Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1902-01-10
TRUE IMPERIALISM.
BELIEVER IN THE DOCTRINE Ex-
PLAINS IT HONESTLY.
The Commoner Shows What the Idea
Really Amounts To, Taking scuddsy
Richardson's Words as u Text-Means
ApOstacy.

Imperialism would be more easily
overthrow II all Of its advocates
would express themselves with the
honest frankness that characterizes an
article which recently appeared in
Texas paper. Mr.. Scudday Richardson
describes himself as one whose people
are Democrats, but it is evident from
his article that he has wandered away
from his early training. The following
extract from his article Is reproduced
that the readers of the Commoner may
see the imperialistic idea as it really
is when its possessors have the courage
to make their innermost thoughts
known:
"A student who has communed deep
ly with the muse of history and been
enlightened as to the constant muta-
tions of human institutions, particu-
larly those of a political nature, may
readily observe, from a contemplation
of all the nations of the present day,
decided movement away from the
ideals which have pervaded the world
more or less since the days OF the
French revolution. The dream that a
number of men may govern is passing
away; gradually it Is becoming appar-
ent, even to the people at large, that 1t
is a contradiction to suppose that gov
eminent means anything but somebody
in control and little by little the illu-
sionary idea of the consent of the gov
erned is dying from the earth. Not
long while ago this was tested in the
United States. Our new imperialistic
policy was overwhelmingly upheld
despite the protestations and affrighted
cries of journals whose editors became
almost hysterical in their warnings.
Edward of England has taken a
dominant attitude. Everyone remem-
bers what was said shortly before
Queen Victoria died-that Edward
would never be allowed to come to the
throne by the English people, because
the people presumably had drunk too
deeply of liberty. AS a matter of fact,
| it is not surprising that the perogative
| of the crown should have decayed un-
| der the sway of a woman. Instead OF
manifesting her power. she was ruled
| by her ministers.
Germany has never been stronger
than under the empire, and while
| good deal of foolish stuff is written
about military rule, yet that rule is
necessary to a nation surrounded by
enemies. In this world. despite the
vaporings of theorists, neither ma
ton, nor an individual, retains any
thing long unless the ability to protect
| is present. 1t is not from any benefi-
cent lenity or moderation that we do
not force our young men to undergo a
military service, nor keep so powerful
an army as the European nations. 1t
is because we do not yet require such
sustems. In time of necessity we force
men into the army just the same as is
done by other nations"
| Imperialism means an abandonment
of our ideas of government; it means
apostacy from the doctrines that have
controlled the nation in the past. Mr.
Richardson is in error in pointing to
the last election as an evidence that
our people are overwhelmingly impe-
rialistic. The fact is that the Repub-
Icans denied their imperialistic ten
denotes until after the campaign was
over, and ever since the election con-
gress has refused to declare itself in
favor of Imperialism. What it has
done can only be construed as impe-
rialism, but it is difficult to persuade
Republicans that their party really
means anything antagonistic to our
ideas of government. 1t is only ques-
ton of time when the real intent of the
/ Republican leaders will be made
known. Then and not until then will
the people sit in judgment upon that
issue. In the meantime there is an
occasional Republican who admits his
conversion to the European ideas Of
government. When one departs from
government by the consent of the gov
erned he must advocate government
based upon force, for all forms of gov
eminent except free government derive
their authority from superior force.
Imperialism is the polite term used
to describe wholesale killing and grand
larceny. The people who advocate it
would not think of applying it's princi-
;oles to everyday life. They think, if
they stop to think at all, that theft is
purged of it's immoral character If
islands instead of pocket-books are
taken, and they see less criminality in
the killing of thousands of people who
desire self-government than they do in
n single homicide. Strange that any
human mind can be deluded into coun
tenancing Imperialism; strange that
any. human heart can consider without
horror the results of imperialism and
the means employed.-The Commoner
REGULATE THE CONSPIRACIES.
| Tho Renuhlican nlatfOrm Of 1900 rp-