The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1900-04-13
IMPERIALISM AND poR1 0 RICO
Issues Based Upon Constitutional nad
Human Grounds That Wiii
Help Democrats.

few weeks ago Il would have re-
auircd the gift Of a second sight 10 dis.
,over that OUT of the seemingly simple
matter of the fiscal government OF por-
to Rico would spring an issue that
would. for time az any rate. split the
republican party In twain and cause
more discussion. more dissension with
in the party ranks than has been wit
messed since the days when the presi-
lcut strovc to prevent war with Spain
forthe liberation OF Cuba. In sense the
Porto Rico tariff viii be leading issue
Of the campaign. Its importance pro-
cecds. however, not wholly from the
immediate issue involved In congress
that OF raising revenue from and for
the Porto Ricans-hut rather from the
fact that Il l. one incident. and glar-
ng one. in what the democrats believe
to be the steady progress of this admin
istration away from republican princi-
Piles toward the establishment Of en-
pire. II l. one chapter IN the fast grow
ing history OF imperialism In America.
ism-will beyond doubt be one Of the
most vital issues OF the campaign. tits
peculiarly 6tting that democratic
convention. held ON the anniversary OF
the adoption Of the Declaration Of In
dependence. should stand as the oppon-
eat of plan 20 tax a dependency with
out granting II representation in the
taxing hody-and that's the plan which
the republican house of representa-
tiscs nov proposes and which the pres
ident. after some yacillation. has eN-
pressed his willingness 20 accept.
But the whole programme OF imperi.
alism is an antagonism TO those ideas
which were cnunciaicd in the immor-
tai declaration. and which are the
foundation Of our national existence.
So obvious Is this that the more logical.
though less polite. defenders Of impc-
rialism have been compelled 20 throw
overheard both the Declaration Of In
and the constitution. de-
claring the one q mere collection Of fine
sounding but impractical phrases and
the other 20 have been outgrown. The
democratic party will stand a. the de-
fender Of the constitution. the unfaltcr-
ing champion Of every word gnd phrase
in Thomas Jcfferpon's declaration Of
defiance 20 that British power under
Whose wing to-day ID seems the United
States Is expected - nestle Cor protec-
ton
Nor Is this issue at neutrality-suspicious.
O. constitutional one alone. lf D. broad
ly human. cminently moral is-rc.
The autiimperialist sympathizcs with
the Bocrs IN their struggle for national
against robbcr m1n-
lrchy. but he dnds an impcriaiist adj
turning cold shoulder To-
he South African republics ard cod
.'iiuR Great Britain. The anti.impcrial
"a does MT believe that the way 10
itaks the Jnitcd Statcs respected and
popular 90 the east "a TO shoot down re-
morseiessly men who are struggling
Tor the liberties which they were led 20
believe We hadcomc thither ohclp them
secure he thinks there b. better iu.
ture for the flower % of,r Young man.
hood than 90 be used as food for pow
der or s8eridced 60 the deadly eli
mate OF a distant tropical archipela-
go lie holds that imperialism aud
60 hand in hand. and be-
licvcs with the fathers Of the republic
that a great standing army b. a mem
ace 10 the people lie knows that
policy OF despotism pursued toward
foreign peoples will In due time be
employed by our governing classes
Tor the subjugaiion 81 our own pco-
pie. and be points To the year OF milf
larry despoiism and martial law In the
'ocur d'Alcnc a. an early proof Of this
'act
For these reasons anii-impcrlalism
sill be an issue in the coming campaign
hat will not down. Among ail 10 viii
doubtless lead. Willis y. Abbott. in
chicago Times-IIerald.