People's voice., 1900-10-11
WAR AND CAUSE OF LIBERTY.
Kansas Educator Thinks Spain Should be
Left Nothing.

be held at Washington next month an
address will be made by Wm. Stryker,
state superintendent Of public instruc-
ton for Kansas. Superintendent Stryk-
ar stated today that he would devote his
address to the educational influences OF
the present war, and would advocate the
acquisition by the United States OF every
Spanish possession.
/ am in favor, said Mr.. Stryker, OF car
rying the torch of liberty to the utter
most parts of the earth-peaceably II we
can, but forcibly where humanity de-
mands it. As much as l deplore the
blowing up Of the Maine and the death
Of those gallant seamen, l look upon that
dastardly act of Spanish treachery as a
blessing in disguise. 1t was the shock
needed to start us on our proper course,
and. once started, our people will never
turn back. Every Spanish possession
must be ours, and civilization must be
carried not only to those islands, but to
the countries adjacent.
The above is being used quite exten-
sively BY Republican speakers and in
other ways over the county as an evi-
dence that we have Topped on this ex-
pansion question since 1898 when this
was reported to have been uttered. That
tie above did appear in the Globe-Den-
ocrat there is no doubt. That we were
then as now as patriotic and desirous Of
our government doing all in its power to
put an end to oppression and wrong in
the Spanish possessions as any Republi-
can is also true. We believed then and
believe now that a grand opportunity
was offered in Cuba in Porto Rica, and
in the Philippines for this great Republic
to extend its trade, its public school sys-
TEN and all of its free institutions, the
love of liberty and everything for which
our flag stands not only to those islands
but by noble and disinterested policy
to all the world and especially to the
countries adjacent to those islands. Had
not greed for gold, which dominates
those who control the Republican party,
overcome all of the higher, nobler, bet
ter sentiments the policy which humani-
ty and justice dictates would long since
given us more of trade, more of Ameri-
can language and Institutions, more of
substantial advantage financially, polit-
ically, morally and in every desirable
way than we will now ever get. News
paper interviews are not always absolute
ly correct. We stand now for what we
have always stood, the broadest possible
extension of the best American ideas and
institutions. We stand for liberty,
equality and justice whether in North
Carolina or in the Philippines. Two
wrongs never made right. We stand
for the rights Of free government, OF free
speech and Of liberty everywhere on
earth and demand that our government
abandon its present 10Th century method
of extending our influence and trade
abroad and adopt 10th century method;
that is, adopt the golden rule "Do unto
others as ye would that they should do
to you" instead OF the gold rule "Do
your neighbor or he will 10 you" which
is the policy now of the Republican par
ty both at home and abroad.
We favor expansion rather than impe-
rialism; we favor moral suasion rather
than bruteforce; we favor extension Of
trade and influence but not war and
bloodshed. We honor the flag and ad-
mire American bravery and manhood as
shown by our soldiers wherever they
have gone but would save them the need
less sacrifice they are now called upon to
make. We have no word of censure or
blame but rather admiration and praise
for the brave boys who have answered
their country's call and are now doing
their duty regardless Of personal beliefs
by obeying the orders of their superiors.
Our criticism is upon those living in ease
and luxury at home who have forced this
administration into this unholY and need
less war against people struggling for
liberty and who never did them wrong
and all that they may the better exploit
labor at home and in these would be pos
sessions; that they may further increase
their ill-gotten gains by further class
legislation. We would devote the money
now being expended in this war to the
reclaiming Of that immense arid area
upon the eastern slope Of the Rockies
making habitable and populOus an area
larger and with infinitely greater posi-
bilities than any tropical island or group
OF islands.
If Oar Republican friends will produce
any other quotation from us of any date
we shall be pleased to answer their de-
mand that We define our position upon it.
The complete poll Of the Republican
nominees for the legislature shows that