Show I LET T PEOPLE REFLECT z Thq cle ofthe United States I shQuld be deyotnJ much of theIr time between now and the meeting of con gross to a calm and Icareful consideration I considera-tion of the question of what Is termed I a poliql of expansion I Is easy to be caught with the glamour that surrounds sur-rounds such ft question but there is somethIng be1des glamour to be con slcer d There is the stern reality S That the United States could successfully succesS-fully govern colonies there Is no reason In the world to doubt But the cues ton Is whether It Is desirable to have colonies to govern The great thing to I be considered Is the effect of colonial possessions upon this country not what WGuld be the efect upon colonies of thEir government by this country I Is a plain proposition that it cannot be I desirable that this country shall have extensive possessions the people of I which are not fitted for the exercIse of i American citizenship The great mission mis-sion of the United States ha been to advance man politically and morally t prove to the world hIs capacity for selfgovernment and thus far well have they fulfilled that mission But if they shall Incorporate within theIr territorial limits some millions of people peo-ple who arc not to share In the common com-mon poltct life but who are to be exploited though they will bealsed to some extent then the grand mission of the United States fails to a certain extent I Is better for the rlnclDles of democratic government better for cIvilization better for humanity that this government continue to recognize the rIghts of man those rights set forth I the Declaration of Independence and act upon them than hat It should take under its charge millions of men In whom I does not recognize such rIght to do so would be a step backward and not forward There can be no national pride In seeing the fag float over any and where I does not symbolize American Amer-ican political and Industrial Idea they are the great things mere Island possessIons pos-sessIons are nothing The American people are confronted I with a most serIous question and they I should familiarize themselves with every aspect of It and all its bearings If this Is done their ultimate decision will be about right |