Albert J Beveridge

Shall free institutions broaden their blessed reign as the children of liberty wax in strength, until the empire of our principles is established over the hearts of all mankind? Have we no mission to perform? No duty to discharge to our fellow man?

[We] must deal from this day on with nations greedy of every market we are to invade; nations with statesmen trained in craft, nations with ships and guns and money and men...the world still rubs its eyes from its awakening to the resistless power and sure destiny of this republic.

Would not the people of the Philippines prefer the just, humane, civilizing government of this republic to the savage, bloody rule of pillage and extortion from which we have rescued them?

Will you affirm by your vote that you are an infidel to American vigor and power and practical sense? Or, that we are the ruling race of the world...

...for technological development is conspiring with us; steam joins us, electricity joins us; the very elements are in league with our destiny.

Cuba not contiguous? Hawaii and the Philippines not contiguous? Our navy will make them contiguous.

Think of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who will build a soap-and-water, common school civilization of energy and industry in Cuba, when a government of law replaces the double reign of anarchy and tyranny.

It means active, vigorous, constructive investment of every dollar of moldy and miserly capital in the land.

...guarded by the guns of the republic. And as their thunders salute the flag, benighted people will know that the voice of liberty is speaking...