The state herald., 1904-09-09
NATIONAL EXPANSION
IT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THe
COuNTRY'S GREAT MEN.
Policy OF Adding to the Nations Ter
ritorJ Was Advocated by Both Dem
orats and Republicans - what
Former Presideuts Said.

The ST. Louis convention did not re
affirm tho Kansas City platform In set
terms, because II did not dare TO do so
but II 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 eI-
pansion. The Kansas City platform de.
clared imperialism to he 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 ngo In opposing the
acquisition OF new territory, but II de-
nonuces II under a new name. Four
years ago Il was imperialism" now IL
is Colonial exploitation" The st. Louis
platform says:
I'VE oppose as fervcntly ~ did George
Washington himself an indefinite. IRE
sponsibie. Discretionary. and vague alb
solutism and a policy OF Colonial erploi-
tation. no matter where or by whom In
voked or exercised"
The attempt to conjure in the name Of
George Washington IL a characteristic
piece OF Democratic impudence. Wash
inston never wrote or uttered word
TO Justify the Foregoing declaration. The
question OF national expansion was not
up In his day. but he was a firm believer
In the policy of claiming all the rights
and functions OF sovereignty for the uni
ted States.
History shows that almost without er.
cepuon 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 ~ distinguished
Americans on the subject are the follow
ing;
Washington; There Il a rank due
TO the United States among ths nations
OF the world. which will be withheld II
no, absolutely Loaf by the reputation for
weakness"
Lincoln Having prneticed the ne-
auisition Of territory for nearly sixty
years, the question Of constitutional pow
or to do 40 il no longer an open one"
Thomas Jefferson Il am persuaded
that no constitution was ever before 80
well calculated as ours for extensive en-
pire and sell. elf.governmcn,."
Stephen A. Douglas; 81 tell you. In
crease and multiply aud expand Is the
law Of this nations existence"
Andrew Jackson; II now behold the
great American eagle. with her stars
and stripes lowering over the Lone Star
OF T.Iss, and with cheering note well
coming IL Into our Union"
General Grant: Il do not share In tho
apprehension held by many as to the
dang.r nf psuVsFnpasnta hsganlua wsaLsu.
ell and destroyed by reason OF their "a
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 rich and Invaluable
heritage l feel assured That Congress
will provid. for them = government
which will bring them blessings and pro
mote their material Interests as well NJ
advance their peopl, In the path Of civil
llEntion and intelligence, conhdsnually
believe"
Theodore Roosevelt Expansion
means, In the end not war but peace
but. iik. every other great good, Il can
ordinarily b. achieved only ny great .f'
fort Wo. TO us " We shrink from
such effort"
These expressions from representative
Americans might BE- multiplied inishnlis
y. The opposite view ID entertained
only b, tho.. who dls,rust the vitality
Of nopublicah government, OF, who. fot
personal or party reasons, feel obliged
TO ienouncs everything done by lie
publican administration,