaker
neighbors. on the other hand. II would
be equally foolish and short-sightec to
fail to acquire. by negotiation or pur-
chase, any needed territory which we
think useful TO our people"
The speaker said that the argument
against Imperialism seemed to him
Irrelevant as 1t sets up n man OF straw
ator to whom our allegiance is due Is the
VIII Of the sovereign people expressed in
a manner they have subscribed
Gen. Wright said II has always been
his belief that the island of Cuba should
be a part OF the United States. 1t IL so
situated. "a glance at the map will
show. as to be the key to the Gulf of
Mexico and the Caribbean sen. In our
hands the former becomes az II ought to
be. an American lake. II commands the
Nicaragua canal when built
Continuing, tho speaker said
81 do not subscribe TO the doctrine that
wherever the flag once floats II must
float forever: but | do say that whenever
the flag is rightfuiy raised II should
never be furlad In violation OF the die
tates OF duty and honor. To abandon
these islands now. to my mind, would be
blot upon our gooG name among man
kind for all time.
when all opposition TO our authority
Is at an end, and not before. the ques-
t'on "a TO how the islands can be best
governed becomes at once and ALWAYS
not only a legitimate but n highly i'm
portant topic for discussion. There shall
be upon this. as upon all other important
matters. fun ana free interchange of
thought.
Permit me to say tina, take II we are
all agreed that whatever IL best for these.
our new wards. Is to be first considered
humanity. Justice and sound policy alike
dictate this We are further agreed that
80 far as II Is in our power to give It..
they shall have the same civil and re-
liEious liberty. same rights OF person and
property that We ourselves enjoy; and.
finally, that we are of one mind that as
speedily as can safely be done they
should have representative government
on the lines adopted for our other terri
tories. just how far We can at once go
In that direction and just what instru-
mentality OF government shall be pres
emily operative can only be determined
after Intelligent and honest investigation.
and In the nature of things must largely
depend upon the attitude toward us OF
the Filiptnos themselves.
These and other grave considerations
bar tho United States from throwing
OFF the burden of the Philippines ~ Il
be burden. The path of duty lies plain
before US. and we cannot honorahly re-
cedc II We could"
Gen Wright closed with an affectlonate
Eood-by 10 his friends and associates.