The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1900-09-20
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.)

AoAh oOuhh oAs 'F u.
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 beer the
handspring Of this nation and the policy
OF the Democracy since the nations
birth. The views which follow are mine
personally, and I write them as a private
individuals:
l believe in expansion; I 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-
QUESTION of Louisiana, with it's foreign
population, which in Jefferson's time was
quite as remote as the Philippines. In
this age of steam and electricity, dis.
lance 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.
fish 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.
er problems than we have had occasionlto
in the past, and in the future dominate
my emergency?
We have a 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 q
chance to develop our newly acquired
possessions, and build up a country rival.
ing in grandeur and patriotism our own
United States?
l say by all means hold on to all that
r%ightfully belongs to us.
II the great country west Of the Rocky
t"ouAIoAAo "dD ulleu Will VIII 1lUluuS
at the present moment, how long would
it take us to suppress them and make
them respect our laws and our Consti.
tuition? The same thing applies to the
Philippines and any other country thai
may fall into our hands by the province
of peace or war.
1t is an insult to the American PEG,
pie and to our flag ever to suggest that
we abandon the peoples we have released
from bondage, or, what would be more
disgraceful, that we should offer to sell
them to the highest bidder.
Such a'proposition places the American
people in the same category with the
Chinese, who have neither patriotism MOI
a foreign policy, and are in consequence
utilized as a doormat by the powers OF
the world.
b is too great a question to be con.
sidered as a mere matter of dollars and
cents. Our people want their rights pro.
tected; they will not figure on the cost
Bring IL down to local government-ir
the case of street .cleaning-the cry is
I'VE want clean Streets" regardless OF
the cost. They demand them as Their
right. Just 81 with our possessions
the people want the properties acquired
by war protected. They will pay for q
standing army, powerful navy, and the
protection Of our flag the world over re
CARELESS Of any monetary consideration
They have proved their willingness tt
sacrifice their blood for the honor Of
their country and their flag! and wher
the question is brought to an issue they
will arise as one man and demand ex
pansion as a citizens sacred right!
RICHARD CROKER.
New York, Jan. 6, 1899.