Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-09-28
BOSS CROKER
Warmly Supported Expansion
in the New York Journal.
Views of the Tammany Leader-"An
Insult to Suggest that We Aban.
don the Peoples Rescued
from Bondage.
(From the New York Journal.)

(EFOm the new IOEh
Every man, in my opinion, should ex-
press himself clearly on the great ques-
ton of the day. That question is ma
tional expansion, which has been the
handspring Of this nation and the policy
of the Democracy since tire nations
birth. The views which follow are mine
personally, and write them as private
individuals:
believe in expansion; l believe in
holding whatever possessions we have
gained by annexation, purchase, or war
This policy is not only patriotic, but it
is the only safe one to pursue. Any
other policy would show weakness on the
part of the United States and invite for
eign complications. This must be avoid
ed, hence our policy must be vigorous. ,
Every patriotic American, and every
Democrat in particular, should favor ex-
pansion.
Jefferson was an expansiOnist, other
wise he would not have favored the ac-
quisition of Louisiana, with its foreign
population, which ia Jefferson 5 dime was
quite as remote as the Philippines. In
this age of steam and electricity, dis
tance Is no argument against expansion.
We spend millions annually for mis-
siOnary work in foreign countries. Now
we have a chance to spend this money
in our own possessions, and make the
people of our new lands good, law-abiding
citizens, who in time will be loyal to our
| Constitution and our flag. Take England,
for example. The people of this little
isle come pretty near owning the uni
verse. Are not our people as intelligent,
as powerful and as patriotic as the Eng
lish people? The United States is the
only country on earth superior to the
English. Why not illustrate TO the world
that we are fully able to cope with great
or problems than we have had occasion to
in the past, and in the future dominate
any emergency?
We have population Of eighty mill
ions OF people; the country teens with
young men full of life, hope and ambi,
ton. Why not give these young men z
chance to develop our newly acquirS
possessions, and build up country rival.
ing in grandeur and patriotism our own
United States?
1 say by all means hold on to all that
rightfully belongs to us.
IL the great country west of the Rocky
Mountains was filed with wild IndiuEl
ut the present moment, how long woua
it take us to suppress them and max,
them respect our laws and our Consti
tuition? The same thing applies to tn,
Philippines and any other country tha
may fall into our hands by the provnc
Of peace or war.
1t Is an insult to the American peo
pie and to our flag even to suggest tha
we abandon the peoples we have release
from bondage, or, what would be NOR
disgraceful, that we should offer to SCI
them to the highest bidder,
Such proposition places the America
people In the same category with tn
Chinese, who have neither patriotism no
foreign policy, and are in consequence
utilized as II doormat by the powers o
the world.
This Is too great Il question to he cor
sidered as mere matter of dollars an
cents. Our people want their rights pre-
tected; they will not figure on the cos
Bring it down to local government-i
the case Of street ceaning-the cry |,
"We want clean Streets" regardless O
the cost. They demand them as thei
right. Just so with our possessions
the people want the properties acquire
by war protected. They will pay for
standing army, powerful navy, and th
protection of our flag the world over r,
gardless OF any monetary consideration
They have proved their willingness {
sacrifice their blood for the honor @
their country and their flag! and whe
the question is brought to an issue the
will arise as one man and demand el
pansion as a citizens sacred right
! RICHARD CROKER.
New York, Jan. @, 1899.