Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-05-09
The Destiny of the United states,

over the whole OF this country, barring
a few square miles OF population in cor
tain States OF New England, in favor
of the administration policy of i'm.
perialism, or expansion, or whatever we
may choose to call it, and which is still
unduhting impressively in quarters
that thoughtful observers oanuot ignore
nor belittle, has wrought change in
our national view of Americas destiny
that is astonishing in its oomprehen-
siveness. The spirit of '76 that was
born under the tyranny and oppression
of the Old World and which served to
plant the flag Of freedom and independ-
ence over new nation seems to have
died out, or fallen into innocuous
desuetude, and in its place We have the
lust OF power, the greed Of sordid
commercialisin, and the exploitation OF
Maehiavelianism in government coun.
oils and conduct. But through it all
can be seen the old-time American
honesty, the old time American com
nonsense, and the nevef-failing meri.
can love of fsir play. These are the
qualities that form the silver lining to
a hlaokenod nationaliem, and their in
destructibility will constitute the safe
guard aud the sheet anchor of our
national existence in the gloomy future
that is opening up before us with u
rapidly that is startling We believe
that in due course of time there will
DO a reaction against our mad rush
toward the demolition of the historic
traditions and constitutional rsstric,
tions TINT havo heretofore restrained
US, but we havo reached stage when
1t Is impossible TO retrace our stems or
correct our errors, ald il is doubtful
whether we have not already advanced
too far even to stop. When the i'll.
advised Paris Treaty was signed we
threw down the gauntlet Of territorial
conquest to the older nations and it
will not be surprising II they pick it
up, Such course would be In accord
ance with their time honored custom
and there is no reason why they should
make an exception in our favor, except
through fear, and it is not yet evident
that We are seriously feared.
The opinion recently voiced by the
London Spectator and Saturday Review
that there is imminent danger of com i.
bined action on the part of Europe
against America is the first tangible
sign forced upon our attention since
that fateful May day in Manila Bay OF
what is in store for US. This warning
OF the disoomforting eventualities OF
our war with Spain has been received
by portion Of the American press in a
spirit OF levity not in keeping with the
gravity OF the subject nor our repura-
tinn for the possession OF sagacity and
foresight, and is much to be regretted.
The struggle for existence among
nations IS becoming as acute ard uu.
comfortable as that between individuals
aud ithehooves us to promptly note any
intimations OF concerted action in on.
position to our interests and to care.
fully watch the growth CT hostile senti.
ment from whatever source. At the
present moment such view may an
pear somewhat pessimistic. even alb
surd, but the worlds political condi
lions are rapidly undergoing readjust
ment and strange things are happening,
1t has not been great while ago wher
a large number of journals in uhi.
country were ridiculing the idea thai
this government contemplated thu
forcible annexation of CuEa and til,
Philippines, and it will not BIS a great
while when many newspapers will have
to editorially forget they ever chortIet
over the Spectators spectre Of ar
organized European hostility.
When We took pusse ion of the Phil
ippines we aroused the political, com
mercial and racial luminosity of Euror,
particularly that OF the Latin nations
and it will be avenged, sooner or la,e
by the attempted seizure of large nor
ton, il not the whole, of South A merica
A consideration of the worlds trad,
conditions, realization of the signifi
canoe of its rapidly increasing popula
tion, and thoughtful glance at th,
map inevitably suggests this outcome
from which there can be, in the yer,
nature of things, no escape. To main
tain and protect the political inteerit,
of South America, and incidentall,
ourselves, from the governmental en-
croachment of foreign p,wols has be
come, therefore, the manifest destin,
, of this country. That is the burden ",
have assumed by our departure from
American waters in search of nationa
, Qualification ard pseudo commercial
expansion. And il will he doubl,
heavy one, because the vast contitnep
to the south of us is peorled by an un
, friendly race. The dominant elemer
is Latin, and the recent outburst il
Venezuela is an index OF what we ma,
, expect when the time comes 10 net
i But we are imbued with faith suffi
ciently deep and optimistic to enabl,
, us to be confident that the stupendou
task before us will not be hey ond ou
capacity.
AHumiliating Spectacle.
The commission annointad by ~,