Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-08-14

4
countrymen cannot be measured by
words. The ills resulting from unjust
legislation and from unwiSe administra-
ton or the government must find their
remedy in the ail-potent ballot. To it
we now make our solemn appeal.
The Chief purpose of the great conven-
ton whose representatives are before me
was redress for existing wrongs and Sc
cuflty against perils yet greater which
menace popular government. Your con-
yention, in language clear and unmistak-
able, has presented the vital issues upon
which the pending contest is to be deter
mined. 10 its platform | give my earn
est assent.
After referring to the platform declara.
tons on trusts, tariffs, Congressional ex-
travagance, ETC., Mr.. Stevenson says; A
question is yet to be discussed, to which
all OF these are of secondary imports
ance. 1t is solemnly declared
by our platform to be the
paramount issue. Questions of domes.
tic policy, however important, may be, but
questions of the hour--that of Imperialism
IS Tor time. In the presence of this stupen,
dous issue, others seem but the dust in
the balance. In no sense paltering with
words, II Is the supreme question of re
public or empire.
Upon every phase of our foreign policy,
the language of the Democratic platform Is
too clear TO admit of miSconstruetion. II
lawful means. We believe that liberty as
well as the Constitution, follows the flag.
Democrats In common with many sRepubii-
cans, oppose the Porto Rican law as a yio-
lation of the Constitution and a tiagrant
breach of good faith toward a dependent
people 1t is imposing government without
the consent of the governed. 1t is in con-
hiet with that provision of the Constitution
which declares that Duties, imports and
excuses shall be uniform throughout the Uni
ted States"
Deplores Spirit of Empire.
The Democratic platform condemns the
policy pursued by the present administra-
tion toward the Philippine Islands This
pohcyminspired by the greedy spirit of com
mercialism-has enbrOiled our government in
an unnecessary war; sacrificed valuable
lives, and placed the American republic in
deadly antagenism to our former allies in
their efforts to secure their liberties. For
the first time In our history we are boldly
confronted with the question of Imperial
ism-the spirit of empire. This is indeed,
the supreme question to which all others are
of secondary Importance.
The Democratic party has ever been the
advocate of wise territorial expansion. 1t
was In control of the government during
forty years of the first half OF the present
century. During that period new States
were admitted into the Federal Union, and
our Western border extended beyond the
Mississippi. Out of thesLouisiana country
acquired under the first Democratic admin
istration-have been carved fourteen mag
nificent States Under a later Democratic
administrat ion-and as the result of the
treaty which terminated our war with Mex
ico-we acquired California and neighboring
States and Territories, thus bringing under
our flag, to remain forever, the vast expanse
stretching to the Pacific.
The policy of aggressive expansion-of sub
jugation of distant isands-pursued by the
present administration, finds no precedent
in the peactSble cesson of the Louisiana
country by Napoleon that OF Florida by
Ana 10 Sf
ern area by Mexico. The territory acquired
under Democratic administrations was, with
favorable climatic conditions, the fit abode
for men of our own race. AT the time of
annexation It passed under the rule of the
Anglo Saxon who carried with him our Ian
guage and our laws. 1t was territory contig-
uous to our own, and acquired with the de-
clared intention-when conditions and popu-
lation would justify-cf carving 1t into
States. The result: Millions of American
homes, our national wealth increased be-
yond the dream of avarice, and the United
States chief among the nations of the earth.
Can it be that the new policy of forcible
annexation of distant Islands finds precedent
in the historic events | have mentioned?
The answer is found in the bare statement
Of facts. The territory acquired under DEM
ocratic administrations is contiguous-the
Philippine Islands 5000 miles distant. The
acquisition Of territory upon our own con-
tinent added little to the national expense
to maintain permanent sovereignty over the
distant islands necessitates immense ex
penditureS upon our army and navy. More
than that, 1t contemplates methods of ad-
ministration that pertain, not to the repub-
lic but to the empire. Can 1t be doubted
that the attempt to stihe the spirit of liberty
abroad will imperil popular government at
home?
We stand 100 years from the hour when
the political forces were gathering which
were to result in the election of the first
Democratic President. The anniversary of
the masterfui day In our history was wisely
chosen for the assembling In convention of
the representatives of the historic party
whose founder was Jefferson-and whose |
platform Is the Declaration of Independence |
In the great struggle now upon US we invoke
the cooperation Of all who revere the mem
DRY OF our fathers, and to whom this declar-
alton Is not unmeaning parchment-but the
enduring chart Of our liberties. Upon the
supreme issue now In the forefront-and TO
the end that republican government be per-
petuated-we appeal to the sober Judgment
and patriotism of The American people.