The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-02
F4PANSTONJSTS At SEA.

hlHuly explained 10 Il NoIueIlHS pGO-
pie the method by which all constitu-
tional obstacles to annexation are to
be removed. 1t is very simple "The
constitution does not enter into the
question at ALL" In heartily commend
ing this view of the case, the New York
Times remarks that we simply take
the Philippine islands as we would
take any other piece Of property be-
yond our borders, and possess and
control them without making them a
part of the territory of the United
States. If we made the Philippines a
territory Of the Union, we should at
once bring the islands under the con-
stitution," and the clause forbidding
all discrimination in tlc matter of dU~
ties, imposts and excuses would at once
be operative and obligatory. The lat
ter point is not disputed by Senator
Morgan or the Times. The United
States" means the states, territories
and District of Columbia. Hence tho
necessity OF getting outside of the cor
stltution.
This sounds ike very comfortable
| theory till we hear from some other
expounder. Here is the Hon John A.
Kasson of Iowa. for instance, who is
led to make the surprising statement
that congress may and does impose
| different forms of government upon
different territories "a fact which no.
body denies), but that even tariffs in
outlying territories may be complete
ly different" The context shows that
he includes "the western territories.
Alaska and the District of Columbia
in the term, outlying territories" Of
course this is absurd, but where are
the imperialists at? Up to the present
time. they seem to be altogether at sea.
There is no consistent agreement
among them as to policy or constjtu-
tional Interpretation.
In a speech delivered in New York.
Gen. Daniel Butterfield declared with
some vehemence for permanent mill.
tary government of the islands, and
urged the nation ITO put up the bars
! and by the one safe and sure guaran-
( tee of a constitutional amendment pro-
| hibit admission of any state into the
| Union which is not a portion of the
American continent" Apparently Gen.
Butterfeld does not agree either with
/ Senator Morgan or with Mr. Kasson.
He thinks the constitution has a bear
ing on the question; that, when terri
tory is annexed, it is annexed and
thereupOn becomes a candidate for
statehood, according to a decision of
the supreme court, and that an amend
ment is necessary in order to over
come political obstacles if for no other
reason. Gen. Butterield does not rank
as an eminent eXpounder of the con-
stitution, but neither do the other gen
tlemen who are quoted.
These opinions, taken from the
speeches of annexationists, again JUS
tify the assertion made some time ago
by The Spy, that the taking of the
Spanish dependencies implies the ere
alton of new class Of territories for
which no warrant has hitherto been
found in the constitution, and for
which a new Interpretation must be
devised. Apparently the intention is to
prolopg the military government of the
coonies to the utmost practicable lin
it; to annex the islands to the real es-
<tate holdings of the government. as i.
they were so many navy yards OF
guano heaps, to adopt Mr.. Kasson' 5
own phrase: but not to annex them
to the territory in which the politica
rights guaranteed by the constitution
have any standing; not to make the
inhabitants American citizens but vas
sails.
That is precisely the system against
which Senator Hoar acclaimed so elo-
quently in Mechanics Hall Whether
this policy be considered voluntary 81
by the logic of events compulsory, il
is revolutionary. No other word dc
scribes it. Success is the common jus
LITIGATION Of a, revolution, and there
never was greater need of the best
quality of craftsmanship than will be
required to make success certain in the
present emergency.