Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-03-21
CHANGE IN OPINION.
SENTIMENTS OF "THE0D0RE" AND
OF president" ROOSEVELT.
;0mlcial Position Has Made Considerable
Difference In His Ideas Regarding
Coioni-s-Protssts Of Chicago Chron-
ieie Sound Unsssmly.

Theodore Roosevelt, now President
of the United States, once issued a
book entitled, American Ideas and
Other Essays" In this book Mr.
Roosevelt had considerable to say
concerning colonies. Mr.. Roosevelt's
books may be obtained at any book
sellers counters to-day. II any one
is interested to obtain the opinion OF
Mr.. Roosevelt, the citizen. let him read
the book referred to and he will find
therein the following:
"At best, the inhabitants of colony
are in cramped and unnatural state.
At the worst, the establishment of a
colony prevents any healthy popular
growth. Some time in the dim future
it may be that all the English-speakins
peoples will be able to unite In some
kind of confederacy. However desira :
BILE this would be, 1t is. under existing
circumstances, only dream. At pres
ent, the only hope for colony that
wishes to attain full moral and mental
growth, is to become an independent
state. No English colony now stands
on footing of genuine equality with
the parent state. AS long as the
Canadian remains a colonist, he re-
mains in position which is distinctly
inferior to that of his cousins, both in
England and in the United States. The
Englishman looks down on the Canadi-
an, as he does on anyone who admits
his inferiority, and quite properly, too.
Under the best Of circumstances, there
fore, q colony is in false position,
but IL the colony is in region where
the colonizing race has to do its work
by means of other inferior races, the
condition is much worse. From the
standpoint of the race little or nothing
has been gained by the English con-
quest and colonization of Jamaica.
Jamaica has been merely turned into
a negro island with future. seeming
1y, much like that of San Domingo.
and British Guiana, however well ad-
ministered, Is nothing but colony
where few hundred or few thou
sand white men hold the superior po-
siuons, while the bulk of the popula-
ton is composed Of Indians, Negroes
and Asiatics. Looked at through the
vista of centuries, such colony con-
tains less promise of true growth than
does state like Venezuela or Ecuador.
The history of most OF the South
American republics is both mean and
bloody; but there is at least chance
that they may develop, after INFINITE
and sufferings. into civil
lization quite as high and stable as
that of such a European power as
Portugal. But there is no chance for
any tropical American colony owned
by northern European race"
What has happened to change Mr..
opinion? The policy OF
the administration contemplaues keep
ing the Inhabitants of the Philippines
in an unnatural state" According to
the policy of the administration, the
colony must continue in
Its present position until the time
when the Republican leaders shall
conclude that it has obtained the
moral and mental growth" essential
to self-government.
But how different this is from the
position which Mr. Roosevelt. the au-
thor, took! Mr.. Roosevelt, the author,
said "the only hope for a colony that
wishes to obtain full moral and men,
tai growth is to become an independ
pnt state or part of an independent
state"
According to Mr.. Roosevelt the au-
thor, the Philippine colony lis in
false position" Mr.. Roosevelt, the
author, knew that in order to become
,apable of self-government, men must
Undergo practical experience. He knew
although a nation asserting SOW
sreignty over a colony might postpone
he governmental period, me people of
he colony must sooner or later sur
mount the obstacles necessary to the
of republic.
The statement made by Mr.. Roose-
ielt the author, concerning colonies,
appeals to the intelligence of men.
he position of Mr.. Roosevelt. the
President, does not commend itself to
he student of history.
If Mr.. Roosevelt, the author. was
if the position of President
is the correct one, then Mr..
Roosevelt, the president, owes it TO
lis countrymen to answer the argu-
nents of Mr.. Roosevelt, the author