The Leon reporter., 1900-09-20
Nicar.su..


either do not appreciate the Importance
OF this great waterway to the mari
time strength and commercial inter-
ests of the country, or that they give
too much consideration to the interest
ed opposition Of transcontinental lines.
The Hays-Pauncefote treaty, now be-
fore the senate. would, If ratified.
greatly lessen the value of the canal,
If it would not indeed convert it into
positive menace in time of war. The
paramount interests of the United
States in the western hemisphere, to-
gether with the obligations to defend
the republics to the south of us, makes
1t necessary that our government shall
be able to close the canal against any
hostile power.
Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma
have long been ready to assume the
responsibilities and enjoy the privi-
leges of statehood, and 1t will be
pleasure. as well as duty, to carry
out the platform pledge concerning
them.
Alaska and Porto RIoo.
There will be popular acquiescence
in the demand for home rule. and a
territorial form of government in
Alaska and Porto Rico. Both are en-,
titled to local self-government and
representation in Congress.
Cuba.
The recognition contained in both
the Democratic and Republican plat
forms of the right of the Cubans to in
dependence, removes the general prin-
ciple involved from the domain of par
tisan politics. 1t is proper, however.
to consider whether the accomplish
ment of this purpose can be safely en-
trusted to the Republican party after
it has yielded to the allurements Of the
Colonial idea, and abandoned its ear
lier faith in the natural and inalien-
able rights Of man.
Reclamation of Arid Lands.
The time is ripe for systematic and
extended effort to reclaim the arid
lands and f1t them for actual settlers.
The last agricultural report estimates
that homes can thus be provided for
many millions OF people. The inn
pounding and use OF the waters which
are wasted in the spring would people
the western states with thrifty. intelli.
gent, and Industrious citizens. and
these would furnish a valuable market
for all the products of the factories. A
small percentage of the money spent
in war of conquest would provide oc-
cupation and habitation for more peo-
pie than would ever seek residence
in colonies within the tropics.
Foreign Alliances.
The reasons given by Washington,
Jefferson. and the other statesmen Of
the early days in support of the doc
trine that we should maintain friendly
relations with all nations. but enter
into entangling alliances with none.
are even stronger to-day than they
were a hundred years ago. Our COM
merce is rapidly increasing, and we are
brought into constant communication
with all parts of the world. Even II we
desired to do so, we could not afford to
ALLEVIATE many nations by cultivating
unnecessary intimacy with few. Our
strength and standing are such that it
is less necessary than ever before to
lean for aid upon the friendliness of .
foreign power.
We cannot connect ourselves with
European nations, and share in their
jealousies and ambitions without los
ing the peculiar advantage, which our
location, our character and our insti-
tutions give us in the worlds affairs.
Monroe Doctrine.
The doctrine enunciated by Monroe,
and approved by succeeding presidents.
is essential to the welfare Of the
United States. The continents of
North and South America are dedica-
ted to the development of free govern
ment. One republic after another has
been established, until to-day mon
archial idea has barely foothold in
the new world.
While it is not the policy Of this
country to interfere where amicable
relations exist between European
countries and their dependencies in
America, our people would look with
disfavor upon any attempt on the part
of European governments to maintain
an unwilling or forcible sovereignty
over the people living on this side OF
the Atlantic.
rronerlaIlsun.
The subjects, however, treated In
this letter, important as each may
seem in itself, do not press so impera-
lively for solution as the question
which the platform declares to be the
paramount issue in this campaign.
Whether we shall adhere to, or aban-
don those ideas of government which
have distinguished this nation from
other nations and given to its history
it's peculiar charm and value, is ques-
tion the settlement of which cannot
be delayed. No other question can ap-
proach it in Importance; no other
question demands such immediate con-
sideration. It is easier to lose repu-
tation than to establish one, and this
nation would find it a long and labori-
GUS task to regain its proud position
among the nations, if, under the stress
of Temptation, it should repudiate the
self-eyident truths proclaimed by our
heroic ancestors and sacredly treasured
during career unparalleled in the
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