The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-09-29
Our Future Policy.
BY Hon. ]. G. CARLISLE.

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At period when we are in danger
OF an extreme reaction against our
traditional policy, the necessity for
caution and circumspection is para.
mount. The author points out the
difficulties in the way::of colonial ex-
panson.
HOW SHOULD WE GOVERN CAPTURED
COLONIES ?
A large majority of the population
which the advocates of conquest and
annexation propose to incorporate in
to the body of ofAmerican citizenship
the Chinese, Malays, half-breeds, ma
tive pagans, and others-are not only
wholly unfit to govern themselves,
but incapable of being successfully
governed under our free Constitution.
If, however, territory is acquired, it
must be governed by either direct
Congressional legislation or by the in
habitants themselves, under such
supervision and control as Congress
can constitutionally exercise. At the
close of the war the title to all the
territory actually held IN subsection by
our military forces will, unless other
wise provided by stipulation or treaty,
be vested in the United States tor all
public and political purposes. During
the war, and while held by the mill
tary authorities, it will be subject to
the laws of war, and may be governed
accordingly, because it is still enemy's
country; and if de taeto government
has been established by the military
authorities during the occupation, and
is in existence when peace is conclud-
ed, that government may he continu-
ed for reasonable time afterwards,
In order that persons and property
may be protected until the laws of the
new sovereign can be extended over
it. This exceptional form of govern
ment is justifable only on the ground
of necessity, and consequently it can
be rightfully continued only for suf-
fcient time to enable the new propri-
etor to establish its own civil author
ity over the conquest or cession. But
this dc facfo military government can
not, after the war is over, exercise any
authority inconsistent with the Consti-
tuition of the United States. There is
no room for military despotism, or
the exercise of arbitrary power by the
civil authorities, any where within the
jurisdiction of the United States in
time of peace; and whenever the Phil
ipplne Islands, Puerto Rico, or other
islands shall become part of our terri
tory, their inha bitants will be entitled
70 all the rights, privileges, and i'm
munities secured to the people by the
Constitution. While held by the mill
tary forces, after the cessation of hos
tilities, the officials representing the
de Jacf0 government may administer
the local affairs and establish rules
and regulations for the preservation of
peace and order, but the fundamental
rights of the people must be respect
ed.
"It cannot be admitted" says the
Supreme Court in a well-considered
case, "that the King of Spain could,
by treaty or otherwise, impart to the
United States any of his royal perog-
atives; and much less can it be admit
ted that they have capacity to receive
or power to exercise them. Every
nation acquiring territory. by treaty or
otherwise, must hold it subject to the
Constitution ard laws of its own gov
eminent, and not according to those of
the government ceding it."-From
"Our Future Policy" by HON. ]. G.
CARLISLE, in Harpey's Magazine for
October.