Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-02-27

nation and marks an epoch OF vital Importance to
the American people, says the Louisville Courier
Journel.
In 1898 the word was used to designate
national attitude toward the rest of the world. 1t
grew out of the expansion as result Of
with Spain. Political leaders lined up as fmperia-
! 1sts' and "anti imperalists." The former cham.
! pioDed our absorption OF the Philippine islands,
PoItoRico, Hawaii and any other territory which
could lay hands With legitimate pretext. They
opposed the yielding up of the Philippines partc-
ularly, and advocated the coercion Of the natives
into the acceptance OF our sovereignty and ordi-
ence to our will. The latter school Of politicians
and thinkers took, Of course, the opposite view,
and we're averse to program of expansion and con-
quest, fought any idea that involved the forcible
subjugation OF aliens and argued against any de-
parture from the old habits. They believed. above
IaIl things, that the Philippine islands should be
given up, as national possession.
Today the word is used to designate the presi-
Dental attitude toward the states Of the Union.
From word relating to the nations policy toward
the globe at large it has to relate to one mans
i policy toward the nation. From q term OF inter-
national range, il has changed to one Of domestic
relevancy.
Theodore Roosevelt's course as president has
brought the word into common usage in it's latter
sense By action alter action he has shown his dis.
position and will to get lid Of the notion that the
president Of the United States is the servant Of the
people, and to substitute the view that he is their
mp the banner Of autocracy; to batter down the
state lines and overthrow the states rights and
make the federal government, acting through the
president supreme. He has made treaties without
the consent Of the senate he has made pension laws
without the machinery Of congressional enactment;
he has invented Constructive recessesv to dodge
constitutional restrictions he has declared for
national control Of local school systems by means Of
treaties with foreign countries. He has shown as
in republic what it is to be governed BY the
whine, the favoritlsm and the temper Of one man.
man Of great ability, he has succeeded ia teach
ing us something new under the American sum
His program Of Imperialism has been further ex
pounded and defended by his orators, especially by
his secretary Of state, who few weeks ago came
out bunty for the diversion Of the original purposes
and provisions OF the constitution and the aggrand
izement Of the presidency and the national govern
ment by judicial constructionl
Thus we observe how very different il the I'm
periasm Of 1906 from that Of 1898. It is the i'm
perialism Of today that Is the vital, pressing and
grave issue. The Imperialism exempfed Id the
course and theories 81 Theodore Roosevelt is the
menace which now confront che American people
and which they must promptFcombat. Those who
harp on the imperialism Of 1898 are wasting their
energies on dead--at least, remote and sIeeping
issue. IA the wOrds 81 philosopher II that al.
cient period, ssWe've done expanded.n The Roosa
welt tendency should be checked before wwesvs
done been sewed up'' ID the bag 81 the autocrat