The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-04
THE EXPANSION QUESTION,
General Wright Says With Us II is One
Of Expediency Instead OF Power

MEMPHIS. April S--Ciencral Luke F.
Wright OF the Philippine Cemmissio n
was rendered a farewell banquet by
two hundred distinguished men at the
Peabody Hotel. After thanking his
friends for the sentiments expressed.
General Wright spoke on the question
of expansion and reviewed the purpose
Of Louisiana and the taking in of Flori-
da, Texas. California and Alaska. Cen
eral Wright continued:
I'VE may assume therefore. il there
Is any force in the doctrine Of rracti-
cal construction, that the power to ex-
pand is inherent and inexhaustible In
short. that whatever additional terri
tory the people OF the United States
think they aeed and can rightfully ac-
quire, they mag constitutionally take,
In each instance the question is one
Of expediency and not Of power. to be
determined upon d consideration Of all
the attendant advantages Of the trans
action.
Il know Of. no one who is certainly
am not a thick and thin expansion
list. II would be both foolish and im-
moral for us 20 pursue policy Of greed
and aggression, especially against our
weaker neighbors. On the other hand
It would be equally foolish and short
sighted TO fail to acquire. by negotia-
tion or purchase. any needed territory
which We think useful to our people"
The speaker said that the argument
against imperialism seemed tn him ir-
relevant as il sets up a man of straw
to be knocked down. The only emperor
to whom our allegiance is due is the
will of the people, expressed in a man
ner they have subscribed. General
Wright said it has always been his be-
lief that the island CT Cuba should be
a part of the United States. 1t is so
situated, as a elan:e at the map will
show. as to the key to the Gulf of
Mexico and the Carrie ean Sea. In cur
hands the former becomes as it ought
to be, an American lake. II commands
the Nicarauguan canal when built.
Continuing. the speaker said:
Il do not subscribe to the doctrine
that whereve. he flag once floats it
must float forever; nut do say that
whenever the flag IS rightfully raised
it should never be furled in violation
of the dictates Of duty and nonor. To
these islands now, to my mind,
would be blot upon our good name ,
among mankind Cor all lime.
When all opposition to cur author
ity is an end. aud no; before. the ques-
tion as to how the islands can be best
becomes at once and always .
not only legitimate but a highly i'm 4
portant topic for discussion. There
shall be upon this. as upon all other
important matters. fun and free in
if though.
"Perini. ME TO say that l take it we
are all agreed that whatever is hest ,
for those, our new wards, is to be first
humanity, justice and sound
policy alike dictate this. We are fur
ther agreed that so far as it is our
power to give it, they shall have the
same civil and religious liberty, same
rights Of person and property that we
ourselves enjoy; and. finally, that we
are Of one mind, that as speedily as can
safely 1e done, they should have repre-
sentative government on the lines /
adopted for our other territories. Just
how far we can at once 50 in that
AMI lust what instrumentality
Of government shall be presently oper-
ative can only be determined after in
telligent and honest investigation and
n the nature Of things must largely
depend upon the attitude towards us
Of the Filiplnos themselves.
These and other grave considera-
tions bar the United States from
throwing off the burden Of the Philip
pines if it oe a tnrden. The path Of
duty lies plain before us and we can
not honOrably recede II we woul1."
General Wright closed with an affcc
ionate goodbye to his friends and as
,ociates.
cTANnTNrn Nv CANTDCON