Willmar tribune., 1900-03-14

be applied and accounted for by the
President Of the United States, intend
ed as part of the price, was considered
as CONVEYING THE SANCTION OF
! CONGRESS- to the acquisition proposed.
The enlightened government of France
saw with just discernment the import
ance to both nations of such liberal
arrangements as..might best and per.
manently promote the peace, friend
ship, and interests of both, and the
property and sovereignty of all Lou.
isiana which had been restored to
them have on certain conditions been
transferred to the United States by
instruments bearing date the Both OF
April last. When these shall have
received the constitutional sanction OF
the Senate, they will without delay be
communicated to the Representatives
also for the exercise of their functions
as to those conditions which are with
in the powers Of the constitution in
congress.
"While the property and sovereign
ty of the Mississippi and it's waters
secure an independent outlet for the
produce Of the western states and an
uncontrolled navigation through their
whole course, free from collision with
other powers and the dangers to our
peace from that source, the fertility
Of the country, its climate and extent,
promise in due season important aid
to our Treasury, an ample provision
for our posterity and wide spread
for the blessings Of FREEDOM AND
]NCA AL LAWS.
''WITH THE WISDOM OF CONGRESS
III WILL REST to take those ulterior
measures which may be necessary for
the immediate occupation and Tempo
rary government of the country: FOR
IT'S INCORPORATION INTO OUR UNION;
for rendering the change Of govern
ment a blessing to OUR NEWLY ADOPT
ED BRETHREN: for securing to them
the rights of property and conscience;
FOR CONFIRMING TO THE INDIAN IN
HABITANTS THEIR OCCUPANCY AND
SELF GOVERNMENT, establishing
friendly and commercial relations
with them, and for ascertaining the
geography Of the country acquired.' -
After having taken possession Of
the newly acquired territory pursuant
to an act Of congress, President JEFF
ferson, in special communication to
congress reporting that fact, said:
''On this important acquisition, so
favorable to the immediate interests
of our western citizens, SO AUsPICIOUs
TO THE PEACE AND SECURITY OF THE
NATION IN GENERAL, which adds to
our country territories so extensive
and fertile, AND TO OUR CITIZENS
NEW BRETHREN to partahe of the Bless
ings of FREEDOM and sELF-GOVERN-
MENT, | offer to congress aud our
country my sincere congratulations" :"
Ia his second inaugural address
President Jefferson said:
II know that the acquisition of LOU
isiana has been disapproved of by
some from a candid apprehension
that the enlargement of our territory
would endanger its union. But who
can limit the extent to which the FED
ERATIVE PRINCIPLE may operate ef-
fective1y? The larger OUR AssoC1A-
TIoN the less will it be shaken by To-
Cal passions; and in any view is it
not better that the opposite bank of
the Mississippi should be SETTLED BY
OUR OWN BRETHREN and children than
by strangers of another family?
WITH WHICH SHOULD WE BE MOST
LIKELY TO LIVE IN HARMONY and
friendly intercourse?"
Now, how within reason an imperi-
alist can find anything analogous be-
tween the uttcrances of Jeffer-
son and the course of the present ad-
in the occupation and
government of the Philippines is be-
yond comprehension Nor is there
any similarity in the reasons for maxi
ing the acquisition. 1t will be noticed
that the strongest argument used
by Je fferson was that the
acquisition would tend to Sc
cure the peace OF the country. Have
you ever heard such an argument used
in favor of the acquisition of the Phil
[ppines? The reverse will be- true if
The American people tolerate the an
nexation of the Philippines as vassal
state. Our country's proud boast has
oeen that no foreign power would dare
invade our country owing to it's COM
oact and isolated position and it's i'm.
nense natural resources. What if we
1old the Philippines? Will not the
'oyal wolves Of the old world have a |
spot in which to strike US |
Dr. to threaten us in case their schemes
of robbery and plunder be interfered
With? McKinley's Philippine expan-
'ion i inevitably carries Imperialism
With II, engrafts q large military