The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-07
IMPERIALISM.


when first founded had no army All its
citizens were soldiers, and when an enc
my attacked Rome its citizen soldiery de-
Tended it and they were almost invaria-
bly, victorious-always so in the end. Con-
tinual wars with neighboring peoples
trained the Romans until they became
great soldiers. Then the lust of conquest
the desire for more territory-grew up.
This made an army necessary AMI the le-
gions were formed. These under great
commanders carried the Roman eagles east
over the Alps into what We now call
France and Spain and across the channel
to Great Britain. North the eagles looked
upon the Baltic Sea. South and west they
overran Greece. crossed the Hellespont and
pentratcd far into Asia, and crossing the
Mediterranean took in all North Africa.
The pro-consuls who governed these
provinces with their legions reigned as
monarchs. Each was an absolute king in
his own province and the conquered peo-
pies were subject to their sway. AS con-
quests were made the number OF the le-
gions was increased and many of the
soldiers were enlisted from the conquered
provinces. They cared nothing for Rome.
Finally Caesar came and nothing but the
dagger of BruiGs prevented his being
made Emperor by his victorious legions.
Anthony. Lepidus and Octavius we're vir-
tually kings, and divided the Empire be-
tween themselves and, having conquered
the other two, Octavius reigned alone
over the Empire of the known world.
For hundreds of years the legions made
and unmade emperors. The wealth of the
world poured into Rome. Its citizens,
willing slaves for wealth, became effem-
mate az. they grew richer. Even modern
times has not equaled the luxury that
prevailed in the Roman cities. though
Newport and Lenox are approaching that
climax. If the reports of the newspapers
as TO these two places are true the luxury
of Nero's time is almost equaled. And
curiously enough both the ancient rich
of Rome and the modern rich who are
trying to initiate and Guido ancient lux
ury, obtained their wealth by despoiling
others, the one by force, the other by
craft.
In Rome expansion lead to Imperialism,
imperialism led to luxury and elfeminacy.
And these brought ruin in their path.
Rome fell and the Roman people are but
name.
The American Republic has existed over
a century. 1t was born in blood. The
travail was long which brought 1t to life
as a nation. But when it was finally given
to the world it came, like Minerva from
the brain of Jove, FULL armed for the con-
fiict with the world. It's Constitution,
supplemepting the Declaration of indie
pendence, created nation of free men
citizens of sovereign States.
Men tell you that late events have made
the United States "a world power II
was a world power from the day of it's
birth. Its power was in the principles it
set forth, not its army or navy, though
they were very early able to infict a
second defeat on Great Britain and win
the most unexampled land battle of an
cient or modern times, on the field of
Chalmette, when Jackson's 5000 raw mil
itia-American farmers and mechanics
and lawyers and ioctors-defeated $1,000
of the trained veterans who, under Well
ington, had driven Napoleon out of Spain,
leaving about one-third of that force dead
and wounded upon the battle ground and
losing only thirty men, Besides this, they
destroyed two British fleets on the lakes
and always conquered at sea, when the
forces were anything like equal These
were Americans lighting for their coun-
try. 1t was a holiday excursion to drive
Spain from the West Indies, but a few
Tagolos fighting, as our fathers did. for
liberty are able to hold $1,000 American
soldiers, backed by a large navy, in check
for years.
II was the principle of liberty-the
principle that men should govern them
selves-whicb made this nation "a world
power" and has kept it one through more
than century.
Now, it is proposed to depart from this
fundamental doctrine that governments
derive their just powers from the con-
sent of the governed"-the principle upon
which this Government was established
and has been maintained. and to adapt
the monarchicai theory of government by
force-government with the bayonet and
the rapid-fire gun.
AS 1t was in the old Republic so 1t rs
in ours-greed greed greed. That is
the only rule of conduct; that is the
only incentive to action. Gigantic COM
binations of capital, call them trus S.
monopolies, companies or what you will,
are fighting for more power. There they
are. 1t is this money power which
creates such places as Lennox and New
port and dozen other such sinks of
iniquity-that dominates the country.
The money power demands an army and
imperialism lay Dy udy we see II
growing, growing almost as fast as
Jonah's gourd vine. which grew up in
night and overshadowed the prophet.
Two Presidents of the United States,
and, strange to say, each of them was
assassinated, came from the lowest
walks of life. Ability. perseverance,
and energy raised them to the topmost
pinnacle. The rail splitter and the tow
path boy show what could be done in
the past by an American wh) adopted
as his motto Excelsior" On, of them
was a man as un-r ovable in his course
as he was honest in his convictions. No
such man as Abraham Lincoln can ever
again become President of the United
States. His almost inspired words at
Gettysburg would have sealed his fate
even If there had never been a Wilkes
Booth. The ambitious poor boy who
forces himself to the front must sell
his brains and conscience to the money
oligarchy or remain in private life.
Even in the army and navy 1t is 1.-The
plant tools" who crook the pregnant
hinges of the knee that thrift may
follow fawning," who are put to the
front, given ho9ors, and commands.
AS plain as the sunlight at MONDAY
when there are no clouds in the heavens
is the situation today.
We have recruits in the army from
Porto Rico, we have companies made up
of Hawaiians, we have battalions, now
fighting in the Philippines, of the natives
of that country. Suppose them trans
ferred to the United States, as Caesar
marched his British and Gallo legions