The Springfield herald., 1904-09-09
NATIONAL EXPANSION
IT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE
COUNTRY'S GREAT MEN.
Policy Of Adding to the Nation's Ter
ritory Was Advocated By Both Dom-
orats and Republicans - What
Former Prssidents Said.

The St. Louis convention did not re-
affirm the Kansas City platform in set
terms, because 1t did not dare to do so.
but 1t 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-
clared 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 go as far as
that of four years aEo in opposing the
acquisition of new territory, but 1t de-
nonuces 1t under 4 new name. -Four
years ago it was "imperialism;" now 1t
is Colonial exploitation" The st. Louis
platform says: Dbl.
I'VE oppose as fervently as did George
Washington himself an indefinite. ire
sponsible, discretionary, and vague ab-
solutism and a policy Of Colonial exploit
tation, no matter where or by whom In
voked or exercised"
The attempt to conjure in the name Of
George Washington IL q characteristic
piece Of Democratic impudence. Wash
ington never wrote or uttered word
to justify the foregoing declaration. Tho
question of national expansion was not
up in his day. but he was firm believer
in the policy of claiming all the rights
and functions of sovereignty for the Uni
ted States.
History shows that almost without ex-
ception 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 o. distinguished
Americans on the subject are the follow
ing:
Washington: "There is a 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 ac-
suisition of territory for nearly sixty
years, the question of constitutional pow
er to do SO is no longer an open one
Thomas Jefferson: ~ am persuaded
that no constitution was ever before 80
well calculated as ours for extensive en-
pire and lf-government.'
Stephen A. Douglas: Il tell you, In
crease and multiply and 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 Texas, and with cheering note well
coming it into our Union"
General Grant: II do not share In the
apprehension held by many as to the
danger of governments becoming weaker
ell and destroyed by reason of their eS'
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. Tha,
they will prove rich and invaluable
heritage l 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 eonhdentially
believe"
Theodore Roosevelt: Expansion
means, In the end. not war but peace.
But. like every other great good, it can
ordinarily be achieved only by great ef-
fort. Woe to US il we shrink from
such effort"
These expressions from representative
Americans might be multiplied indefinite
ly. The opposite view is entertained
only by those who distrust the vitality
of Republican government, or. who. for
personal or party reasons, feel Obliged
to denounce everything done by 4 Re-
publican administration.