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Andrew Carnegie

//Occupation:// I, Andrew Carnegie, have been given the title of the "richest man in the world," and while I am grateful for such a prestigious honor, I must be humble and kindly dissuade the notion. Born in Scotland, I experienced poverty firsthand. My mother knew that raising a child in such conditions would not expose myself to a wonderful life, so she took it upon herself to raise enough money to afford a voyage to America. Upon arriving, my father quickly gained a position at a cotton factory while I worked nearby running messages to various houses throughout the city. I ran into a man by the name of Thomas A. Scott, who hired me as his personal secretary for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. At the end of the Civil War I resigned from my position at the company but continued to work competitively and dedicatedly in the industrial business, earning a large profit, and finally finding my 'niche' in the steel industry, as well as founding and opening hundreds of public libraries and furthering education institutions across the nation.

//Position on Issue:// As an anti-imperialist, I am fully against the annexation of the Philippine islands. I believe it is the right of the Filipinos to earn their independence, not for us as a foreign country to take that away. Presenting ourselves in the Philippines would only stir war amongst Americans and Filipinos. The purpose of our Republic was to keep ourselves united and as a whole; annexing other lands continuing to take control of land that is not rightfully ours to take will only tear apart this unity. America is already as great as it can be. We are the leader in many economic standpoints, and have reached a population about the size of Europe. Continuing to fight for something that is not ours (and for someone who does not want our help) is illogical and unnecessary. I myself will gladly donate the twenty million dollars demanded by the Spanish treaty if the matters escalade to such a level. Therefore, the Philippines should be left uninterrupted by America to stand on its own and do as it wants- to earn their freedom as a unit.

//Reasons for Interest:// -I would rather not see America engage in yet another war so quickly. -The Republic deserves to stay united and molded as it is currently. -Keeping America away from the Philippine annexation will keep us at the top of commerce and economics; we will have plenty of room to improve, rather than lending a hand to the lesser Filipinos.

//Bibliography: "Andrew Carnegie." __American Experience.__ 1999. PBS. 29 March 2010. .

"Offered To Pay All The Philippine Indemnity." __New York Times.__ 16 May 1902. New York Times. 29 March 2010. <[] >.

Carnegie, Andrew. "Distant Possessions." __North American Review.__ August 1898. 29 March 2010. <[] >.