Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-08-28
DEMO-
CURAy ANNEXATION
CRATIC ISSUE.

CRATIC ISSUE.
The Somnolent Organist of Four
teenth street has finally walked up to
the fact that Cuban annexation may be
the prime Democratic issue Of the next
national campaign. When our neigh
bor was confronted by this piece of in
formation, which-to her-was entirely
new and startling, she thus comment
ed thereon:
.rThe suggestion is eminently Democrat
ic and it would not be surprising If the
Democratic party accepted ii. 1t has been
guilty of greater Inconsistency in the
past, and as it is now without a hope for
the future 1t is likely to grasp at any
thing. 1t is equal TO anything in the po-
litical contortion line. But what fun it
will be If II does espouse the question OF
annexation.
All which goes to show that the SOM
nolent Organist could give Rip Van
Wrinkle cards and spades and beat him
at not keeping awake as to what Is
going on in the political world.
Cuban annexation is nothing If not
Democratic. It is as Democratic as
the annexation of the Philippines is I'M
Democratic and un-American.
The Old Girl has got them mixed
Cuba is virtually part of the
American continent, is close within the
scope of the Monroe Doctrine and the
United States must defend her from
Vf40iR aggression just as if she were
q Jlafe of the American Union.
The Philippine archipelago is on the
other hemisphere, ten thousand miles
from our shores; the inhabitants can
never be assimilated with our popula-
ton and the possession of these
Malay islands can be nothing but
vastly expensive burden, cause OF
never ending trouble and source OF
weakness in our foreign relations.
- Cuba. on the other hand, is rich, fer
tile and right at our door; she will
shortly be rehabilitated and largely
populated and owned by Americans.
Cuba is in all ways ripe for annexation
to the United States which must pro-
tect and stand sponsor for her in any
event.
1t is amusing to hear our neghbor
talking on this subject as if Cuban an
nexation were something never before
heard of as a Democratic policy, when
the fact is the Register has for years
strongly advocated Cubap annexation
as one of the winning Democratic is
sues of the day.
In an interesting article, which woke
mn the Old Lady to what was going on
in American politics, the independent
Washington Post says:
ut would not be a surprise to close stu
dents of American politics, past and pres
ent, If the paramount issue of 1904 should
be Cuban annexation, not forclole, pu'
peaceful annexation to the Island of Cuba
with full territorial rights, with the con
stitution and the flag close together
There is every probability that in 1914, Il
not earlier the annexation sentiment II
Cuba will be dominant. Admitted as
territory, with free access for her sugar
and tobacco to our market. Cuba would b'
as prosperous as any country on the gioo'
has ever been. Kept out of the union, ane
her sugar and tobacco subjected to heavl
import duties. Cuba will not be prosper
Gus. Present indications point to the sdop
ton of the latter policy by the Republi
can marty. The demands of protected in
terests for continued protection are IN
creasing in vehemence. The old dream
sta.esmen and patriots that beheld Cub
aa- che Star Snangled Banner foreye
Is likely 10 be summarily dismissed by tn
marty in mower. In that event the Democ
racv. which points with pride to its influ
ence In starting the war for Cuban lib
Grafton. will have a great, a very muc
alive and. we believe, winning issu
within It's reach