Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-09-20

well as a DUTY to carry out the platform
pledge concerning them.
AlaSka and Porto Rico.
There will be a popular acquiescence in
Porto Rico. Bo:h are entitled to local
self-government and representation In
congress.
The recognition contained in both the
democratic and republican platforms Of
removes the general principle involved
from the domain of partisan politics. II
is proper. however. to consider whether
be safely intrusted to the republican par
ty after it has yielded to the allurements
or the colonial idea. and abandoned its
earlier faith in the natural and inalien-
able rights of man.
Reclamation OF Arid Lands.
The time is ripe for a systematic and
extended effort to reclaim the arid lands
and ft them for actual settlers. The last
agricultural report that homes
can thus be provided for many millions
the waters which are wasted in the spring
would people the western states with
thrifty, intelligent and Industrious cit
liens, and these would furnish a valuable
market for all the products of the fac
tories. A small percentage of the money
spent in a war of %onquest would provide
occupation and habitation for more peo-
pie than would ever seek a residence in
colonies within the tropics.
Foreign
The reasons given by Washington. JEFF
early days in support of the doctrine that
we should maintain friendly relations
with al! nations. but enter into entan-
Cling alliances with none, are even strong
er to-day than they were a hundred years
ago. Our is rapidly increas-
ing. and we are brought into constant
communication with all parts of the
world. Even if we desired TO do so, we
could not afford to ALLEVIATE many nations
a few: Our strength and standing are
such that it is less necessary than ever
before to lean for aid upon the friendli-
ness of a foreign power.
We cannot onnecI ourselves with Eu-
ropean nations, and share in their jeal-
0 0as1eT and sd ambitions; v Without IT losing sdn the
our character and our institutions give
US in the worlds affairs.
Monroe Doctrine.
The doctrine enunciated by Monroe, and
sential to the welfare Of the United
States. The continents of North and
South America are dedicated to he de-
We lopment of free government. One re-
p Iblic after another has been established.
Uatil to-day monarchial idea has barely a
fDothold in the new world.
try to interfere where amicable relations
exist between European countries and
their dependencies in America, our peo-
attempt on the part of European govern
ments to maintain an unwilling or fore
ible sovereignty over the people living on
his side of the Atlantic.
The position taken by the republican
leaders, and more recently set forth by
the republican candidate for the pres
idtncy, viz: That We cannot protect a
nation from outside interference without
exercising sovereignty over its people, is
an assault upon the Monroe doctrine, for
while this argument is at this time di-
recteCi against the proposition to give to
the Filipinos both Independence and pro-
fnofinr ~ &c nn1101lU NJ IN n
republics of Central and South America.
If this government cannot lend its
ing subjects of it's people, then we must
either withdraw our protection from the
republics to the south of us or absorb
them. Under the same plea; that the
equal 20 it's responsibility, European ma
ions have for centuries exploited their
wards, and 1t is a significant fact that the
repubk can party should accept the Eu-
rcpean idea of a protectorate, at the same
time shat it adopts a European colonial
policy. There is no excuse for this aban-
Comment OF the American idea. We have
maintained the Monroe doctrine for three
of a century. The expense to us
has been practically nothing, but the pro-
lection has been beyond value to our sis
ter republics. If a Filipino republic is
erected upon the ruins of Spanish tyran-
ny, its protection by US will be neither
difficult nor expensive. No European ma
ton would be willing for any other Euro
woul any Eur0pean nation be willing
to provoke a war with us in order to OBJ
tain possession of the islands: If we as
Sert sovereignty over the FilipinoS we
will have to defend that sovereignty by
force. and the ~Fflipinos will be our enc
reference, they will defend themselves
and will be our friends. If they show as
much determination in opposing the SOW
ereignty of other nations as they have
in opposing our sovereignty, they
will not require much assistance from us.
Extravaganza.
The republican party, drawing as it does
campaign funds from those who
enjoy special privileges at the hands of
the government. is powerleSS to protect
the tax payers from the attack of those
in the treasury offers constant
to extravaganza and eXtraVa-
gance, in turn. compels a resort to new
means of taxation, which, in being kept in
the background until the campaign is
over, is a fair illustration of the imposi-
ton which will be attempted when there
is a considerable amount of money die
in the treasury. The rehabilitation of the
marine, laudable in itself, is
lie money for the benefit of large ship
owners, and in the interests of a trans
monopoly. The government be-
to collect from the people taxes
beyond the legitimate needs of a govern
ment honestly and effectively admins
tered, and public servants should exercise
same degree of care in the use of the
money that private individuals
III II 10 VI AC1 " IIOtlSy. WIN
a restoration of foreign policy consistent
American ideas there can be an
and large reduction in the bur-
now borne by the p aople.
Income Tax.
By inadvertence, the income tax plank
agreed upon by the resolutions commit
was omitted from the platform as
read and adopted. The subject, however,
IS covered by the reaffirmation of the
Chicago platform, and I take this occa-
sion to reassert my belief in the prin-
~ HI ,.-l h
congress should have authority to levy
collect an income tax whenever nee
essary, and an amendment to the federal
constitution specifically comforting such
authority ought to be supported by even
hose who may think the tax unnecessary
1t this time. In the hour of danger the
to be able to draft the pocketbook
Is well. Unless money is more precious
greater protection to the incomes of the
'ich than to the lives of the poor.
Imperialism.
The subjects. however. treated in this
Itself, do not press so imperatively for
solution as the question which the plat
orm declares to be the paramount issue
lere to or abandon those ideas of gov |
which have distinguished this
lation from other nations and given to
5 a question the settlement of which |
annot be delayed. No other question can
IL III lHlpOI ldHCe, no OllGr QueS- /
ion demands such immediate considera-
ion. 1t is easier to lose a reputation than
o establish enc. and this nation would
nd it a long and laborious task to regair
is proud position among the nations, if.
Lnder the stress of temptation, it should
epudiate the self-evident truths pro-
.laimed by our heroic ancestors and
acredly treasured during a career un-
in the annals of time. When
he doctrine that the people are the only
ource of power is made secure from fur
her attack we can safely proceed to the
ettlement of the numerous questions