Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-02-14
sIBlfY FOR EXPANSION.
The Pennsyiyonisn Opposes His Party on
Expansion as Well as Silver.

The Pennsyivenisn Opposes His Party on
Expansion as Well as Silver.
The following colloquy and speech
by Congressman Sibley on expansion
Is so far the most notable event OF
the present session OF congress. The
speaker received a veritable ovation
at Its close.
MI. Sibley Pa In an hours speech
criticised his fellow democrats for OPP
posing the annexation OF the Philip
pines. He had, he said, heard no ar
gument against territorial enlarge
ment which was not urged against
the annexation Of Louisiana and
Texas.
"Is there any parallel" asked Mr..
Cochran (Mo.). between the terri
tory In the Louisiana purchase, then
practically without population, and
the Philippines"
Nothing has been said about the
Philippines" replied Mr.. Sibley,
(which was not said about the terri
tory now Missouri. You In Missouri
were classed as barbarians."
But are the Philippines with q
population denser than Iowa, Mis-
souri,, Kansas and Nebraska, availa'
BILE for occupation?" asked Mr.. Coch'
ran.
81 think they are. When Jefferson
negotiated the purchase ofLouisiana
he was the target OF vituperation.
ridicule and reproach. From New
England came such epithets as ia
cobin,' 'imperialist,' 'perverter OF the
constitution yet all admit now thai
Jackson acted wisely"
"Do you believe the people in the
Philippines are susceptible OF the civ
ilization of the inhabitants Of the
Louisiana purchaser"
81 am not placing limitations upon
the powers of Almighty God" an
swered Mr.. Sibley. amid a round Of
Republican applause.
Proceeding, Mr.. Sibley pointed out
that modern methods had brought
the Philippines nearer than the Lou
isiana purchase OF Texas when they
were annexed.
In reply to MIR. C'ochran's taunt
that civilization was being shot into
the Filipinos, Mr.. Sibley said the his
tory Of civilization had been traced
In human blood. Wendell Phillips
had said that every achievement oil
human justice had gone from rack ia
rack and scaffold to scaffold.
"Shall we hold Porto Rico and the
Philippine archipelago" asked Mr.,
Sibley. Every foot. No nation on
earth has a higher right OF title to a
rod of soil. We have the double title
Of purchase and conquest, and my be.
lief IL that where once the shadow oil
our banner has fallen there will sur
vive n race of free men. And l would
hold Cuba until stability, order, good
government and the protection oI
life and property were assured.
81 am going to echo the presidents
query, who will hauldown the flag?
Who planted 1t? What cabinet
council, what warrior, what states
man, what senator or rep resentative
what body of men formed any plan
of conquest? The cries OF suffering
humanity rang out and we stopped
our ears. The groans were heavy
but we answered not. We saw them
stripped and wounded on our way
to JericO, and. like the priest and the
Levite, we passed by on the Other
side. Not unheard those cries and
groans at the throne Of the Almighty
who, to awaken us from u apathy
our almost criminal indifference. per
mitted the engines Of His wrath t.
hurl their thunderbolts under the
bows of the Maine. lying peacefully
at anchor In the Havana harbor.
"Not keenest sighted statesmen
nor most daring warrior. had dream
ed even Of the possibility OF great
gain, growth or greatness to come
to us as a nation from that war, o
which the blnwing up Of the Maine
was the first declaration. God ant
the valor Of the American arms CAV,
us that territory, not because we ar,
a nation altogether free, altogether
pure, altogether blaneless, but be
cause working through Him as al
fundamentally, He has given 1t thu
boldest, the ~freest, the most pro
gresslve, the most enlightened and