The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1900-10-12
CROKER ON EXPANSION
What He Said In His Letter to the
New York Journal.
HOLD WHAT BELONGS TO US
Whether Gained by Expansion, Purchase,
War-Every Democrat in the
Country Should Favor Expansion.


Every man, III my opinion, shouldex-
press himself clearly on the great ques-
tion of the day. That question is nat
ional expansion, which has been the
handspring of this nation and the policy
of the democracy since the nation s
birth. The views which follow are
mine personally, and | write them as a
private individuals
II believe in expansions: [ 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 in
vite foreign complications. This must
be avoided, hence our policy must be
vigorous.
Every patriotic American, and every
democrat in particular, should favor ex-
pansion.
~''JetfersOn was an eXpanslonist other
wise he would not have favored the &C
qnisition 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
tance is no argument against expansion.
1--WE spend millions annually for mis-
sonary 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 god, law-Abid-
ing 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 universe. Are not our people as in
telligent as powerful and as patriotic
as the English people? The United
States is the only country on earth super
ior to the English. Why not demon
strate to the world that we are able to
cope with greater problems than we
have had occasion to IN the past, and in
tle future dominate any emergency?
I'VE have a population of eighty mil
lions of people; the country teens with
young men full of life, hope and am
bition. Why not give these young men
a chance to develop our newly acquired
possessions, and build up country
rivaling in grandeur and patriotism our
own United States?
II say by all means hold On to all that
rightfully belongs to u.s.
IF the great country west of the
Rocky noun aims was filled with wild
Indians IT the present momen1, how
long would it take us to suppress them
and m k them respect our laws and our
cor it1tion? The same thing applies
to the Phi}iol ines and any other coun-
try that may fail into our hands by the
province Of peace or war.
''lt Is an insult to the American people
and to our flag even 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 proposition places the Ameri-
can people in the same category with
the Chinese, who have neither patriotism
nor a foreign policy, and in consequence
utilized as doormat by the powers of
world.
'Hhis is too great question to be
considered as mere matter Of dollars
and cents. Our people want their rights
protested; they will not figure on the
cost. Bring it down to local govern
ment-in the case of street cleaning
the cry is, We want clean streets, re
gardless of the cost. They demand them
as their right. Just so with our posses
sions-the people want the properties
acquired by war protected. They will
pay for standing army, a powerful
navy, and the protection Of our flag the
world over regardless of any monetary
consideration. They have proved their
willingness to sacrifice their blood for
the honor of their country and their
flag! And when the question is brought