The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-20
EXT PANSION FIGHT ON
Mr.. PIatt, of Conn, Speaks
Against Vest Resolution
A SOVEREIGN RIGHT
GOVERNMENT CAN TAKE ANY
AMOUNT OF TERRITORY.
DISCUSSION OF THE CANAL BILL
Bailey Offers Resolution to investigate Rights
Of Members Holding Commissions in
frmy to Keep Their Seats
in the Eouse.
in the House.

FiutI W NCGp EHVH
in the Rouse.
Washington, Dec. 19-The EenaJc had
very busy day and there were sev-
eral important speeches. Mr.. Platt, Of
Connecticut, spoke against the Vest
resolution, which declares that the
United States has no power to acquire
territory.
Il shall maintain c. Piatt,
"that the United States :,a7 shown Il
great capacity in all trying times aud
under many trying conditions and thar
it is capable of meeting any emergency
likely to arise. / propose % conline
myself to the question of the IiS!tg or
power denied by the resolution, !
shall contend that the United States is
a nation and that as such it possesses
every sovereign power not reserved by
the Constitution to the States or to the
people themselves; that the right to ac-
quire territory was not reserved and
that, therefore, that right is an inherent
right-a sovereign right, right to
which there is no limitation. | shall
show. also, that in certain instances,
this inherent sovereign right is to he
inferred from specific clauses of the
Constitution itself.
Mr. Platt then launched into Il con-
stitutional argument, quoting extensive
ly from authorities treating of the ques-
ton. In maintenance of his position
Al =
acquire foreign territory he quoted from
the opinion of Justice Gray in the Chin
ese Exclusion case. He declared that
in the discussion of the annexation Of
the Hawaiian Islands the entire ques-
tion of this Governments right to uc-
quire foreign territory was considered
thoroughly and that the Senate had
settled it satisfactorily and rightly.
1--WE did not annex the Hawaiian Is
lands as Il State" said Mr.. Platt, "or
with any declaration that the territory
should become a State. We took it by
cession. Our title to the territory is
perfect and complete and constitu-
tiona"
Mr.. Platt maintained that our right
to Florida did not rest alone upon the
quit claim from Spain, but upon a deep
or and broader right. He held that the
United States have the right to ac-
quire territory in all ways that are
conceded to other sovereign nations of
the world
Further along Mr.. Platt suggested that
it might become necessary in the inter
ests Of commerce. or some other inter-
est for the United States TO acquire ter
ritory in Africa "Shall we be bound
by the Constitution to organize a State
from such acquired territory and to adj
nit its inhabitants to citizenship"
Suppose" he continued, that the
Senator from Alabama Mr.. MorganJ,
secures the passage of his bill for the
construction of the Nicaraguan Canal
(and | pray he may, and suppose III
this connection it should be deemed
necessary for the United States to ac-
quire strip Of land along the route
Of the canal of 100000 aeres-I think
that is the amount suggested-can we
not take it? If we take it. what clause
of the Constitution directly or impliedly
says we must organize a State Of the
acquired territory or confer citizenship
upon the people who inhabit it?'
Referring to Mr.. Vests reliance upon
Mr. Platt declared that, in the light of
years Chief Justice Taney's opinion be-
came mere dictum" and that it was.
too late, in these days to resurrect the
Dred Scott decision as Il basis Of con-
stitutional action on the part of the
United States.
Continuing, Mr.. Platt contended that
the doctrine he was presenting was not
new, but it was the doctrine of the
fathers and he quoted Governor Morris
as advancing the theory that acquired
territory might be governed as Il pro-
vince, but not as a State. The remark
applied to the possibility of the acquire
ment of Louisiana and Canada.
In response to a question from Mr.
Allen, Mr.. Platt said that he did not
think there was any limitation on the
power Of the United States to acquire
territory.
"As complete as tho power of Russia.
for instance in such mattar!" asked
Mr.. Allen.
"Yes: the right TO acquire territory
is an element of nationality. And ! do
not believe that there is any obligation
to give to the people of acquired terri
tory the right of sclf-goyernment until
such time as they are fit to exercise that
right. If we peiia1e the people Of a
country acquired are not fitted for the
government of themselves, it is onr duty
to give them ch" most liberal govern
ment they are capable Of accepting AMI
to educate them up as best we may to
the point whore they will 10 capable
of self-government The Constitution
does not confer the right 6f suT HSe.
Mr.. Platt said b could no: agree with