Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-21
OURS THROUGH CONQUEST.

to-day"
OURS THROUGH CONQUEST.
Referring to the territory acquired by
the United States during the recent war,
Senator Teller said: 1--WE have already
acquired this territory. We need, as a
matter OF fact, no treaty with Spain 10
confirm our right to 1t. By right of con-
uuest-a right undisputed-we came into
possession OF Cuba, Porto Rico, and the
Asiatic archipelago. They are ours just
as certainly AS they could be made so by
treaty"
Mr.. Teller discussed briefly the state
ment of Mr.. Vest that many of the deeds
OF cession of foreign territory acquired
by the United States contained clauses
providing that the territory ultimately
should be erected into States of the
Union. I'VE can confer statehood upon
these territories, when, i'm our Judgment,
IL is proper TO do SO. Nobody can call
up or question our right I'm this matter.
If we acquire territory" he continued,
"the very act carries with IL the right
to government. who" he demanded
with dramatic force, "can govern now i'm
Cuba or Porto Rico, but the United
States? That question Is settled-settled
by the very circumstances Of the case.
The question Is now, What disposition
shall we make Of the territory that has
come into our possession"
RIGHT OF SELF-GOVERNMENT.
Mr.. Teller thought it a duty of our
people and legislators to keep in mind
constantly the great principle upon which
this government is founded, that the
just powers OF a government are de-
rived from the consent Of the governed.
He believed the United States could not
govern the Philippines, once acquired alb
solutely in violation Of this fundamental
principle. I'VE ought" said he, "to eX-
tend 10 the people Of these possessions
the power 10 govern themselves as soon
as they are prepared to exercise that
power.
1--WE are" declared Dir. Teller, coming
to deal with the greatest question |
the American people have met since 1851 |
/ anticipate much difficulty and embar- |
rassment. but have at no time felt the |
d strust that has been manifested by |
many Of our people"
Mr.. Teller said that the United States |
did not 20 to war with Spain for con-
quest, but for freedom and humanity.
AS soon as the relief which was proposed |
had been extended TO the people Of cuba. |
they ought, he thought, 10 be permitted |
to govern themselves. This was the |
declaration Of the resolutions adopted by |
the Congress. The declaration applied |
only 10 Cuba. but he believed IL might
have been made applicable to the rest /
Of the acquired possessions.
IF this government will say to the |
people of this acquired territory" said |
Mr.. Teller 1--WE will give you self-gov-
ernment,' we will not need an army of
900 men in Cuba, 2COO in Porto Rico.
and 10000 in the Philippines. TO say
this 10 those people is the only way TO
escape a great standing army.
81 am not one" he said further along,
to turn these possessions back to Spain,
but l do believe that we ought to give
hem the opportunity 10 govern them
selves. l may say that nobobdy wants
hese possessions made into States now
70 public man is i'm favor of such a plan.
50 far as l am aware; yet in course of
line we may take them in.
mo colonial system. such as England
established years ago in India. will ever
De established under the Stars and
stripes" declared Mr.. Teller. "Our flag
VII always float over liberty and happi-
less insured 10 all the people beneath
Is folds. Although all of them may not
)e accorded the fullest rights Of Ameri-
,an citizens the flag will float as an
.mblem of good government and protec-
ion to them. as it does TO us"
NEED NOT WAR WITH THEM.
In reply to a question from Mr.. Tilman,
,Ir. Teller said he would not 90 TO war
With the people Of the Philippines in order
o force our institutions upon them. He
would consult them as 10 the form of
government they wished. and he believed
hat By pursuing this course We should
void the necessity OF war with the ma
ives. Their government might not be
IS perfect as ours. but all accounts agree
hat the natives were tractable and in
elligent. and capable Of progress.
Mr. Proctor here interrupted Mr. Teller
o read an extract from n letter from Adj
niral Dewey, concerning the character
f the Filipinos. as follows: "These peo-
lie can be governed without the slightest
They readily give I'm 10 rea-
on. and have not had the slightest diff
culty in dealing with them"
Mr. Proctor also read an extract from
ne letter of an army officer I'm terms OF
rofco ~ tho Eilfpfuoe on6 Indicating that |