The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-09-09
NATIONAL EXPANSION
1T HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE
couNrRY's GREAT MEN.
Policy of Adding to h N.tion's TER
ritory Was Advocated by Both Dem
orsts and Republican, What
Former 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 repudiatcd
by the people four years ago. Among
these is the protest against national eN-
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 wal brought
into our possession.
The Democratic National convention
OF 1901 did not dare to go as far as
that of 0 years ago in opposing the
acquisition of new territory, but it de-
nonuces it under a new name. -Four
years ago it was ''imperialism;'' now it
is Colonial exploitation" The st. Louis
platform says:
We Oppose as ~fervently as did George
Washington himself an indefinite, ire
sponsible, discretionary. and vague alb
solutism and a policy of Colonial exploit
tation, no matter where or by whom in
voked or cxcrcised.''
The attempt to %conjure in the name of
George Washington is a characteristic
piece of Democratic impudence. Wash
lngton never wrote or uttered Il 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 ex-
ception the great statesmen OF this coun-
try from Jefferson and Washington down
to Mckinley and Roosevelt nave spoken
and argued for national expansion.
Among the expressions of distinguished
Americans on the subject are the follow
ing:
Washington: '1'here is a 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 practiced the ac-
QUESTION 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 so
we'll calculated as ours for extensive en-
pire and self-governmcnt."
Stephen y. Douglas: II 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 wei
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 ea-
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 | feel assured. That Congress
will provide for them a government
which will bring them blessings and pro-
mote their material interests as well as
advance their people in the path of civil
l~ization and intelligence, l confdentially
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 eff
fort. Woe TO us if 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 a Re
publican administration.