The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-08

J
Mexico. we acquired California and neigh
boring States and Territories, thus bring
lAs under our flag TO remain forever the
vast expanse stretching to the Pacific.
The policy OF aggressive expansion or
subjugation of distant islands, pursued by
the present administration finds no pre-
cedent in the peaceable cession of the Lott
isiana country by Napoleon, that of Florida
by Spain, nor that yet later Of the vast
Western area by Mexico. The territory
acquired under Democratic Administrations
WAS, with favorable climatic conditions
the ut abode for men Of our own race. At
the time CT annexation IL passed updss the
rule OF the Anglo-Saxon, who carried Eith
him our language and our laws. was
territory contiguous to our own and ac-
CURED with the declared intention when
conditions and population would Justify. of
carving ii into States. The result: Mil
lions of American homes, our national
wealth increased beyond the dreams of av-
arice, and the United States chief among
the nations of the earth. Can il be that
the new policy of forcible annexation of
distant islands finds precedent in the his
torlc events have mentioned?
The answer is found in the bare state
ment of facts. The territory acquired IN
Ger Democratic Administrations is contig-
uous-the Philippines 5000 miles distant.
Inc acquisition OF territory upon our own
continent added little to the national ex-
pense-to maintain permanent sovereignty
over the distant islands neeessitates i'm
mense expenditures upon our Army and
Navy More than that, it contempIates
methods Of administration that pertain not
to the republic but to the empire Can it
be doubted that the attempt to stife the
spirit OF liberty abroad will imperil popu-
lar government at home?
What is proposed by the party in power
for the government of these islands? If it
De intended to establish there our politi-
cal institutions. what then becomes OF the
Monroe Doctrine? This vital international
policy, announced by the President OF the
United States seVenty-seyen years ago
was: We owe 1T, therefore, to candoT ard
to the amiGable relations existing between
the United States and those powers to de-
clare that We should consider any ATTEMPT
on their part 10 extend their system to sny
portion OF this hemisphere as dangerous
to our peace and safety This was sup
pIemented by a disclaimer IN substance
upon our part of any intention TO TO ce
our Institution upon the nations Of Europe
OF their dependencies
Monroe Doctrine Enduring.
THE Monroe Doctrine is wholesome and
enduring. II is the faith of Americans of
every creed and party-is of the very warp
and wool of our political being II was
promulgated at the critical moment when
the holy alliance was attempting TO stlfle
the republican spirit and Te-establish the
despotfsm OF Spain upon her revolted
colonies in South America and Mexico The
essence of the doctrine as then understood
By the world was. while we forbid the es-
Enlistment OF despotic governments uEou
the American continent. We recognize the
corresponding obligation TO refrain from
any attempt to force our political system
upon any part of the Old World This has
been our settled rule Of faith and practice
for more than thTee-quarteTs Of e century.
It's PRONUNCIATION defeated the purpose of
the holy alliance and destroyed forever |
the power OF Spain upon this continent
Under it Louis Napoleon, third of
century ago, was compelled TO withdraw
the French Army from Mexico, and leave
the ilI-starred Macmillan to his fate. I'm !
der it The empire established by foreign |
bayonets disappeared and the republic was
restored Are We now 10 say We still re-
cognize the binding force of this doctrine
upon other nations but not upon our own ? |
by Force DespotisIn.
If ultimate Statehood for these remote |
others yet TO be conquered
be discIaimed how. then, are they to be
held and governed? The only alternative
is by foree-by the power Of Army and Ma
w, and this not for day or for year,
but for all time. What then becomes of
the bedrock principle that governments de- |
rive their just powers from the consent OF |
the governed? If they are to be held per- |
as conquered provinces it VIII be |
not only outside of the Constitution, but in |
direct antagonism to the letter and spirit |
Of the Declaration of independence II is |
no less true now than in the days OF our |
ont nv nrh
power is still despotism.' The attempt, |
then. either 10 give these people American |
or TO hold them as subjects is |
to US alike fraught with peril. Should there |
not be an immediate declaration by our |
Government of its purpose toward them? |
They should be given unmistakable assur- |
3nee of independence Protection by our |
Government should not be withheld against |
outside interference. The same protection /
.hould be theirs heretofore extended to the |
little States of Central and South America. |
Under existing conditions there should be |
no hesitation upon cur part in giving them |
protection against the cupidity or agrees /
i've spirit of other nations. All this not |
% the end of subiugation or of con-
quest upon our part, but TO that Of the full |
enjoyment by them of liberty and of the /
Ultimate establishment Of stable govern
nent furnished by their own hands
American politics the word is new-fortu-
fately the policy is new. We are daily be-
coming familiar with its meaning with its
orebodings-and the end is not yet. It
means permanent departure from all the
of the past; from the high ideals
IF the founders OF the Republic II abTo-
gates the holding of our great court that
he Declaration OF Independence is the spir-
I of the Government-the Constitution but
is form and letter. Imperialism knows
nothing of limitations Of power. It's rule
s outside the Constitution. 1t means the
ldoption by the American Republic of the
olonial methods of European monarchies
/ means the right to hold alien peoples as
subjects. 1t enthrones force as the con-
rolling agency in government. It means
he empire.
ism.
AS a necessary corollary to imperialism
viii come the immense standing army The
read hand Of milftaTism will be felt in the
Sew World as it is in the old. The strong
rmy Of power will be substituted for the
agencies which for more than a
entury have made our people eontented
nd happy. It was Jefferson who said: a
veil disciplined militia-our best reliance
4 peace, and for the first moments of
var True, at the beginning of the CEN
ury, with few millions of population; 10
ess true at the close. as we stand in The
orefront of the nations with population
t eighty millions. The result of our re-
ent conflict with Spain gives emphasis TO
he prophetic words of Jefferson. Existing
9T1di IN n toJ |