President. I had hoped that the controversy with regard to the acquisition of new territory. that the contest over changing the policy of this country as it has existed for a century. that the question whether we ought to adopt an imperial policy and acquire distant colonies to be ruled by us against their consent. would. in view of existing circumstances. have been delayed until this war was over. until the whole question could be considered. until the American people could have thought upon the subject. until we could have decided upon a policy as to whether we would revolutionize the purposes of this Government. and that next winter we would take up this question. when we would have time to deliberately act upon the proposition to formulate a colonial policy. No one for one moment pretends that we intend to admit the Asiatic people of Hawaii or of the Philippines into full citizenship under the Government of this country. but. instead of that. propelled by an interest which has gathered around this Capitol for the past several months or years. an interest in the production of sugar by Hawaiian labor. certain gentlemen. having less of patriotism than I hoped they might possess. bring this question here now and undertake to force it through Congress as a war measure. I contend that the area of this country is great enough. if we would maintain free institutions under a republican form of government. . For in a republic. founded upon the principles of equality and universal suffrage. it is essential that the individual voter shall have a knowledge of. and be familiar with. the methods of government. and if the country is so vast and the problems of government are so complicated that it is impossible for the voter to have or acquire this familiar knowledge. how is it possible for him to act intelligently?