The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899, May 14, 1897, Page 5, Image 5

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    'M
I? 11 10 11 WSlMCRJ A N
Iuiis:ts Nebraska Debate.
Tho third annual debate between the
universities of Kansas and Nebraska oc
eiired at Lawrence, Kas., last Friday
evening. Kansas won. The debate was
listened to by a good sized audience.
Kuoli speaker was listened to attentively,
the audience being an exceedingly re
sponsive one. Chancellor Snow of Kan
Mis University presided.
U. Green of Nebraska opened the
disoussion for the affirmative. He said
mpni-t: To intelligently discuss thid ques
tion wo must umlerstand exactly what we
"Mil when we say it should be the pol
iv of tho United States to extend her
b niiia uios. The interpretation put
"I'oii the question is impo.tant because
judges must refer all our arguments
wk to the basic position which we take
t the beginning of the debate. We ad
voeato simply tho natural opportune ex
liyui waieh Inn oharactemjd our en
,llv history as a nation. Wo believe wo
should -grow by assimilating all that we
'"borate," that wo should "increase
;v nn'rvtion rather than by the addition
1 lS masses of territory held together
jytlioj-ohosion of force." In proposing
ls Po n-y we but follow in the footstep's
J offerson, Madison, Polk, Everett,
; Wanl llml !lU th(J othor
;,sotlA.norican policy of an-
pansion. There is no reason for
astramea construction upon the
taiup, i mo'S can be aeor-
; ) torn our history and the nt-
rint0l,Ppi,bl",ra Why is not
y Proposed by us a desirable
oii.'l.iifJ. " .. l wo tnvn 0 backs on
-histoid r"";;u"7'ncKsoi
NlonJ- ' should not our polit
'" gnHR,n OCCUDV if nnfn...l I,L
tone vac; n V. .ul(l not th Teu
n a H n Py VIIs ton'ito,,y for its
houl, otr,,Ms best itG1,Gsfcs!
"lulRm- It is incumbent upon
our opponents to answer all those ques
tions satisfactorily.
C. M Sharpe of Kansas opened the
debate for tho negative. He started out
at once with his argument and com
pletely ignored tho questions of his op
ponent. He urged that the aim of the
IT. S. should be not to aquire more com
mercial advantages but to dovelop spirit
ual strength among the people. Tho ex
pansive policy meant cupidity and the
fulfillment of tho greed and avarice of
men. Mr. Sharpe spoke fluently but
failed to clearly outline the negative side
of the question. He did not have his ar
gument logically arranged and his speech
was not as convincing as it othorwiso
would have been.
J. D. Dennison followed on the aflirm
ative. The affirmative propose a natu
ral, gradual, and opportune expansion in
accordance with tho economy of events
and the natural law of political gravita
tion. Society is an organism, living,
growing, and expanding, requiring new
territory and new resources to meet its
increasing needs. Its purpose is prog
ress, its law is growth. The history of
the Teutonic Race demonstrates its ea
pacitv to absorb and assimilate weaker
races. History shows it tho dominant
race always pushing outward in propor
tbn to internal development and ex
panding boundaries according to nati
onal needs.
Modern moans of transportation and
intercommunication make our nation co
herent, harmonious, and homogenous.
Throughout our dominions the English
language, common law, freedom of
tho press, religious toleration, and An
glican self government are established.
The Saxon is primarily a governing race
evory zone knows him, every climeclmms
him, every environment receives him
and he conquers them all. Our popula
tion is now essentially Aryan and pre
dominantly Teutonic. Tho federal gov
eminent provides for local particularism
and iusures national unity. It combines
within itself all tho elements necessary
for controling a wide and widening do
main, allowing expansion with social,
commercial and indrustrial growth. Lo
cal autonomy is permitted and national