The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-14

have been engaged in diplomatic nego-
tiations for the open door in China
for reciprocity treaties with Cuba; for
the adjustment Of the debts OF Amer
lean republics. We have been engag-
ed in instructing American republics
in the decencies of international life
We have been engaged In laW-mak-
ing for the Philippines and for Porto
Rico and for Panama.
Whilst we have been conquering
other countries, monopoly has con-
quered our own. We have time TO set
tie the railroad question In the Philip
pines; we have not the time to adjust
the railroad question in the United
States. We have the time to give q
moderate tariff to the Philippines; We
have not time to correct an excessive
tariff in the United States. We can
expend vast sums in Cuba, in the Phil
ippines, in Panama, in colonial exploit
tation and in naval expansion, but we
have no money for the internal de-
velOpment of the republic. Our har-
bors and our waterways are neglect
ed. Our reform legisltion rests In COM
mittees, and as a result either of favor
itism or Of neglect in legislation, the
greatest plutocracy in the history of
the world has been created, whilst we
have kept our eyes strained towards
the horizon of imperial and interna>
tional grandeur.
"Will the many-sided Theodore
Roosevelt devote himself during the
next four years to the Democratic pol
icy OF domestic reform indicated by
his message, or will be continue to en-
gage in activities external to our coun-
try, which viii absorb it's attention and
postpone domestic reform. If the for
mer, Democracy will be triumphant
before his administration ends. III, on
the other hand, he continues to dazzle
our people with startling exhibitions
of international pyFOteclmics, Dlutocra-
cy will be as firmly entrenched at the
end OF his administration as Ii was at
the beginning, and some other Demo-
crat--a Democrat who is not an inl-
perialist abroad, but who is a Demo-
crot abroad IS well as at home, viii be
called upon to lead the destlnies or the
country. The country demands De-
mocracy-whether under Republicans
or Democratic administration. De-
mocracy is triumphant now If Roose-
Welt stands by Democratic faith. III
not, four years hence Democracy will
grid its loins for another struggle
against plutocracy which is strength
ening in wealth and power every day
and every hour. And its standard
bearer will be the men who for years
has been pre-eminent for steadfaSt-
defeat, for faith i'm the ultimate wis
dom and power OF the people; the man
who has been undertaking, consistent,
courageous; the man whose integrity
nobody doubts and in whose sincerity
everybody believes. The question win
then be the development of the re-
public at home The agency TO be en-
ployed will be a constructive Democ-
racy, and the leader of this Democracy
viii be tie man who has stood true TO
Its principles midst all the glamour
and Illusions OF imperial admlnistr9l-
tion."/
Judge Augustus Van Wyck.
Judge Van Wyck responded to the
toast, The Spirit of Jefferson Still
Lives touching upon Corruption In
Politics and Legislation, the Monroe
Doctrine, Jinogism, Spirit OF Jeffer-
sons Times, the Loss OF Liberties.
Under the last head he said:
There are many recorded instances
where a people have been misled by
overconfdence. When busy they too
readily accept any excuse for many OF
the acts of public officials without CIV
ing it q thought. For illustration: 1t
has been charged that Washington
stimulated the revolution causing Pan
anna to secede from Il Columbia, but
they say that Columbia was delaying
asphalt fame, promoted revolution in
Venezuela, but forsooth, they assert
that it was interfering with the Bar
Der asphalt CONCESSIONS; that the
Washington-chief takes possession
without the consent OF the Senate OF
Santo Domingo custom houses pro-
viding that the collections shall be de-
posted in our National City Bank, but
it is asserted that the Monroe Doc
trine is wiped out unless Washington
assumes the responsibility OF all the
obligations of these smaller American.
republics; Washington chief seeks the
right to make treaties with foreign
nations without the constitutional con-
sent OF the Senate, but 1t Is asserted
that this will make 1t much easier for
him to make alliances with foreign
governments. Washington wants
larger navy, and that at once, and the
excuse for this is that Japan may seize
the Philippines, and so this list could
be continued.
Burke declared that no people ever
voluntarily and knowingly surrendered
their liberties or rights, but by gradual
and stealthy stages, little at time, 1t
was taken from them until finally they
awakened to the appreciation that
they were gone.