The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1900-12-28

Mr.. Cleveland's expression in re-
gard to ex- President Harrison's ) ad-
dress at Ann Arbor. He is report
ed as saying:
81 saw a liberal synopsis Of it in
some Of the papers and regard il as
the best deliverance yet made onthe
subject which it discusses. it
seems to me those who desire to ac-
quaint themselves with the precise
question involved, and what terri
t)rial expansion means to our re-
public and what it threatens our
people, cannot possibly be afforded
"A better means of ightenment
than ex-President Harrison has fur
nished "
We think it would be difficult TO
point TO a feature of Gen. Harrison :
argument that was not fully and
ably covered by Mr.. Bryan in hi
speech of acceptance in this city on
Aug s, 1900. Gen. Harrison
showed how the acquisition OF the
Philippines Uttered from any former
acquisition of territory by the Uni
ted States. So did Mr.. Bryan. We
quote a passage that covers it:
"Our opponents, conscious Of the
weakness of their cause, seek to
confuse imperialism with expansion,
and have even dared to claim JEFF
ferson as supporter of their pol
icy. Jefferson spoke so freely, and
used language with such precision,
that no one can be ignorant Of his
views. On one occasion he de-
clared. ''If there be one principle
more deeply rooted than any other
in the mind of every American, tits
that we should have nothing To do
with conquest" And again he
said Conquest is not in our prin-
ciples; it il inconsistent with our
government. =
1.-The forcible ann xation Of ter
ritory to be governed by arbitrary
power, differs a. much from the ac-
QUESTION of territory to be built up
into states a monarchy differs
from democracy. The democratic
party does not oppose expansion,
when expansion enlarges the area OF
the republic ard incorporates land
which can be settled by American
citizens, or adds to our population
people who are willing to become
citizens, and are capable of dis
charging their duties as such. The
of the Louisiana terri
tory, Florida, Texas and other tracts
which have been secured from time
to time, enlarged the republic, and
the constitution followed the flag in
to the new territory. 1t is now
to seize upon distant terri
tory already more densely populat-
ed than our own country, and to ,
force upon the people government i
for which there is no warrant in ,
our constitution or our laws"
Certainly the distinction was not !,
made any palmer by Gen. Harrison /,
)r any other man. The other chief I,
point made BY Gen. Harrison was
that the constitution extended /,
wherever the United States ex- /,
tended. That was the position Of !
the democratic party in the last !
campaign, and Mr.. Bryan stated it !
thus: !
"In the sunlight of full citizen !
ship t. be enjoyed by the people !,
)f the United States and the twilight ,
,f semi citzins hip endured by the
people of Porto X co, while the I
.hick darkness of perpetual vassal-
age covers the Philippines? The
Porto Rico tariff law asserts the :
doctrine that the operation Of the !,
Constitution is conined to the forty !,
i've states. :
The democratic party disputes !
his doctrine and denounces it as :
TO both the letter and /
spirit of our organic law. There is !,
10 place in our system OF govern 7
nent for the deposit Of arbitrary 8
Ind irresponsible power. That the !,
eaders OF great prty should I
lain for any president or congress /,
he right to treat millions of people =
IS mere possessions" and dAal :
With them unrestrained by the :
or the bill of rights,
hows how far we have already de- (,
parted from the ancient landmarks, il
nd indicates what may BE- expect D
d il this nation deliberately enters y
Ipon career of empire. n
The territorial form Of government i
; temporary and preparatory, and
he chief securstv Of a citizen Of
erritory is found in the fact that he
nioys the same constitutional guar L
ntee and is subject to 'he sane q
eneral laws as a citizen Of a state. &
AXE away this security and his h