The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-09-28
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 81, 1904.
Democratic Imperialism.

Imperialism has gained new Signtfi-
canoe from Judge Parker's letter of ac-
ceptance In Its wider sense imperialism
is not merely territorial expansion. Were
that all implied by the term Democrats
would be by instinct, creed and tradition,
the greatest imperiallsts In America. 1t
as under Democratic policy and a Demo
i cratic President that the United States
1,iade its first and greatest step in ter
ritorial expansion, by acquiring that vast
BODY OF land embraced in the Louisiana
Purchase, thereby giving the United
States at one stroke the full measure
and status of a world power. Alaska,
Porto Rico and the Philippines are hut
the small dust In the balance when their
effect on our wealth or growth as Il Ia
ton are compared with that first great
expansive movement. 1t is not. then, to
the acquisition of land per Sc that the
Democrats object. Their disapproval goes
to the means by which the land Is taken,
the objects for which 1t was acquired and
the spirit with which 1t is governed.
Herein lies the difference between eSl'an-
sion under Jefferson and imperialism
under Roosevelt. To President JEFF
ferson y and his party new terri
tory meant new fields of endeavor
B you'd shortly become citizens of a State
and component integral OF our Union.
New lands. then, meant growth for
Dcmocracy-new strength for popular
government. new demonstrations of the
peoples right and fitness to guide ard
control their destinies and the oppor-
8tunities so offered for the spreading CT
S5the spirit OF Democracy WIRE gloriously
utilized as testifies The empire of the
Trans Mississippi States to-day.
But under President Roosevelt and his
party, Imperialism means more land and
more inferior people. that our army may
4 have chance to learn warfare; that our
navy may be kept occupied, and that our
President, laying aside constitutional re-
stricuons, may experiment II: his personal
& theories of government by executive or
der, for all of which endeavors the work
ingman pays taxes earned by the sweat
Of his brow. The Times-Dispatch is fully
cognizant OF the ad,Sniages1to be gained
by holding such ifavai bases. and coal
Ing stations In the Philippines AS may be
\ necessary. Nor are We ignorant OF the
Influence which the ownership OF that
archipelago gives US not only in the Eas.,
u but In the world. Nor do we advocate
an immediate withdrawal Of The United
= States from these islands q course which
would first result in local chaos and an
alchy, and later in annexation BY some
"A other power. with no assurance that the
Y Filipinos would enjoy as much freedom
or local self-goyernment as at present.
But we submit that the underlying
/ principles. which have made our past glori-
Judge Parker's theory Of our govern
ment is the true one.
Let us fill our trust 10 the Filipinos as
VIC did 10 the Cubans--and in 80 doing let
us remember always that tho endurance
I OF our institutions and the continuance OF
our power depends far more upon the
& honesty. the unselftshness, the patriotism,
the ideals. Or in a word, the character OF
our people, than uron the army, the
navy. the discriminating tariff anl the
big stick to which President Roosevelt
tows down.
The danger 10 our government Is not
81 more territory, but In more OF Pres',
dent Roosevet's administration, and ,he
voters alone can decide whether I, sha,
be continued
as ;--S-=--r-==--+=-+.==------=--=---