La Junta tribune., 1904-09-10
NATIONAL EXPANSION
IT HAS SEEN APPROVED BY THE
cOUNTRY's GREAT MEN
Policy Of Adding to the Naties's Ter
ritory Was Advocated By Roth Den.
erats and Repubiicans = What
vsrmsr Prssidsats Said.

The st. Louis convention did not ~
amrm the Kansas City platform In ~
terms. because 1t did not dare to do 90.
but It repeated some Of the worst fsa-
turss Of the platform that was repudiated
BY the people four years ago. Among
these 10 the protest against national sx-
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 20 as far a.
that of four years ago In opposing the
acquisition Of new territory, but It de-
nonuces 1t under a new name. Four
ysars ago 1t was imperialism" now It
In Colonial exploitation" The ST. Louis
platform says:
I'VE oppose as fervently ~ did George
Washington himself an indefinite. IRE
sponsible. discretionary, and vague abb
solutism and a policy OF Colonial exploit
tation. no matter where or By whom In
voked or exercised"
The attempt to conjufe In the name Of
George Washington IL Q characteristic
piece Of Democratic impudence. Wash
ington never wrote or uttered Q word
to justify the foregoing declaration. The
question OF national expansion was not
up In ais 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 sx-
ception the great statesmen of this coun-
try from Jefferson and Washington down
to Mckinley and Roosevelt have spoken
and pntinral Avnanainn
Among the expressions Of disting guishsd
Americans on the subject are the follow
ing:
Washington: There II 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 so is no longer an open one"
Thomas Jefferson: 81 am persuaded
that no constitution was ever before 20
well calculated as ours for extensive en-
pire and self-government."
Stephen A. Douglas: II tell you. In
crease and multiply and expand II the
law Of this nations existence"
Andrew Jackson: II now behold the
bArot eo6aes "heA nuA ~NSs >
and stripes lowering 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
ell and 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 l feel assured. That Congress
will provide for them . government
which will bring them blessings and pro-
mote their material interests a. well as
| advance their people In the path Of civi-
lization and intelligence. / con6dentially
believe"
Theodore Roosevelt: Expansion
means. In the end. not war but peace.
But, like every other great good, II 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 il entertained
only BY those who dfstrust the vitality
of Republican government. or, who. for
personal or party reasons. feel Obliged
| to denounce everything done b. . Re
publican administration.