Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 October 1899 — IMPERIALISM. [ARTICLE]

IMPERIALISM.

Editor. Those republicans who stand by Hanna ana are controlled by this boss are making every effort to suppress the publication of the fact in the press that almost every German in this broad land wifi vote against the republican ticket on account of the miserable imperialistic policy of the' present Administration. Lying subterfuges are being promulgated in the hope that before the election the Germans can be brought back into line. Bat this hope is based on a foundation of sand, and will collapse in a wreck. The German in this country does not want imperialism. Imperialism and militarism are

synonymous. The majority of Germans fled to this country to avoid militarism in the fatherland. The greatest enrse of Europe to-day is militarism, and that whole continent is but a vast military camp, in which the youth, strength, energy and cream of the nation lies buried pntal after many years, freedom from the military yoke follows. The first thing by which the hopeful youth in that country is confronted is a one to three year military service, to which he is forced. Just at the time when he ought to lay the foundation of his future career he is torn from his parents and teachers and forced into this military service, and that, too, in those years of his when his intelligence is at its period of development, The result of this is that men who would be best able to attend to the business affairs of their country must wait until their military service is completed, and are meanwhile threatened with the danger that their chances in life will be spoiled. Imperialism and militarism have impoverished European countries. Their armies must be sustained by the sweat and toil of the elders, even of the mothers, and already in this country the people begin to groan under the unnecessary burden of the present standing army. According to the estimate of conservative men the imperial policy of the present administration is now costing $750,000 per day, or annually $270,000,000, already, and for every man, woman or child in this great republic $4 per year. While European nations are making efforts to shake of this burden of imperialism and militarism, an attempt is being made in this land of the free to saddle us with it, and in this McKinley and Hanna are the prime movers. Imperialism means war, conquest, spoil, suppression of other nations snd peoples. It is the teaching that might is right. For these reasons the Germans of this country are against imperialism, and in this matter they will not be hoodwinked. The Germans cannot conceive why this country should attempt to acquire by force islands that are distant from its coast by 8,000 to 10,000 miles, when thousands of acres within our own country are lying barren and only need cultivation. The country can raise upon its own soil enough produce to sustain a nation of 300,000,000 with ease. Why, then, should we want the Philippines, peopled with a race that could never assimilate with our own under our constitution?

Our war with Spain was just and on behalf of humanity, -right* eous, but when it became a war of conquest and oppression instituted by the administration without warrant, it became unjust, and diametrically opposed to the Monroe doctrine, and against the wise direction of such men as Washington, Jefferson, Adams and other patriots who loved their country above all.

. Our country has no citizens more loyal or better than the Germans, who, by their oath of allegiance, swore loyalty to the flag. Gladly they sacrificed their lives for the preservation of the Union, and they are always ready to turn their guns against any country that would seek to attack the land of their adoption. But as resolutely will they oppose any policy whose aim it is to circumnavigate the globe to seek war in order that foreign islands and foreign nations may be suppressed and subjugated, as is now being done in the Philippines. At the bailot box they will file their protest and declare that this condition of affairs must cease at once.—Greenville (Ohio) Deutsche Umscbau,