Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-08-11

HUN WHITMAN
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were fighting for civil liberty. While our
sphere Of activity has been limited to the
Western Hemisphere, our sympathies
have not been bounded by the seas.
Three-quarters Of n century ago. when
our nation was small. the struggles OF
Greece aroused our people. and Webster
and Clay gave eloquent expression TO the
universal desire for Grecian indepen.
dence In 1896. all parties manifested a
lively interest In the success OF the Gu
bans. but now when war II In progress
In South Africa. which must result In the
extension OF the mOnarchial idea or In the
triumph OF republic. the advocates OF
Imperialism In this country dare not say
word In behalf Of the Beers. Sym.
patty for the Beers does not arise from
any unfriendlness toward England: the
American people are not unfriendly to-
ward the people OF any nation. This SYM
patty Is due to the fact that, rs stated In
our platform. We believe In the principle
Of self.govcrnment and reject, rs did our
forefathers. the claims Of monarchy.
Imperialism Not Expansion.
Our opponents. conscious OF the weak
ness OF their cause. seek to confuse I'M
perialsm with expansion, and have even
dared to claim jefferson as a supporter
OF their policy. Jefferson spoke so freely
that no one can be- ignorant OF his views.
On one occasion he declared: ."lf there
be- one princiINt more deeply rooted than
any other In the mind OF every American,
II Is that we should have nothing to do
with conquest" And again he said:
Conquest Is not In our principles; 1t Is
| inconsistent with our government
The forciblc annexation Of territory to
be governed by arbitrary power, differs
| as much from the acquisition Of terri.
| tory to he built up into states as mon
archy differs from II democracy. The
Democratic party does not oppose expan-
| sion. when expansion cnlarges the area
| OF the republic and incorporates land
which can he settled by American citi-
zens, or adds to our population people
who are willing to become citizens and
are capable Of discharging their duties
as such. The acquisition Of the Louisi-
ana territory, Florida, Texas and other
tracts which have, been secured from time
to time, enlarged the republic. and the
constitution followed the fiag into the
new territory. 1t Is now proposed to
seize upon distant territory already more
densely populated than our own country,
and to force upon the people govern
ment. for which there Is no warrant In
our constitution or our laws. Even the
argument that this earth belongs to those
who desire to cultivate II and have the
physical power to acquire 1t cannot be
invoked TO justify the appropriation OF
the Philippine Islands by the United
States, for II the islands were uninhab-
tied American citizens would not be will.
ing to 20 there and till the soil. The
white race will not live so near the cQua.
tor.
A colonial policy means that we shall
send to the Philippines a few traders, a
few task masters aud a few Office-hold-
ers. and an army large enough to support
the authority OF a small fraction OF the
people while they rule the natives.
II We have an imperial policy we must
have a large standing army as its nat
ural and necessary complement. The
spirit which will justify the forcible an
nexation Of the Philippine Islands will
justify the seizure Of other islands and
J the domination Of other people, and
tain, IL not rapid growth Of our military
establishment. That n large permanen,
increase In our regular army Is intended
by the Republican leaders Is not mere
matter of conjecture, but u matter OF
fact
Menace Of Zig Army.
A large standing army is not only pc
cuniary burden To the people and, u
accompanied by compulsory service,
constant source of irritation, but 1t Il
ever a menace To II Republican form o.
government. \ small standing army an,
, well.equipped and well-disciplined Stat,
. militia are sufficient in ordinary times
and in any emergency the nation SHOULD
, In the future as In the past place Its de
. pendence upon the volunteers who CONF
from all occupations at their country
call and return to productive labor whel
their services are no longer required
men who fight when the country need
fighters and work when the country need
. workers.
: The Republican platform assumes tina
the Philippine Islands will be retained
under American sovereignty, and We hav
right TO demand Of the Republican lead
I. ers a discussion Of the future status o
the Filipino. Is he 10 he a citizen or
subjectg Are we to bring into the bod
polite eight or ten million Asiatics, s
different from us in race and history tina
anna lgamation is impossible! Are the
! 10 share with us In making the laws an
. shaping the destiny OF this nation! y
I Republican Of prominence has been boil
( enough to ADVOCATE such proposition
:. The Democratic platform describes tn
Z situation when IL says that the Filipino
!. cannot he citizens without endangerin
i our civilization. Who will dispute 1t
And what is the alternative! II tn
o Filipino is not 10 be a citizen, shall W
y make him subject? On that QuestiO
: the Democratic platform speaks wit
) emphasis. 1t declares that the Filipin
/. cannot be subject without endangerin
o our form Of government. a republic ca
). have no subjects,
g The whole difference between MOI
L archy and a republic may be- summed u
Q in one sentence. In a monarchy the kin
l. gives 10 the people what he believes TO b
n a good government: in republic the pee
n Pile secure for themselves what they b'
Q lieye 10 be a good government. The IL
e publican party has accepted the Euro
!, pean idea and planted itself upon III
!. ground taken by George II. and by ever
b. ruler who distrusts the capacity or IN
people for self. government or denies thei
!. voice In their own affairs.
\. Republicans Fear 20 Legisiate.
Il The Republican platform promises tina
70 some measure VI self-.oyernment Is