The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-13
JefsEss " On III. ,ouISAv4 oUaCH E

During the agitation in favor of tax
in the Philippine Islands the tex
pansionists" have sought to use Jeffer-
sons purchase of Louisiana as a pre-
cedent for their policy. 1t is the most
remarkable evidence that Jefferson
teachings are still the most vital force
in America that Republicans are happy
when they can quote his action as pre-
cedent for theirs.
1t has often been pointed out that the
difference between purchasing the con-
tiguous territory of Louisiana and the
far-away tropical Philippine Islands was
so great that the first afforded no prece-
dent. 1t remained, however, for Capt.
S. A. Ashe, of this city. to point out
the radical difference by reference to
Jefferson's own words with reference
to the Louisiana purchase. In recent
letter to the Springfield Republican,
Capt Ashe writes:
."The suggestion that because 'Massa-
chusetts was wrong in 1903 in regard TO
the ACQUISITION of Louisiana, therefore
she is wrong now,' is so specious that it
may be interesting to note some differ
ences.
jefferson in his letter to Brecken-
ridge. page 49S, volume i, of his works,
says: The future inhabitants of the
Atlantic and Mississippi States will be
our sons. We think we see their hap
piness in their union and we wish 1t. IN
the event of their differing he re-
marks: 1T is the elder and the younger
son differing. God bless them both and
keep them in union" Continuing. he
says: 1.-THE inhabited part of Louisi-
ana. from PIT. Coupee to the sea, will OF
course be Immediately a territorial gov
eminent. and soon a State" And when
we shall be full on this side (of the Mis-
sissippi) we may lay off a range of States
on the western bank from the head to
the mouth and so. range after range,
advancing compactly as we mu tiply."
"Note the diversity, as Coke some
where says, between the purposes then
in view and the present purpose. Again,
jefferson exclaims: Il would not give
one inch of the waters of the Mississippi
TO any nation. because / see in light
very important to our peace the eXciu-
siye right to its navigation. and the al
mission of no nation into it, but as into
the Potomac and Delaware. with our
consent and under our police" Note
another diversity: President Jefferson
in his message of October II, 1903. tells
Congress that ''the appropriation of two
millions of dollars to be applied and
accounted for by the president, as Il
part of the price. was considered as con
veying the sanction of Congress to the
acquisition" That is, Congress had au-
thorized the president to make the pur-
chase. Here the president takes the
bit in his teeth and acts for the people
of this country in so grave matter
without authority or sanction.
"Now, hear Jefferson as to the au-
thority to act | quote: This treaty
must be of course he laid before both
Houses. because both have important
functions to exercise respecting 1t.
They. | presume. will see their duty to
their country in ratifying and paying for
it. so as to secure a good which would
otherwise probably never again be in
their power. But l suppose they must
then appeal to the nation for an addi-
tional article to the constitution, APP
proving and confirming an act which the
nation had not previously authorized
The constitution has made no provision
for our holding foreign territory, still
| less for incorporating foreign nations
| into our Union. The executive in Selling
the fugitive occurrence, which so much
advances the good of their country,
have done an act beyond the constitu-
| ton. The Legislature in casting behind
| them metaphysical subtleties and risking
| themselves like faithful servants, must
ratfy and pay for it, and throw them
selves on their country for doing for
| them unauthorized, what we know they
would have done for themselves had
| they been in situation to do II. IL Is
| the case Of a guardian, investing the
| money of his ward in purchasing an
important adjacent territory; and saying
| to him when of age. / did this for your
good. | pretend to no right TO bind YOU
| You may disayow me, and ] must get
out of the scrape as / can. ] thought II
my duty to risk myself for YOU. But we
| shall not be disavowed by the nation,
| and their act OF indemnity will confirm
| and not weaken the constitution by
more strongly. marking out its lines. y
| Page 500, volume A.
| SIN the summer Of 1903 Jefferson was
| engaged in considering the proposed