The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-03
BANQUET TO WRIGHT.
Member of Philippine Commission
Honored at Home.

AO4OI00 at AO4S.
Memphis, Tenn, April 3.-Gen Luke
F Wright, of the Philippine commits
sion, was rendered a, farewell banquet
by 200 distinguished men at the Pea
booy hotel After thanking his friends
for the sentiments expressed, General
Wright spoke on the question of ex-
pansion and reviewed the purchase of
Louisiana and the taking in of Florida,
Texas, California and Alaska Gen
ersl Wright continued: I'VE may as
sumo. therefore, if there is any force in
the doctrine of practical construction,
that the power to expand is inherent
and inexhauStible. In short, that
whatever additional territory the people
of the United States think they need
and can rightfully acquire, they may
constitutionally take.
In each instance the question is one
of eXpediency and not of power to be
determined upon a consideration of all
the attendant advantages of the trans
action.
Il know of no one who is-certainly
I am not-a thick and thin expansion
iSt- 1t would be both foolish and i'm
moral for US to 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-
ton or purchase, any needed territory
which we think useful to our people,.
The speaker said that the argument
against imperialism seemed to him ir-
relevant as it sets up a man of straw
to be knocked down. The only imperator
to whom our allegiance is due is the
viii of the sovereign people, expressed
IN a manner they have subscribed.
General Wright said it has always
been his belief that the island of Cuba.
should be a, part of the United States.
1t is so situated, as glance at the map
/ will CHI &c to o hn n
| of Mexico and the Caribbean sea. In
| orr hands the former becomes as it
ought to be, an American lake. 1t
commands the Nicaragua canal when
| built.
Cor tinuing, the speaker said: ct do
not subscribe to the doctrine that
| wherever the flag once floats it must
float forever; but I do say that wher-
ever the flag is rightfully raised it
| should never be furled in violation of
| the dictates of duty and honor. To
abandon these islands now, to my mind,
would be blot upon our good name
| among mankind for all time.
| when all opposition to our authority
| is at an end, and not before, the ques-
ton as to how the islands can be best
governed comes at once and always not
only a legitimate but a highly impor-
tant topic for discussion. There shall
be upon this, as upon all other impor-
tant matters full and free interchange
OF thought
Permit me to say, that take it we
are all agreed that whatever is best
fer these, our new wards, is to be first
nsidered-humanity justice anC
sound policy alike dictate this. We ar;
further agreed that so far as it is in oul
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 VIZ
are OF one mind, that as speedily as car
safely be done, they should have rep
resentative government on the lines
adopted for our other territories. Jus
bow far we can at once go in that di
raction and just what instrumentalit!
Of government shall be presently oper
alive can only be determined after in
teIlisent and honest investigation, ant
in the nature of things must largely de
pend upon the attitude towards us o
the Filipinos themselves.
These and other grave considera
items bar the United States from throw
! ing off the burden of the Philippines.
! i. be a burden. The path of duty lie
plain before US and we cannot honor
ably recede if we would"
, General Wright closed with an af
= fccticnate goodbye to his friends an
,. associates.