The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-12-13
CORGRRss.
Senator Vest Ia opposed to TX

I
at this session, was begun by the senate
at its session today. Territorial exptn-
sion and the construction OF the Near
aqua canal occupied the attention Of the
body during the greater part Of the alter
noon. A soon az the routine morning
business had been disposed OF. Mr.. Vest
called up his resolution, offered last week.
declaring It to be unconstitutional for this
government TO acquire foreign territory
except for eoaling stations or some like
purpose. unless its intention was to confer
statehood upon the territory and citizen
ship upon its inhabitants. Mr.. Vest de-
clared that It was basic principle Of this
government that "the powers Of the SOW
ernment were derived from the consent Of
the governed, and maintained that the
federal government had no authority.
either in morals or in the constitution, to
go beyond that principle.
Mr Morgan opened the debate on the
canal bill with three hour S speech. lie
was willing to take any measure which
would result in the building o the canal.
In the course OF his remarks ne agreed to
accept an amendment specifically except
Ing the canal from neutrality with regard
to any country with which the United
States might be at war
MIR. Vest declared that the United States
supreme court had settled that question
for all time. Mr. Vest maintained that the
overwhelming argument Of the expansion
lists was that the constitution applies to
the states Of the union alone. In favor
Of what he termed this monstrous pro-
ed Daniel Webster, for whose opinions ne,
himself had the highest respect. The
argument Of Mr. Webster referred 10 had
been made in debate with John c. CAL
boun, when slavery was dominant issue.
Mr.. Calhoun mad maintained that mas
much as slavery was recognized by the
federal constitution, its extension into the
territories acquired by the union OF states
was constitutional. Then It was that IIr
Webster had declared that the constftu-
tion applied to the states alone.
ITO say declared Mr.. Vest. '%hat clu-
zens Of a territory are excluded from the
privileges guaranteed by the Dhl OF rights
and are merely the subjects Of the arbi-
trary win OF congress, lie a monstrous pro
position: but fortunately, ehe supreme
court had determined that question II
many cases"
Il 80 not deny" continued Mr.. Vest
''the power of the federal government t.
acquire territory but do deny its powers
to acqplre territory peopled with mi.11:ons
without their consent and wit.i no inten-
tion OF conferring upon them citizenship.
may be answered that the point is not
good, that 1t may be evaded By Gle takirs
in Of vast tracts OF lands peopled with
barbarians to be held merely for CONNER
cial advantages. When the congress OF
the United States shall become so desrad-
ed as this. IT is only question OF time
until the end shall come.
we are great ps.ple. Ne are to'o
that this country can 90 a..s ,sl.ng, const.-
tugion or no constitution. "e as a grea-
people. it Is true, put Nc cannot nloIe
than another great people diu-tne peopie
who conquered the word, not wIun tne
....t ,ht,, o,.a ,,odarr cannon hut win
swords and primitive gaHeys. Inc colonia.
sy stem destroyed all hope OF republican,
ism in the old time. 1t is an appendage
Of monarchy. 1t can exist in no free coun-
try because it uproots and eliminates the
basis Of all republican insututlons-tha,
governments derive their just power from
the consent Of the governed. know not
what may be done with the glamour OF
foreign conquest and greed Of the money
making classes of this country. For my
self, would rather quit public life this
minute-nay would be willing 70 yield
life itself-rather than give my consent 10
this fantastic and wicked attempt 10 re-
voiutionize our government and 10 sub
stitute the 2 inciples Of our hereditary
enemy for the teachings OF Washington
and his associates"
Mr. Platt in expressing the hope that
Mr.. Vest would not ask for immediate
Mr.. Vest would not ask for immediate ae-
tion upon his resolution, said he desired
to offer some remarks upon It, but was
not prepared today TO do So He did not,
he said, aequiSsce In the law as stated by
the Missouri senator In the remarks, ne
proposed to submit he would endeavor 10
/ establish this belief He thought 1t per-
fectly evident that II the United States
in fghtinE a war, came into possession oi
territory, the progress Of It's army and
navy could not be stopped until the con-
stituted authorities should declare wheth'
er II was the purpose OF the government
70 hold the acquired territory vitA tn
ultimate intention OF eonferring statehood
upon its inhabitants
In response to an inquiry by AFR Hoar
Mr.. Plstt declared that tho power OF th'
government 10 acquire territory was ful
ana plenary.
To this proposition. unless Il were ac
companied by declarations as to the pur