d the Administration, emphatically stated that the
independence and self-government of Cuba must be secured, and, with
reference to the other islands, declared that "the largest measure of
self-government consistent with their welfare and our duties shall be
secured to them by law." The Democrats asserted that "no nation can
long endure half republic and half empire," and favored "an immediate
declaration of the Nation's purpose to give the Filipinos, first, a
stable form of government; second, independence; and third, protection
from outside interference such as has been given for nearly a century
to the republics of Central and South America." The Democrats were at a
disadvantage owing to the fact that, since so much had been irrevocably
accomplished, they could not raise the whole issue of colonial expansion
but only advocate a different policy for the handling of what seemed to
most people to be details. The distrust which their financial program
of 1896 had excited, moreover, still hung over them and repelled
many voters who might have supported them on questions of foreign and
colonial policies. Nevertheless the reflection of President McKinley
by a greatly increased majority must be taken as indicating that the
American people generally approved of his policies and accepted the
momentous changes which had been brought about by the successful
conclusion of the war with Spain.

CHAPTER XIII. A Peace Which Meant War

In a large way, ever since the Spanish War, the United States has been
adjusting its policy to the world conditions of which that struggle
first made the people aware. The period between 1898 and 1917 will
doubtless be regarded by the historian a hundred years from now as
a time of transition similar to that between 1815 and 1829. In that
earlier period John Marshall and John Quincy Adams did much by their
wisdom and judgment to preserve what was of value in the old regime for
use in the new. In the later period John Hay performed, though far less
completely, a somewhat similar function.

John Hay had an acquaintance with the best traditions of American
statesmanship which falls to the lot of few men. He was private
secretary to Lincoln during the Civil War, he had as his most intimate
friend in later life Henry Adams, the historian, who lived immersed in
the memories and traditions of a family which has taken a distinguished
part in the Government of the United States from its beginning.
Possess