Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-30
1.-THE REPUBLIC.v
Continued from Page OneD

We have done it in the case of everv
territory that was subsequently adj
mitted to the United States AMI we are
doing it today in the case of New Mex
leo and Arizona. What inherent differ
ence is there between the government
of territory and the government IF
a colony by the Congress of the limited
States and the executive appointed in
accordance with its direction? What in
principle. is the difference between The
Association by Congress of the right
to pass law which shall be obevod
by men in New Mexico, who have no
voice in the selection of representa-
tives or the senators who vote for that
law and the passing by Congress of
such a law for the government of the
Philippines or Porto Rico or Cuba,
when these islands are within our con-
troll? If the latter is violation of the
Declaration of Independence, we have
been violating the Declaration of In
dependence for a hundred years.
THE statements in the Declaration
of Independence are to be construed
in the light of contemporary history.
If we assume control over q people
merely in the spirit of conquest and
merely to extend our control. and
merely from the lust of power. then we
may be properly denounced as i'm
perialists; but if we assume control
over a people for the benefit of that
people, and with the purpose of de-
veloping them to IL self governing ca
pacity, and with the intention of Civ
~, icl1 10
pendent when they shall show them
selves tit, then the charge that we are
imperialists is utterly without founda-
ton.
What has been the result to the
United States of this So-called CO.
lonial policy? Well. it has added to her
trade something over one hundred mil
lions of dollars. do not think that this
is important only as Il beginning. If
the government continues its friendly
policy towards Porto Rico and the
Philippines and opens her markets as
we'll to the Philippines as to Porto
Rico, this trade will treble and quad
ruple in a marvelouSly short time, so
that merely from the standpoint of ma
terial progress, the mutual benefits for
the people we are helping and our
selves will be no mean Justification for
the policy.
Again our action in assuming our
part of the responsibility Of the world
powers and development of the world
has added to our influence the world
round and has made our voice infuen-
tial in all international councils. SO
great has been this growth that the
Immediate successor of William Roose-
welt. Theodore Roosevelt. has been able
to accomplish more in the preservation
of the peace of the world than any
President that ever administered or
any monarch that ever reigned. The
influence that we are elerting in South
America in Central America, in Ell
rope and in China is, much of it, the
result of the policy of expansion adopt
ed under William Mckinley. 1t is said
that this policy has entailed upon MS
the enormous burden of navy. l be-
lieve that it has increased the neces-
sity for a great navy. l believe that
a navy is the greatest insurer of peace
that we could possibly have-a navy
commensurate with our resources, and
commensurate with our coast line, and
commensurate with the number Of de-
Tendencies we have and commensurat e
with our population. and commensur-
ate with our influence as world
power. The expression 'world-power"
has been babe an occasion for ridicn'c
and sneers; but it has real meaning
and a real significance. 1t means an in
fluence throughout the world; and so
long as that influence is welded for
the betterment of mankind, for the up
lifting Of our unfortunate fellow
creatures, for the maintenance of
peace, for the encouragement of trade,
for the promotion of morality and civ
ilization. we may we'll be proud to have
taken any part in the change of our
national policy which made US world
power. The highest claim of William
Mckinley for the gratitude of MS
countrymen is that in spite of the
abuse and contumely that was heapHd
upon his head for this policy, he placed
our country in the forefront of nations
as a civilizer and uplifter of unfortu-
nate people"