-alculate its effect upon our own ni: tion. We cannot repudiate the principle of
self-government in the Philippines without weakening that principle here.
LINCOLN SATD THAT THE SAFETY OF THIS NATION WAS NOT IN I18
PL EETS, ITS ARMIES, ITS FORTS, BUT IN THE SPIRIT WHICH PRIZES LIBERTY
THE HERITAGE OF ALL MEN, IN ALL LANDS, EVERYWHERE, AND HE
~ "ARNED HIS COUNTRYMEN THAT THEY COULD NOT DESTROY THIS SPIRIT
WITHOUT PLANTING THE SEEDS OF DESPOTISM AT THEIR OWN DOORS
SYMPATHY WITH BOERS.
Even now we are beginning to see the paralyzing influence oi imper
ialism. Heretofore this nation has been prompt tO €Xpress Its Syn pathy wit]
those who were fighting for civil liberty. While our sphere of activity has hin
limited to the Western hemisphere, our sympathies have not been bounded
bv the seas. We have felt it due to ourselves and to the “world, as well as 10
those who were struggling for the right to govern themselves, tO prociaim tic
interest which our people have, from the date of their own independence, elt
in every contest between human rights and arbitrary power. T'hree-quarters
of a century ago, when our nation was small, the struggles ot Greece aroused
our people, and Webster and Clay gave eloquent expression to the universal de-
sire for Grecian independence.
IN 1826 ALL PARTIES MANIFESTED A LIVELY INTEREST IN THE SUCCESS
OF THE CUBANS, BUT NOW WHEN A WAR If IN PROGRESS IN SOUTH AFRICA
WHICH MUST RESULT IN THE EXTENSION OF THE MONARCHICAL IDEA OR
IN HE TRIUMPH OF A REPUBLIC, THE WOCATES OF IMPERIALISM IN
THIS COUNTRY DARE NOT SAY A WORD IN BEHALF OF THE BOERS.
Sympathy for the Boers does not arise from any unfriendliness t: ward
england ; the American people are not unfriendly toward the people . of anv na-
tion. This svmpathy is due to the fact that, as stated in our platiorm, we be-
lieve in the principle of self-government and reject, as did our forefathers, the
claims of monarchy. If this nation surrenders its belief in the universal ap-
plication of the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence, it will
lose the prestige and influence which it has enjoy ed among the nations of the
world as an exponent of popular government.
Our opponents, conscious of the weakness of their cause, seek to confuse
imperialism with expansion, and have even dared to claim Jefferson as a sup-
porter of their policy. Jefferson spoke so freely and used language with such
precision that no one can be ignorant of his views. On one occasion he de-
clared: “If there * be one principle more deeply rooted than any other in the
mind of every Ameri can it 1s that we should have nothing to do with conquest.”
And again, he said : “Conquest is not in our principles; it is inconsistent with
our government.”
THE FORCIBLE ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY TO BE GOVERNED BY A R-
BITRARY POWER DIFFERS AS MUCH FROM THE ACQUISITION OF TERRI-
TORY TO RE BUILT UP INTO STATES AR A MONARCHY DIFFERS FROM &
DEMOCRACY. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DOES NOT OPPOSE EXPANSIO
WHEN EXPANSION ENLARGES THE AREA OF THE REPUBLIC AND INCOR] "ry
ATES LAND WHICH CAN BE SETTLED BY A IERTCAN CITIZENS, OR ADDS TO
OUR POPULATION PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO BECOME CITIZENS AND
ARE CAPABLE OF DISCHARGING THEIR DU TIES AS SUCH.
The acquisition of the Louisiana territory, Florida, Texas and other
tracts which have been secured from time to time enlarged the republic, and
the Constitution followed the flag into its new territory.
HOW EXPANSION HAS FAILED.
It 1s now proposed to seize upon distant territory already more densely
populated than our own country, and to force upon the people a government