Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-09

, which all of these are of secondary i'm
portance. 1t is solemnly declared by
our platform to be of paramount issue.
Questions of domestic policy, however
important, may be but questions of the
hour-that of Imperialism is for time.
In the presence of this stupendous is
sue, Others seem but as the dust in the
balance. In no sense paltering with
words, it is the supreme question CT
Republic and Empire. The words of
the eminent republican senator, Mr..
Hoar, challenge attention: 4 believe
that perseverance in this 1olicy Will
be the abandonment of the principles
upon which our government is found
ed, that it will change our government
into an empire, that our methods OF
legislation, of diplomacy. of admins
tration must hereafter be those which
belong to empires, and not those which
belong to republics
Upon every phase of our foreign pol
icy, the language of the Democratic
platform is too clear to admit of mis-
construction. 1t favors trade expa \
sion by all peaceful and lawful means.
we Believe That Liberty,
as well as the constitution, follows the
flag. Democrats, in common wi+h
many Republicans, oppose the Porto
Rican law as a violation OF the Con-
stitution, and fragrant breach OF good
faith toward a dependent people.
The Democratic platform condemns
the policy pursued by the present ad-
ministrat.cn toward the Philippine is
lands. This policy-inspired by the
great spirit of commercIalism-na;
embroiled our government III an III
necessary war, sacrificed valuable
lives, and placed the American RepGh-
lie in deadly antagonism 10 cur former
allies in their efforts TO secure theft
liberties. For the first time in our his
tory we are boldly confronted with the
question of 'Imperialism-the spirit Of
empires
This is indeed the supreme question,
to which all others are OF secondary
Importance.
The policy of aggressive expansion
of subjugation of distant islands-pur-
sued by the present administration,
finds no precedent in the peaceable
cesession of the Louisiana country l,y
Napoleon, that of Florida by Sp6iIl.
noh that yet later, of the vast western
area, by Mexico.
What is proposed by the party in
power for the government of these
islands? If it be intended to establish
there our political institutions, what
then becomes of
The Monroe DOctrine?
This vital international policy, an
nounced by the President Of the
United States seventy-seven years ago,
I'VE are told that our republic is
now to become "a world power" In
the highest sense-with the Declara-
ton OF Independence as it's corner
stone-it has been all it's past world
power. 1t has been the lofty ideal to
all Hberty-loving people; the model
for all builders of republics for more
than g century. In the sense used by
imperialists the expression is one of
terrible significance. 1t necessitates
the methods and equipments of mon
arches. 1t means the creation and
maintenance by our republic Of stand
ing armies equal to those of the
World Powers of Europe.
Al NO less cost can we mold place as
a world of power Study existing con-
ditions in European nations, and know
what all this means to us. 1t means
taxation to the verge of despair. 1t
means, as has been truly said, that
every l2borer must carry an armed
soldier upon his back as he goes to his
daily toll All history teaches that
the cornerstone of Imperialism is the
force of the standing army.
In the great struggle now upon us,
we invoke the cooperation of all who
reYere>the memory of our fathers, and
to whom this Declaration is not un-
meaning parchment, but the enduring
chart of our liberties. Upon the su-
pTeme issue now in the forefront-and
to the end that Republican government
be perpetuated-we appeal to the sober
Judgment and patriotism of the Amer
lean people.