The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-09


Ard SICK WOHEN WELL.
forefathers the claims of monarchy If
this nation surrenders its belief in the uni
versal application OF the principles set
forth in the Declaration of Independence
Il will lose the prestige and influence which
il has enjoyed among the nations as an
exponent of popular government.
Our opponents. conscious of the weak
ness of their cause. seek TO confuse i'm
perialism with expansion, and have even
dared TO claim Jefferson as a supporter
of their policy. Jefferson spoke so freely
and used language with such precision :
that no one can be ignorant of his views
On one OCCASION he declared: If there be
one principle more deeply rooted than any
other in the mind of every American, 1t
is that we should have nothing to do with
conquest, And again he sad: Conquest
is not in our principles: it IS inconsistent
with our government"
The forcfbIe annexation OF territory TO
be governed by arbitrary power, differs as
much from the acquisition of territory to
be built up into States as monarchy dit
fers from a Democracy. The democratic
party does not oppose expansion when
expansion enlarses the area Of the republic
and incorporates land which can be set
tied by American citizens. or adds to our
population people who are willing to be-
come citizens and are capable of discharg-
ing their duties as such.
The acquisition of the Louisiana terri
,oy. Florida. Texas and other tracts
which have been secured from time to
time enlarged the republic, and the Consti-
tuition followed the flag into the new ter
r,itory 1t is now proposed to seize upon
distant territory already more denSelY pop
uiated than own country, ana 10 iorce
upon the people Il government Tor Wh1ch
there is no warrant IN our Constitution or
our laws Even the argument that TINS
earth belongs to those who desire 10 cult
vate ii and have the physical power to ac-
uuire 1t cannot be invoked to justify the
appropriation of the Philippine Islands by
the United States. If the Islands were I'M
inhabited, American citizens would not De
willing 10 go there and till the soil. The
white race VIII not live so near the equa-
tor Other nations have tried 10 colonlze in
the. same latitude. The Netherlands have
controlled Java for 500 wears. and Yet TO-
day there are less than to,eu people OF
European birth scattered among 2o.OooEoo
natives After century and half OF
! English domination in India. less than one
twentieth of one per cent. Of the people of
india are of English birth, and ii requires
an army of 10000 British soldiers to take
care of the tax collectors. Spain has assert
ed the title to the Philippine islands for three
centuries and yet, when our fleet entered
Manila Bay, there We're less than l0,uVo
Span:ards residing in the Philippines.
a colonial policy means thai we shat!
send 10 the Philippines a few task-masters
and a few office-hol0ers, and an army
largo enough to support the authority OF
G small fraction Of the people while they
rule the natives.
Standing army.
If we have an imperial policy we must
have a large standing army as its natural
and necessary complement. Tho spirit
which will justify the forcibie annexation
of the Philippine Islands, viii justify the
seizure of other islands and the domination
of other people and with wars of con-
quest we can expect a certain, il not rapid,
growth Of our military establishment.
That large permanent increase IN our
regular army is intended by the Republi-
can leaders. is not mere matter OF con-
lecture, but a matter of fact. In his
message of December 5, 1888, the President
asked for authority TO increase the stand
ing army 10 100000. In 1886 the army con-
tanned about %, eco mer. Within two years
the President asked for tour times thnt
many. and Republican House of Repre-
sentatives complied with the request after
the Spanish treaty had been signed and
no country was at war with the United
States. If such an army is demanded when
an imperial policy IS contemplated, but not
openly avoweG, what mny be expected, if
the people encourage the Republican party
by endorsing its policy at the polls? A
large standing army is not only pecl-
liar burden 10 the people, and, if &C
companied by compulsory service, con-
slant source of irritation, but it is ever
a menace TO d Republican form of Gov.
ernment. The army is the personI1icaton
of force. and n:ltarism will inevitably
change the ideals of the people and turn
the thoughts of our young men from the
arts of peace 10 the science of war. The
Government which relies for its defense
upon its citizens, is more likely TO be
Just thDn one which mas at call a large
body of professional soldiers. A small
standing army and a we!l-equSpped and
well-disciphned State militia are sufficient
in ordinary times, and in an emergency
the nation should in the future, as in the
past, place its dependence upon the volun-
seers who come from all occupations II
their countrys call and return TO pro-
ductive labor when Their services are no
longer required-inen who fight When the
country needs fighters and work when the
country needs workers.
The Republican platform assumes that
the Philippine Islands Will be retained UNI
der American sovereignty, and We have a
right to demand of the Republican leaders
q discussion of the future status Of the
Filipino. Is ne to be citizen sub
iect? Are we to bring into the body
polite eight or ten million Asiatics, so
3ifferent from US in race and history that
amalgamution is impossible? Are they
to share with MS in making the laws and
shaping the destiny of this nation? No
Republican of prominence has been bold