IMPERIALISM AND STRICTURES ON THE PRESS.
By T.
THE course of imperialism, indicated by the grasping of colonial possessions in distant islands, upon which the United States has entered, is by no means the only mark of her internal decay. There were certain well-defined principles placed in the foundation of this government that have given it its stability and marvelous success. But when a government stands upon a foundation that is correct, and when the justice and expediency of its principles have been thoroughly tested and proved to be secure, then for that government to depart from its fundamental doctrines means national suicide. It can not be otherwise. One of the fundamental doctrines of this nation is that all men are created free and equal. But now the government is saying to the poor natives in the Philippines and elsewhere, You can not have your freedom. You can not govern yourselves. You must submit to the United States. And thus the doctrine of freedom that our fathers championed so bravely is laid aside for the old doctrines of tyranny and medieval oppression. And right in keeping with this despotic doctrine of imperialism do we find the most amazingly marvelous growth of the aristocracy of wealth. Not merely millions but billions are cornered by trusts and combines, and this all in the interest of just a few men. Imperialism and an aristocracy are inseparable, and they both are built upon the power that comes by placing a small number of men in charge of the resources of wealth. A third link in this imperialistic chain is the effort that is being made in so many parts of the country to restrict the liberty of the press. A man who is doing right has little to fear from the press, and much to give him hope and courage. The press is the mighty agent of freedom and reform. Tyrants and evil men in general have always feared it, and have sought to restrict its liberties. But the true man, he who wishes to see the right prevail, is ever willing to risk any evils that may possibly grow out of the liberty of the press in order that the good it will do may be accomplished. Only a few months since, New York was threatened with a law that would have abridged the work of the press in that State very materially. But, by the earnest and vigilant efforts of the New York papers, the law was defeated. Much of the same kind of legislation was attempted here in California during the recent sitting of the Legislature; and some of the unrighteous matter has been enacted into law, as noted elsewhere in this paper. Now put these three things together, and if there was nothing else, how strongly does it show the backward and dangerous tendencies of these times! The United States is fighting in the Philippines, not to uphold her principles of freedom, but to enslave men that the Constitution declares to be free. Then we have the rising aristocracy of wealth, and also the efforts that are being made to throttle the press. And yet there are some who do not see the dangers and evils of these times. They seem blind to every evidence that can be presented. Not only this country but all the world is standing on the very brink of the most alarming dangers. Satan is working ruin everywhere he can, and as fast as he can. Personal uprightness and integrity are becoming more and more rare, and with the decay of personal honor the foundation of governments is gone. This earth will soon be a total wreck. It is high time to escape for thy life. If we have our hope fixed in heaven, we are secure. But if not, we are in danger of soon plunging into the everlasting ruin that is now by the brittlest thread hanging over our world. T.