CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1904-09-08


The 81. Louis ecoveutioa did not ~
aarm the Kansas City platform In set
tarms. because Il did not dare TO do %.
bot Il repeated some Of the worst fea-
tnreG Of the platform that was repudiated
by the people four years ago. Amsag
thess b the protest against national ex-
pansion. The Kansas City platform de-
ciarsd imperialism" to be the para
mount Issue. meaning thereby the reten-
ton Of the Philippine Islands, which
Providence and the fate Of war brought
into our possession
The Democratic National convention
OF 1904 did not dare to 20 As far a.
that Of four years ago In opposing the
acquisition OF new territory, but 1t de
nonuces 1t under q new name. Four
yean ago 1t was ''impsrialism:" now II
10 Colonial exploitation" The st Louis
platform says:
I'VE oppose as fervently ~ did George
Washingtou himself. an inde6nite. -irne-
sponsibie, discretionary. and vague ab
soIutism and q policy Of Colonial e1ploi-
tation. no matter where or By whom in
voked or exercised"
The attempt to conjure in the name of
George Washington 10 . characteristic
piece Of Democratic impotence. Wash
ington never wrote or uttered . word
to justify the foregoing declaration. The
question OF national expansion was not
up In his day. but he was q arm believer
In the policy Of claiming all the rights
and functions OF sovereignty for the Uni
ted States.
History xhows that almost without ex-
csption the great statesmen of this coun-
try from Jefferson and Washington down
to Mckinley and Roosevelt have spoken
and argued for national expansion.
Among the expressions ok distinguished
Americans on the subject are the follow
ing:
Washington: There IL q rank due
to the United States among the nations
Of the world, which will be withheld II
not absolutely lost by the reputation for
weakness"
Lincoln: Having practiced the &C
quisition Of territory for nearly sixty
years. the question Of constitutional pow
er to do 70 is no longer an open one"
Thomas jefferson: Il am persuaded
that NO constitution was ever before 70
well calculated as ours for extensive en-
pire and self-sovernment-"
stephen A. Douglas: II tell you. in
crease and multiply and expand 10 the
law of this nations existence"
Andrew Jackson: Il now behold the
great American eagle. Win nef Ut4rb
and stripes towering over the Lone Star
OF Texas. and with cheering note vel
coming II into our Union"
General Grant: II do not share In the
apprehension held by many as to the
danger OF governments becoming weaken
ed aud destroyed by reason Of their ex-
tension OF territory"
William Mckinley: That the Philip
pine Islands will be retained under the
benign sovereignty OF the United States.
! do not permit myself to doubt. That
they will prove a rich and invaluable
heritage I feel assured That Congress
will provide for them q government
which will bring them blessings and pro-
mote their material interests as well as
advance their people In the path of civil
iiration and intelligence. l conhdentially
believe"
Theodore Roosevelt: Expansion
means. In the end. not war but peace.
But. like every other great goed. II can
ordinarily be achieved only by great ef-
fort Woe to US II we shrink from
such effort"
These expressions from representative
Americans might be multiplied indefinite
~. The opposite view is entertained
only by those who disfrust the vitality
OF Republican government. or. who. for
personal or party reasons. feel Obliged
TO denounce everything done By . Re
publlcnu administrn tion