The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-28
EXPANSION VERSUS IMPERIAL.
ISM.

In the Kansas City Democratic Con-
vention, the platform adopted de-
clares that it is not opposed to terri
torial expansion when it takes in
desirable territory which can be
erected into States in the Union and
whose people are WILLING and FIT
to become American citizens" 1t goes
on to declare that IL favors eXpan-
sion ''by every peaceful MEANS and
adds. s'but we are unalterably oppos-
ed to Selling or purchasing distant
islands to be governed outside OF the
Constitution and whose people can
never become citizens" 1t is asserted
that the Republics influence among
the nations should be extended, mot
by force or violence, but through the
persuasive power of a high and hon
orable example" 1t then declares
that Tie burning issue of imperial
ism, growing out of the Spanish war
involves the very existence of the Re-
public and the destruction of our free
institutions. We regard it as the par
amount issue of the campaign"
Most of the thoughtful men of
the Republic are in accord with this
declaration, and all over America life
long Republicans are coming to the
support of Bryan and Stevenson be-
cause they wish to save the Republic.
Such eminent leaders as George S.
Boutwell, and Carl Schurz have sound
ed the alarm and, though they are OPP
posed 10 the Democratic party on
important issues, they give their
hearty support to Bryan and Steven
son as the only method of preventing
the endorsement of McKinley's policy
of Imperialism.
A few Republicans have met the
issue by plainly declaring mat this
country had outgrown its swaddling
clothes, and that the time had come
for it take its place as a world power
along with the great European ma
tons. A writer in the New York
Journal avows his position by say
ing:
would it not be better to have a
kingdom with Mckinley, Roosevelt or
some other great man at the head,
than to have a Republic, with Bryan
for President? Mckinley is our
greatest President, and you know it.
If the only way to keep him is TO
make the country an empire, we
should do so. You also talk about
Porto Rico a good deal. What is Por-
to Rico to you? What happens to
you if the Porto Ricans are ill treat
ed? / would like to see an empire,
for the fun of it. / would like to see
Tillman, Altgeld and Bryan bowling
before King William. 1t would be
very funny.
REPUBLICAN VOTER.
New York, Aug. 20.
But the average imperialist denies
vehemently that he is an imperialist,
and hides behind the false position of
calling himself an expansionist. Nc
Kinley was never known to ayow the
policy for which he stands, and while
all the time working to secretly con-
vert the Republic into an Empire, he
denies being what his policy shows
him to be and proclaims that he is
an 'sexpansionist." In view of this
policy of the administration, the
meaning of the words, Expansion"
and imperialism" becomes important.
An "Old and Constant Reader" of the
Springfield Republican asks that pa
per TO explain in a few words the
real meaning of, and exact differ
ence between, Imperialism and eNpan-
sion" The Republican, an able and
independent paper-the ablest IN
America-gave the following answer,
which is clear and correct:
Expansion means the taking in of
additional territory under the consti-
tuition, with the consent of the peo-
pie thereof, which can be, and is
to be, built up into co-equal States,
possessing the same privileges of rep
resentation in the national govern
ment as the older States. Expansion.
therefore, is not question touching