The river press., 1904-09-28
NATIONAL EXPANSION
IT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE
COUNTRY'S GREAT MEN.
Policy of Adding to the Natfon's Ter
ritory. Was Advocated by Both DEM
,orats and Republicans What
Forn nier Presidents said.

! -
The St. Louis convention did not re-
affirm the Kansas City platform in set
terms, because it did not dare to do so,
but it repeated some of the worst fea
lures of the platform that was repudiated
| by the people four years ago. Among
| these is the protest against national ex-
pansion. The Kansas City platform de-
| c1aredA "ilnperialism' 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 go as far as
| that of four years ago in opposing the
acquisition of new territory, but it de-
nonlccs it under a new name. Four
years ago it was "mperialism;" now it
| is Colonial exploitation" The St Louis
platform says:
1--WE oppose as fervcntly as did George
! Washington himself an indefinite, irre
| slhonSible. discretionary, and vague all
| soiutiSm and policy of Colonial eXploi-
tation, no matter where or by whom i'll
voked or exerci isc1.'
The attempt to coniure in the name OF
George Washington is characteristic
piece Of Democratic impudcnce. Wash
| ington never wrote or uttered word
to justify the foregoing declaration. The
question of national expansion was not
flp i'll his day, but he was firm believer
III the policy Of claiming all the rights
and functions Of sovereignty for the Uni
ed States.
| History shows that almost without OK
| r"ltloh 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 Of distinguished
Americans on the subject are the follow
ing:
| Washington: ''rhcrc is rank due
to the United States among the nations
of the world. which will be withheld if
not absolutely lost by the reputation for
Weakness
| Lincoln: Having practiccd the ac-
QUESTION OF territory for nearly sixty
years. the question of constitutional pow
sr to do SO is no longer an open one.'
| Thomas jefferson: II am persuaded
that no constitution was ever before so
we'll calculated as ours for extensive en-
pire and self-government."
Stephen A. Douglas: II tell you, in
crease and multiply and expand is the
law OF this nations existence"
| Andrew jackson: Il now behold the
great American eagle. with her stars
and stripes lowering over the Lone Star
of Texas, and with cheering note well
coming it into our Union"
General Grant: Il do not share in the
apprehension held by many as to the
danger of governments becoming weaken
ed and destroyed by reason Of their ex-
tension of territory"
| William Mckinley: THAT the Philip
! pine Islands will he retained under the
benign sovereignty of the United States,
do not permit myself to doubt. That
| they will prove Il rich and invaluable
heritage feel assured. That Congress
will provide for them government
which will bring them blessings and pro-
mote their material interests as well as
advance their people in the path of civil
lization and intelligence, l confidentially
believe
Theodore Roosevelt: Expansion
! means. III the end. not war but peace
Bilt. like every other great good. it can
ordinarily he achieved only by great eff
! fort. Woe to us If we shrink from
such cffort.''
! These expressions from representative
Americans might be multiplied indefinite
ly. The opposite view is entertained
only ly those who dis:rust the vitality
Of Republican government, or. who. for
personal or party reasons, feel obliged
I" !rnoHnce everything done by a Re-
| publican administration.