The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-30
To Dissipate Darkness.

The Constitution is never better
pIeased than when engaged in dissipat-
| ing the darkness of its contemporaries.
EspecialIy when SO impressionaDle
subject is at stake as The Journal, or
Albany. n. Y, do we feel impelled 10
linger by the roadside for season 10
drop n few words of information.
A late issue OF The Journal fixes up
a puzzle as follows. which it becomes
our duty TO untangle:
In The Atlanta Constitution we nhu
this truly remarkable statement;
.-rhe Constitution firmly beleVes ., INA,
the DESTINY of Cuba - 10 peconhe " P"'
OF the great repuOic. -. ,,,
We should like TO be Informed how the
Constitution reconciles its statement OF
that belief with its support OF the Bryah-
lite platform. in which IL is declared:
'sW.. demand the prompt and honest
fulfllment OF our pledge TO the Cuban peo-
pie and the world. that the United states
had no disposition or intention to exercise
sovereignty. jurisdiction or control over
Can anything more "imperialistic' be
imagined that the belief of the "anti-im-
perialsiic'' Constitution that Cuba. to
which the United States has pledged itself
TO give independence is destined 20 be-
come a part of the United States?
Verify the ways of the anti-imperial-
lists are fun Of pitfalls and snarcs which
they have diggyed and laid for one an
other.
The puzzle becomes dense to The
Journal only from its point of view.
The Constitution has consistently
protested against forcible military oc-
cupatiOn for purpose of dominion over
any part OF the globe. We have
drawn attention TO the fact that the
pledge of independence to Cuba was
Inf IN,
congress. which even sought for
more pronounced recognition OF the
government for which Maximo Gomez
was cOmmander-in-chief. Failing in
the larger purpose. the democrats fore
ed the smaller and have the pledge
which is the sheet anchor of Cuban
hopes. We went further and declared
that IL the same pledge as to our inten-
tions had been made TO the Filipinos,
there would have been no war there,
and these people. like the Cubans,
would have been engaged in building
up their local institutions, so as to be
prepared for the responsibilities of in
dependence. which, sooner or later,
should come to them. This was the
democratic position first and last as ii
has been the contention of The Con-
stitution all the way through.
But our friend is mystified because
we have declared that 1t is 'the desti-
ny OF Cuba TO become a part OF the
great republic" To this declaration
we still hold without equivOcation. EX-
pansion is democratic doctrine. and
through il we have extended our bor-
ders TO the Pacific. not through greed
for empire. but for the extension of
the principles OF constitutional liberty.
Every foot of ground has been given
the independence of statehood as soon
as il had n seif-suppOrting population.
That the Cuban people. impelled by the
necessities of the case, and the bene-
fits To be derived from connection with
>s United States. will yet seek admis-
sion into the union we are fully CON
vinced. Here is their market, and
they Will naturally seek the closest pos
sible relation with il. When Cuba de-
sires such annexation, which we be-
lieve To be destiny, she will come in as
a fulI-nedged state. with autonomy as
independent as that of Georgia or New
York.
EXPANSION. which means the gradual
and constitutional accretion of terrific
~ and population. is democratic; i'm
nerialism. which would conquer and
destroy. making vassals of its victims
is republican. The dividing line Is
pIain enough. whether The Journal
sees il that way or not.
Territory for free states. but not an
inch OF ground for vassal colonies.