Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-28
TWELVE PAGES.
SATURDAY. APRIL Is. 1900.
THE STATE CONVENTION AND
NATIONAL ISSUES.

The campaign for Constitutional re-
vision and matters related thereto have
SO absorbed the attention of the press
and the people that little has been said
upon the relation of the Democratic
State Convention to National issues.
For n any reasons it is worth while to
inquire whether 1t would no. be we'll
for the convention to depart from the
customary program of merely adopting
more or less pcrfunctory resolutions re-
affirming the national platform of the
party; denouncing the National adj
ministraton of the opposing party and
commanding the course of this or that
favorite son u9on national qestions.
These things are well enough in their
way. and under normal conditions are
quite sufficient.
Conditions just now, however are not
normal. New issues have injected them
selves into national politics since the
last national platform was adopted. is
sues that by their own force will make
themselves paramount In the approach
ing campaign. 1t is useless to attempt
to deny or to disguise 1t. Recognition of
It involves no reputation of the issues
of 1896. 1t lays the party open to no
charge of oprortunism. 1t shows mere
ay that the party has the dlscernment
to see and the courage to decide and to
act promptly In determining its rela-
tlon to n grave national crisis. Let there
he no mistake about 1.-THE question of
what treatment shall be accorded our
newly acquired possessions and their
status under the flag. will be the deter
mining factor in the approaching cam
paign. Around that the battle will rage
most flercely; on that mainly the fight
will be won or lost.
Just now there is infinite mlsunder-
standing. uncertainty. hesitation, doubt.
misrepresentation OF the Democratic at
titude. Democrats are anti-expansion-
lists, ''lttle Americans" say their op-
ponents. II care not whether you call
1t Imperialism or Expansion" exclams
Mr.. Hanna. Expansion and Imperialism
are used interchangeably. as though
they meant the same thing, whereas
they may have meanings, as widely diff
ferent as freedom and tyranny. In the
premises. md specifically, where does
the Democracy stand?
There can be no authoritative state
ment of its position until the national
convention meets at Kansas City There
can, however. be a succinct and definite
statement earlier. Why should It not
be made by the Democracy of Virginia?
1T Is the Virginia ideal of government
that the Mckinley administration. with
its rant of destiny" and "Christiani-
cation" and whatnot. seeks to over
throw. Why should not the Virginia
Democracy take the occasion of the
State Convention to make clear tho diff
ference between the Expansion of
Thomas Jefferson and the Imperialism
of William McKinley,and declaring for
the former. give TO the country the key
note of winning campaign?
1t Is no idle boast of the Inperialistsi
that ti-Expanson will not he a win
ming bettle-cry. Expansion we have al
ready. Porto Rico and Hawaii are ours.
We can not, and wish not. to be rid of
them. The sentiment of the American
people is overwhelmingly against being
rid of them. But 1t is just as over
whclmingly against holding their peo-
pie aliens, and subjects. into satrapies.
mere appendages OF the executive OF
this nation, augmenting his power as
the dispenser of patronage and pelf,
n feeding ground for hungry carpet
baggers. the victim OF all that Is most
greedy and dispicable in spols politics.
Between the Crown Colony. and the