The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1900-01-26
CAEMACK ON EXPANSION.
His speech Delivered at Omaha, Attract
ing Press Comment ana Attention.

ing Press Comme MT ana Attention.
The speech delivered at Omaha, Jan
uary 8, on the occasion of the jackson
Day celebration, by Congressman Car
mack, is attracting much attention at
the hands of the press for its force and
practical sense. In reference to the
trade increase idea which is being push
ed by the expansionists, Mr.. Carmack
said:
Sir, it is easy to demonstrate t.at
there is nothing in this argument of
commercial advantage and of extended
trade. On the floor of the house | have
called attention to the fact that the two
great nations which for the last few
years have been most rapidly extending
their foreign trade are the United States
and Germany, both noncolonial powers,
and that the two Britain and France,
have been as steadily and as rapidly los
ing their foreign trade. | will not take
the time now to dilate upon the argu-
ment: but let me ask you, sir, if you
have paused to consider what is involved
in the claim that territorial expansion is
necessary to our commerce? If for the
reason of any supposed commercial ad-
yantages, if upon the theory that the de
mands of trade justify territorial con-
quest, we seize and subjugate the Phil
ippine Islands, we commit this country
definitely and permanently to policy Of
criminal aggression If we have a right
to seize the Philippines because we can
make money out of it, why have we not
an equal right to seize any other terri
tory and subjugate any other people for
the like sufficient reason? There is not
an argument urged in favor of the pres
ent war that would not equally justify a
war Uf conquest against any Of our South
American neighbors. We have long
complained that we have not got our
share of their trade Why not take it
by force and violence and fence it in
wi h tariff wall? If we want a moral
excuse it is easy for us to say that they
are not fit for self-government accord
ing to our standard; that they are al
ways having revolutions; and then we
can throw in few words about fate or
destiny having cast us the duty of lead
ing them to higher civilization and a
greater prosperity, and we have all the
excuse we need for moving them down
by thousands. If we are justified in 90
ing 10000 miles away to she light and
blood, to scatter death and civilization,
TO save souls and to make money, why
should we not carry the torch of liberty
and destruction to our benighted and
unruly neighbors of South and Central
! America? sir, [ have nov the slightest
doubt that if this imperialistic madness
is not strangled in its birth, to this com
pleXion we shall come. When gentle
men tell us that expansion is the law Of
our being: that we must continue to ex
pand or perish, what does it mean ex
cept that this departure is not to enc
with the present war, but that we are
to go on seizing and subjugating wher
ever greed supplies the incentive anC
helplessness the opportunity to slay anC
plunder? Sir, whilewe are yet upo2 the
brink of this policy should we not pause
and consider?
Sir, enter my solemn protest agains
this new doctrine of slaughter and con
quest and tyranny for the sake of trade
In the face of the fact, sir, that our for
eign trade has foI years past been in
Creasing with ma velous rapidity almos
unparalleled 10 the history of the world
and that, too, without the possession O
a single colony, where is there any ap
parent necessity of entering upon this
perilous experiment? If, under the gov
ernment as our fathers established it, i
under the traditions which have prevail
ed from the foundation of our govern
ment, the products of our industry ar,
invading every market of the world why
Oh 4 lat,
and overthrow all our cherished idea
upon the mere hope that we may do bet
ter what we are already doing so well?'