The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-07
NhS FIRST IN ANTI
John Temple Graves Explains
His Conversion
TO STRONG EXPANSI0NISM
Besides Is God Ordinance for
the Worlds Good.

Dental eIector and thorough-gOing
southern man, is an ardent expansionist.
To a representative of the Tfmes-Herald
Mr.. Graves said yesterday
so far as my recollections go, I am on
record as having delivered the first speech
made in the South against the present
policy of territorial expansion.
"On the 4th day of July. 1Sss-the day
after Cevera's destruction-I was the ora
tor of the jefferson celebration at Allan
! ta Ga, and expressed an earnest oppo-
sition on moral grounds to the permanent
holding of territory in the Philippines or
Cuba.
why have changed my opinion since
| that time? Because conditions have
changed and the point of view is mater
tally altered and enlarged. If the condi-
| tons were the same l should perhaps
think now as I though then, that for the
| United States, in the hour of splendid
triumph, to put back the fruits of victory
and declare a high and unselfish purpose
toward these islands would electrify the
nations and tonic the moral sentiment of
the world
But we did not do it then. The time
| is past when the act would impress and
events, and of reason. and of humanity,
1t seems now that there is a better and a
greater thing to do. The march of events,
the development of conditions, the know
ledge of surroundings, and above all the
evident providence and the logical duty
made manifest in the whole custom, have
materially changed the first and impul-
sive view. 1 have neither been blind to
m md no
| orableness of expansion addresses my
judgment while my conscience is amply
satisfied as to its beneficence
Among all the voices great or small
that are demanding so loudly~that we
should not hold on in the Philippines
have not heard one of them describe
reasonable, honorable and practical way
in which we can let go. For the time be-
ing it is absolutely imperative that we
should hold on. and no wise man can
limit the time, the way or the conditions
under which we could safely and duti-
fully withdraw to our own credit or to the
real and permanent welfare of the is
lands
81 accept expansion as a fact-an &C
complished fact. 1t is no longer a ques-
ton. We have already expanded. The
question is not now whether we shall ex-
pand but whether, having already ex-
banded. we shall contract the limits Of
our opportunity and of our duty.
IF I were disposed to consider the is
sue from mere material or sectional
standpoint it would have been easy to
reach these conclusions from the begin
ming. AS to the health and fertility of the
islands, their vast resources. their mex
haustible riches, their inherent value, and
above all as to the immense strategic
and commercial Importance which they
carry in this commercial age, 1 do not be-
lieve that any thoughtful and unbiased
mind will enter protest.
In this connection 1 regard the recent
great speech of Senator Beveridge of In
diana as exceptionally important and in
terestng. His personal and intelligent
testimony has great weight with me. In
his high capacity as senator of the Unit
ed States and juror for this vital issue. he
went to the East as a dilligent and heroic
investigator. He went for the especial
perpose of studying the question on the
ground from a face to face observation
of the conditions and relations upon
made up Cruising for 2.000 miles along
the island seas and traversing on foot
and on horseback some 1850 miles of in
land territory. many times right On the
firing line with the soldiers Of the repub-
lc-seeing with both eyes. talking, ask
ing questions. studying, probing and
| thinking, l do not hesitate to express the
opinion that he went further, saw more
and touched more deeply and intimately
the conditions of interest than any citi-
zen, privat or official, who has discussed
| the situation.
Because I personally know Senator
| Bevridge to be the soul of honor and the
| embodiment of patriotism, as well be-
cause of his high station as a senator OF
the republic, he appears TO me an excep-
/ tionally high and credible witness. and
/ his testimony the most comprehensive
/ and conclusive evidence for expansion
/ which has been offered the public.
| While l am referring TO Senator Bev-
! eridge, let me say further that the moral
| passage of his great and brilliant speech
the evangelical section, as it were-is
| in my judgment, the Hottest and most
/ convincing passage Of eloGuence contrib
I
/ that the high light which Eliminates It
/ has given a clearer and more definite per
! spective TO my own moral view OF the
! great issue at stake.
| And this intelligent and unimpeachable
/ witness makes mora and more apparent
/ the Incompatible material advantages.
and. in fac;. the material necessity Of
/ holding or 70 the magnificent possessions
( that have come 70 Us.
/ From a selfish and sectional stand
point the material interest OF nay own
/ section-she South-in expansion is vast
and apparent
I'VE have nothing 20 fear from a.ien Ia
I Dor. even IL by a stretch Of the magma
{ ton the ghost OF alien labor could Be IL
Z vokeI from this issue. The great staple
and material productions o. the South
would expand and flourish in the mighty
markets OF the East The colossal trade
+ OF China and Japan and The unlimited
/ markets ~ The undsveloDed bat teezasug
/ Orient mean IS much and more 20 The
/ gAlf and southeastern states 1han % any
other section OF the republic
/ II i be argued that The resent cor
cessioas b. European powers q al open
/ door in China gives 70 Us al The conner
cial opportunity that We desire thers. Il
is truthful and logical answer - say
I that she open door w2A swung vide a; the
J Bidding Of our naval base a. Manila Il
would have opened "a the diplomatic
! touch less easily, & a. all. but Tor tAe 81
perb possession Won by oEr nav 81 TIE
/ Pacific. and Il would 40; Be- LIKELY 10 re-
/ s1ain opea z Ne s5oals haul 37Eu CIR
nas. withdraw eur troops, and t-scln1s 2