Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-23
GEN. SMITH DNExPANSlON


Charles Emory shlth, POSTMASTER Gem
eraI, was the chief speaker last night al
the sixteenth annual celebration of Wash
ington's birthday BY the Michigan Club of
Detroit.
After reviewing the, political and CONNER
ciaI history of the country from Washing
tons time to the present Mr.. Smith took
I'D the question of expansion. Regarding
the attitude Of this country toward it's new
possessions he said:
1--WE did not seek the responsibilities that
have come upon us. but, having come, we
will not shirk them. The glorious work Of
Dewey and his men behind the guns was
completed in a single morning. The Span
ish feet was destroyed. The menace on the
Pacific vanished But who then demanded
that he should sail away? What voice IN
Congress was then raised to call for his
withdrawal? What voice In the country
then proposed that he should leave the har-
Dor of Manila? On the contrary, when ne
reported that troops were needed to hold the
city, who did not insist that the troops
should be sent? We cannot take obligations
today and repudiate them tomorrow. We
moral right and by treaty covenant. and
we are there for liberty, for humanity and
for civilization. What American will under
take to blot the American name by declar-
ing that American rule is wrongful and OPP
pressfve rule? Who will venture to assert
that any people lose their freedom simply
because the chosen flag of freedom floats
over them? Why should any who
loves the stars and stripes, which are the
emblem of all we hold dear, believe that
they do not carry liberty and justice and
protection wherever they may be unfurled
over other lands?
-.eThrough all the anxious weeks of last
summer when tragic fate hung over China,
and through all the weary months of nego-
tiation, what American has not turned with
pride to the attitude and action of the Pres
ident of the United States? His was the
voice of mingled resolution and restraint in
the critical hour, ard~l1is has been the I'M
varying word of reason and moderation in
all the later counsels. The President and
| Secretary of State, faithful to American
principles, have carried American diplomacy
| to new heights. But the prelude and the
| prerequisite of that brilliant chapter was
| the preceding and glorious chapter at Ma
Mia. Three years ago no power would have
| asked or cared what the United States
| thought or proposed in China Three years
! ago had the tragedy of Pekin come then,
we should have been compelled to look on
| helpIessly and hopelessly from a distance,
and been wholly dependent on foreign aid
| for the rescue of our beleaguered min
| lister. 1t our possession of the Phil
| ippineS that gave US the moral position,
| the acknowledged right and the physical
| force to share in the advance of Christen-
| dom. That demonstration of our power in
calculably enhanced the prestige the in
| fuence and the opportunity of our country.
| and whether we were to retreat or hold
| fast, then or now. WHY ana Is the turning
point which decides whether to sac
! rifice all that we have gained and earn the
| contempt of the world or whether we are
worthy of our high estate, and equal to it's
great responsibilities.
I'VE are face to face with the problem
| of Cuba. 1t is not for me and this Is not
| the hour to discuss the questions it
| involves. But there is ond truth for which
| all times are fit and 'on which all Ameri-
cans are unrestrained. Fhe Monroe doc
trine IS the dominant law of the American
continent. 1t has been during three-quar-
tiers of a century, and it will be during all
the centuries to come. No declaration of
Congress .impairs its validity or it's force
and all declarations Of Congress are to be
interpreted in harmony With its principles
We do not seek in'ACuba any recognition
which is not in essence and in substance
| embraced in the Monroe idectrine, any
authority which did not Justify and demand
our Intervention In 1885, but we may well
pause to- consider whether 1t is wise to
leave all possible, developments; of the fu
ture to be determined by9the enforced APP
plication of oura historic policy when the
emergency comes. whether it is better
to agree now upon safeguards which shall
| insure security and spare the necessity Of
! resorting to; reserved rights hereafter.
| Whatever issto be done should be done in
| the interest of the people of Cuba, and we,
| who through blood and sacrifice have given
| them their independence and liberty, will
| be their truest friends and their surest re-
| lance in the new career on which they
| enter
1.-THE American people do not desert duty.
| American resolution does not retreat. We
| shall encounter difficulties. We may make
| some mistakes, But. through difficulties
| and over mistakes we shall go steadily for
| ward, with American faith and courage, to
| the sure fulfillment of the American mis-
| sion. -