The document is a campaign speech from 1898 by Albert Beveridge arguing in favor of US imperialism in the Philippines. Beveridge believes it is America's destiny given by God to expand its territory and influence. He argues the Philippines would benefit from US rule by establishing order, equity and a liberal government protected by the US.
The document is a campaign speech from 1898 by Albert Beveridge arguing in favor of US imperialism in the Philippines. Beveridge believes it is America's destiny given by God to expand its territory and influence. He argues the Philippines would benefit from US rule by establishing order, equity and a liberal government protected by the US.
The document is a campaign speech from 1898 by Albert Beveridge arguing in favor of US imperialism in the Philippines. Beveridge believes it is America's destiny given by God to expand its territory and influence. He argues the Philippines would benefit from US rule by establishing order, equity and a liberal government protected by the US.
The document is a campaign speech from 1898 by Albert Beveridge arguing in favor of US imperialism in the Philippines. Beveridge believes it is America's destiny given by God to expand its territory and influence. He argues the Philippines would benefit from US rule by establishing order, equity and a liberal government protected by the US.
10 While running for the Senate in 1898, Indiana’s Albert Beveridge gave a cam- paign speech in which he explained why the United States should keep the Section 2 Philippines. As you read this excerpt, consider his arguments in favor of U.S. imperialism.
I t is a noble land that God has given us; a land
that can feed and clothe the world; a land whose coastlines would enclose half the countries of won for their country. For William McKinley is continuing the policy that Jefferson began, Monroe continued, Seward advanced, Grant promoted, Europe; a land set like a sentinel between the two Harrison championed, and the growth of the imperial oceans of the globe, a greater England republic has demanded. with a nobler destiny. It is a mighty people that He Hawaii is ours; Puerto Rico is to be ours; at the has planted on this soil; a people sprung from the prayer of the people, Cuba will finally be ours; in most masterful blood of history; a people perpetu- the islands of the East, even to the gates of Asia, ally revitalized by the virile, man-producing work- coaling stations are to be ours; at the very least the ing folk of all the earth; a people imperial by virtue flag of a liberal government is to float over the of their power, by right of their institutions, by Philippines, and I pray God it may be the banner authority of their heaven-directed purposes—the that Taylor unfurled in Texas and Frémont carried propagandists and not the misers of liberty. to the coast—the stars and stripes of glory. It is a glorious history our God has bestowed The march of the flag! . . . upon His chosen people; a history whose keynote Think of the thousands of Americans who will was struck by the Liberty Bell; a history heroic with pour into Hawaii and Puerto Rico when the repub- faith in our mission and our future; a history of lic’s laws cover those islands with justice and safety! statesmen who flung the boundaries of the republic Think of the tens of thousands of Americans who out into unexplored lands and savage wildernesses; will invade mine and field and forest in the a history of soldiers who carried the flag across the Philippines when a liberal government, protected blazing deserts and through the ranks of hostile and controlled by this republic, if not the govern- mountains, even to the gates of sunset; a history of ment of the republic itself, shall establish order and a multiplying people who overran a continent in equity there! Think of the hundreds of thousands half a century; a history of prophets who saw the of Americans who will build a soap-and-water, com- consequences of evils inherited from the past and mon-school civilization of energy and industry in of martyrs who died to save us from them; a history Cuba when a government of law replaced the dou- divinely logical, in the process of whose tremen- ble reign of anarchy and tyranny. Think of the pros-
dous reasoning we find ourselves today. perous millions that empress of islands will support Therefore, in this campaign, the question is larg- when, obedient to the law of political gravitation, er than a party question. It is an American question. her people ask for the highest honor liberty can It is a world question. Shall the American people bestow, the sacred Order of the Stars and Stripes, continue in their restless march toward the commer- the citizenship of the Great Republic! cial supremacy of the world? Shall free institutions from Thomas B. Reed, ed., Modern Eloquence, Vol. XI broaden their blessed reign as the children of liberty (Philadelphia, 1903), 224–243. wax in strength, until the empire of our principles is established over the hearts of all mankind? . . . God bless the soldiers of 1898, children of the Discussion Questions heroes of 1861, descendants of the heroes of 1776! 1. Whose hand does Beveridge see in America’s In the halls of history they will stand side by side destiny? with those elder sons of glory, and the opposition to 2. According to Beveridge, what would Hawaii, the government at Washington shall not deny them. Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Cuba gain No! They shall not be robbed of the honor due from their association with the United States? them, nor shall the republic be robbed of what they 3. What arguments does Beveridge give for the expansion of the American empire?
Sketches in the History of the Underground Railroad: Comprising Many Thrilling Incidents of the Escape of Fugitives from Slavery, and the Perils of Those who Aided Them
