Alfred H. Stone Collection
Volume: 23

50. Amos Steckel, “The Natural Right of Self-Government,” Arena (May 1900): 458-63.

Essay against the emergence of the Untied States as a colonial power following the war with Spain. The author argues that self-government is an inalienable right for all peoples of the world, despite their race or religion. “All history and philosophy prove that established governments seek colonial possessions and control more for self-aggrandizement than for the dissemination of light, knowledge, wealth, comfort, or prosperity; and in very few cases are the parent governments willing that their dependencies shall have political self-government—a right to which every people is entitled and which every people desires to enjoy, unless prevented by superior force or the fear of it.”