Religion, Racism, and Patriotism

In his article “The March of the Flag,” Albert J. Beveridge touts American imperialism and expansion in the Phillipines through religion, racism, and patriotism.

A basis for his belief is his assertion that Caucasian Americans are God’s chosen people (Mathisen, Doc 101). He writes that God “...has marked the American people as His chosen nation to finally lead in the regeneration of the world. This is the divine mission of America” (Merriam). His audacious proclamation is ludicrous in its assumption that one group may claim superiority over others on the basis of religion and is reminiscent of archaic arguments of the past that justified conquest and persecution of entire races as in the Crusades. I do not understand how a person can think their beliefs, values, and religion are superior to that of those they have never met or know little about. Beveridge either forgets or ignores that fact that all cultures develop in their own way, based on a myriad of factors including geographic location and resources, and nearby cultures.

To any rational being, Beveridge’s ideology seems absurd. Yet he does believe it and furthermore he goes on to ask the question, “Has God endowed us with gifts beyond our desserts and marked us as the people of His peculiar favor, merely to rot in our own selfishness…?” He speaks of imperialism as a national and God-given directive for the American people. His speech is peppered with references to religion and implements God’s name numerous times for his audience of faith filled politicians. He makes a clear connection between divine Providence and the popular American concept of Manifest Destiny. It is clear that Beveridge views himself as having a moral duty to propagate America’s religious beliefs to those he deems “less fortunate.”

Intense racism is another theme that dominates Beveridge’s article. He advocates the idea that Anglo-Saxons are superior to other races, and he arrogantly writes of whites as being the ruling race of the world (Mathisen, Doc 101). In the time of severe anti-African American, anti-Chinese, and anti-Native American sentiments, as well as anti-immigration, Anglo-Saxon supremacy was a familiar and widely held idea.
In “Racism in the Expansionist Controversy of 1898-1900,” Allen H. Merriam states Beveridge refers “to the Fillipinos as ‘primitive’ and ‘warlike children’ [and] contrasted them to the Anglo-Saxons, whom he called the ‘proudest, ablest, purest race of history.’” The article further states that Beveridge was considered an expert on the Philippines (Merriam).

This article also plays heavily to American patriotism and the concept of Manifest Destiny--the so-called responsibility of Americans citizens to propagate their culture, liberty, values, and “God’s kingdom on Earth.” Through this characteristically American belief, Beveridge has curtailed America’s entire history into two words – Manifest Destiny. From the time of the Puritans to that of Lewis and Clark, American expansion was a highly popular concept. It paid homage to the country’s brave forefathers, who tamed the once savage nation and made it what is today. Beveridge takes “comfort in the fact that ‘the authors of themselves governed the Indian race without his consent...after the fashion of our governing race’” (Merriam). Beveridge’s article implies that should Americans end their progress of the “march of the flag,” they would disgrace their country and the courageous men--their ancestors--who piloted the march all those years ago.

In conclusion, “The March of the Flag” illustrates the deep connection between religion, patriotism and racism in 19th Century America. Beveridge’s article is rhetorical and highly provocative in its incendiary statements. He invokes the name of God, swells the pride of the Anglo-Saxon race, and calls for a remembrance of history and patriotism. It is no small wonder that the American people were swayed to believe that the annexation of the Philippines was their mission.


Works Cited:
1. Mathesin, Robert, R. Critical Issues in American Religious History: A Reader (2nd
Revised Edition). Baylor University Press, 2006.
2. Merriam, Allen, H. “Racism in the Expansionist Controversy of 1898-1900.” Phylon
(1960-), Vol. 39, No. 4 (4th Qtr., 1978), pp. 369-380.