The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-08-11

The oyershadowing issue in the present
presidential campaign is Republic vs.. Empire
We do not mean by this that the election OF
Mr. Mckinley and Republican House OF
REPRESENTATIVES to sustain him will result AT
once in the establishment of an Empire IN
name Int we do contend that such result IN
November will be an endorsement OF the
Hanna, cKinley Administration for the past
three years, and that the Administration has
greatly departed from the long established
nolicy of the United States. The ConSutu-
lion. we have been told, is too small for GU
enlarged borders, the Declaration Of 4nder
pendeuce has been set aside, the Monroe
Doctrine nulHfed, and the President has
been given unwarranted powers and others he
has assumed. with but little protest from hls
own party.
Most all republics have lapsed into mon
arches by slow stages, aud the republic OF
the United States has been drifting that way
the past two years faster than the liberty io'-
ing people have been aware. The changes
have not been much felt at home, and they
have been kept concealed by the talk OF war
for humanity's sake, the liberation OF OPP
pressed subjects OF Spain IN Cuba, Porto hico
and the Philippines, the spread OF the Gospel
and nrotection of missionaries. The declared
high purposes ofthe departure from the former
policy of political isolation and the limitations
of the Constitution have obseured to large
degree the actual danger OF such departures
But the people are nov beginning to realize
where the republic Is drifting. Three wars an
two years is the result OF meddhug WITH The At
fairs of other governments and a secret under
standing with Great Britain. The war with
Spain was an nnprovoked assault upon weak
government, and after the footing o. Cuban
treasure the Cubans no doabt regret our m
reference. The war with Spain had scarcely
ceased before war in the Philippines was
begun. and that Is still unsettled and Il war m
China is on These wars are costly 10 blood
aud treasure, aud the end Is not visible. The
entry into China and cooperation with foreign
powers in that country may lead to very Sc
rious consequences. not with China but with
European powers. Aud these wars aud for
eign entanglemeuis present the opportunity
for departing from the Constitution and the
long established policy OF the United States.
When the war with SPAN was declared the
President was handed over $50, O00,00 10 use
as he desired. No governments were estab-
lished for the acquired islands. Their govern
ments were entrusted entirely to the Presi-
dent. Congress did not provide for the pur-
chase Of arn,orplate, bat left il 10 the Score Z
tary Of the Navy, who Is subject 10 The Presi'
dent, Tor be can be invited TO resign should
he not heed the Presidents advice No pol
lev as to our action in China-thAt was left
TO the President, also. Such concentration
ofpower no other President has accepted.
None of the earlier oues would have assumed
such power, bat wonld have assembled Con
gress 20 deal with all these matters. Aehin-
lev likes free rein. HI aud Hanna do not
want to be hanpered BY laws aud the Con
stitution Their purposes are outside OF the
Constitution and The limitations OF laws nuder
Il. The United States are to be- world
power, with a large army and a vast navy,
with \ say W at Ao'eis"
republic cannot be such power, and the re-
public is to be set aside, except IN name, and
an imperial government IN fact is to be sub
stituted. To this end some long steps have
been made in the vast power placed ia the
hands Of the Hanna Mckinley Administra
ton. The election Of Mckinley viii be an
endorsement Of this, and be aud Hanna will
go forward to carry further their scheme Of
empire.
The people should stop and ponder this
matter. The republic is at stake. Upon the
result Of the election in November depends
the question Of Republic or Empire