The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-02-24
ON ANTI-IMPERIALISM
ADDRESS BY PROF. T. IT. RUSSELL
 OFTHE Y1LELAWS SCHOOL.
Delivered Before the Eastern Conference of fAnti-Imperialists at Philadelphia Yesterday-He Says That Imperialism is Unpatriotic and u Drn gerous Policy

Yesterdny--He Says That Imperialism
 is Unpatriotic and u Dangerous Policy Prof. Talcott H. Russell of Yale de
 livered an address before an assembly
 of anti-imperialists at Boston yester | day. His arguments were telling ant | effective and met with a unanimous applause.
 Introducing his subject Prof. Russell
 dWelt on the extent and population ot
 the new territory of the United States
 TWelve thousand miles of land and sea" he said, contained inhabitants SC
 separated and unsympathetic as to be
 held together under a national unity
 only with great difficulty, and many of
 the citizens were so barbaric that they
 could not yet be trusted with the re-
 responsibilities connected with citizen
 ship. In 1896, however, the territory
 lay in compact mass. Its people,
 though differing in intelligence, were so
 far homogeneous that they could be en-
 trusted with the rights of civil liberty.
 Conditions have changed since then.
 In January, 1896, the army of the Unit
 ed States consisted of less than 25,00O
 men. To-day it numbers 100000 For
 the year ending June 30, 1896, the ex-
 penditure for the war and navy depart
 ments was in round numbers SIS, 000 000.
 For the twelve months ending with De-
 cember, 1899, the expenditures for the
 same purpose were $293, ,000,000. The
 change in conditions, when we consider
 the brief period in which it has occur
 red, is simply amazing. This change
 has introduced new line of cleaveage
 into our politics, and given rise to two rival schools of political thought, which
 may be fairly described as the expan-
 sionist and the anti-expansionist or an-
 ti-imperialist. The one looks upon these events as but the natural working out of the destinies of the nation. The oth- CT views with alarm such a departure from its traditions. The issue between these two parties has not always been fairly stated The anti-imperialist is not necessarily pledged to any retro grade step as regards the possessions already obtained. He views their ac- quisition with regret. He believes that they are a disastrous inheritance, and hopes that some honorable method may be found of relieving ourselves of the responsibility. He protests vigorously against making what has already been done a precedent for still further ex- tension. But he does not necessarily believe in the immediate abandonment of such possessions without regard to the interests of the inhabitants, nor to obligations of honor to other nations. On the other hand, the expansionist be- lieving as he does, that the additions are a benefit to the nation and part of its destiny is, by the necessity of his position, committed to a policy of still further expansion Conversation with advocates of this policy will call forth an enunciation of principles which involve an enormous develop ment of their plans. Without any hes itation, they announce an intention of with the other great nations for foothold upon every continent and a share in the settling of all the prob lems which are arising In regard to the division of unsettled territories, or ter ritor1es Inhabited by uncivillzed na- tions."
 Continuing, Prof. Russell explained how the acquisition of territory at re- mote distances, inhabited by semi-civ- lized people, is drought with disaster. 'The United States has been distin guished from all other nations in that | 1t has not been a military power. The proposed change in condition would in volve transition into military power | with all that it involves, War necessa- lily involves the right of free speech to ] certain extent. Not only active hos .ilities, but armed preparation for such | of necessity involves a | great sacrifice of those rights and lib critics which this government was pro- essedly organized to secure. That we nave been enabled to maintain these lights to the extent we have is chiefly because of the one hundred and ten rears since the adoption of the consti- ltion. we have had at least one hun- lred of unbroken peace. That the Eu- opean nations have not enjoyed the l anne freedom is because regard for heir own safety has compelled them to ,e constantly in arms. The profession | soldier, whatever his virtues, is not
 free citizen. His principle of action $ unreasoning obedience to arbitrary He does not generally ex- rcise his political rights. He scorns iscussion and is always for prompt &C., ion.
 "Discussion is the breath of the life f civil liberty Where a military spir- prevails among the people, freedom lust grow less. The experience of the lst few years is sufficient to prove hat Five years ago the citizens carcely felt the power of the general overnment It imposes no tax that he ould perceive and no restraint upon is liberty of action. He paid a tariff Y K, perhaps, in case he had occasion to , nport goods. He paid the United , tates for carrying his mail. Outside = f that so far as the general govern lent went, he was absolutely free to ngage in any occupation he saw fit nd to dispose of the fruits of his in- ustry, during his life or after his , cath by will, without tax, imposition restriction. How is it now? Does he ossess the same freedom that he had ve years ago?" After discussion of the taxation lestion Prof Russell thus concluded: |, 'It is true in politics that a nation . ,nnot be a master without it's citizens = to a certain extent, slaves; o ithout sacrificing a large portion of i