A Voice Then That Echoes Now: Rev. Charles G. Ames and Anti-Imperialism

Many times, voices of our grandparents and ancestors, have proven to be prophetic. And in order to better understand world events and to prognosticate properly where such events may lead, sometimes it is important to visit the archives of history, to revisit their unique perspectives on the events of their time and how they relate to ours. As anyone may know, "there is nothing new under the sun."

Once such voice was Reverend Charles G. Ames, an anti-imperialist. This speech known as the Address of the Rev. Charles G Ames, was given in  1898. The United States had begun on its collision course of doom when it first amassed an overseas empire as a result of the Spanish American War. The conundrum of whether a nation can be a democracy and an empire pressed on subtly in political discussion. Reverend Ames sought to take a stance and address this seemingly hard question and many other issues. Over a hundred years now and that speech still resembles this present day as the United States continues its ventures abroad, not in hopes of acquiring an empire, but this time to consolidate it and stave of its disintegration. Reverend Ames offered a unique insight and warned of the consequences (emotional, economic, moral) of U.S military adventurism that was masked in a crusade to bring democracy and "protection"...an inherently contradictory campaign considering the circumstance.

These are excerpts from his speech:

"What will be the effect on our domestic policy? How can we undertake to rule subject provinces in distant parts of the globe without trampling on the principles of free government? Once accepting this way of dealing with other people, how long will it be before some occasion will arise for applying it at home? In committing ourselves to permanent military methods of government anywhere, we give up the republic, for we abandon its fundamental principle, even while boasting of the name.......................

"The imperial scheme requires us to go very deeply into military and naval expenditure, that we may be ever on fighting footing. We must girdle the earth with strategic possession everyone of which must be fortified and garrisoned. They will be of little value in peace, since nearly all the world is open to commerce. In war they would be remote and exposed, inviting attack and requiring defence. Points of weakness every one of them! Further, we create the necessity of spending billions on fortification  for our extended coast line, by assembling an attitude of defiance and aggression--toward all the world. Let American mothers take notice: They are to raise boys to kill and be killed. Why do we mince such little matters? We are to be a great military nation! Our industry is to foot the bills. If you object, you are not patriot! But where will be the republic?.................

"All that a wise and virtuous king can do for his dependent subjects, that and better can a wise and virtuous people do for their independent selves; for, by heavenly help, we who are neither wise nor very virtuous have carried our ship of state through a storm that would have foundered the staunchest monarchy on earth. We need never despair of the republic till the people are seduced from its principles; as they surely will be if we are ever drawn into the Old World's military maelstrom. For militarism lives everywhere, as it must live, by sucking and poisoning the blood of liberty.............

"The policy of imperialism threatens to change the temper of our people, and to put us into a permanent attitude of arrogance, testiness and defiance towards other nations. The conditions which compel us to seek alliances are sure to breed antagonisms. If we form alliances for security, we lose our independence; if for plunder, we lose our character................

"If once we enter the field of international conflict as a great military and naval power, we shall be one more bully among bullies: we shall only add one more to the list of oppressors of mankind by compelling other nations to increase their armaments on our account; and none will suffer for the folly so much as our own toiling millions..............

Poor Christian as I am, it grieves and shames me to see a generation instructed by the Prince of Peace proposing to set him on a dunce's stool and to crown him with a fool's cap, while shouting hosannas to the great god Jingo, who seems, on both sides of the water to be modern representative of Mars and Moloch.......

These words echoe throughout American history since. From the Korean War, to the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, To Vietnam, and then Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond. This militarism that Rev. Ames warned of, has seen the rapid decline of living standards in the American society and systemic erosion of the social safety net, an evisceration of civil liberties, and an alienation of the masses, both foreign and domestic. 

The Rev. Ames' of this day and age are seldom heard, listened to, or silenced altogether. As the world becomes increasingly entrenched in conflict, and subsequently destabilization, will we ever reach a point where even if we wanted to turn back and began listening to voices today similar to that of Rev. Ames, it would be too late? It is my hope that that will not be the case.

Notes:

Source: "Address of the Rev. Charles G. Ames," Anti-Imperialism. Speeches at the Meeting in Faneuil Hall, Boston, June 15, 1898 (Boston, 1898), pp. 9-16

Lawrence Laryea is an amateur independent blogger who doesn't know much at all, but tries his best to make sense of the world. Any questions or comments, he can be contacted at Killerteddybear666@gmail.com.