Evening star., 1898-12-20


Mr.. Proctor's resolution providing for a
committee of senators to visit Cuba and
Porto Rico, with a view to ascertaining
the conditions on the islands and report
ing them. with recommendations to the
Senate.
Mr.. Proctor-"In order to give nv friend
from Maine (AIr. Hale) an opportunity to
object, | ask immediate consideration of
the resolution
Mr.. Haie-''I object The reSoIu.ior w, C
then placed on the calendar
on motion of Mr.. Hoar (Mass.} 1t was
ordered that on February - imrnedia tey
alter the Senate convenes, Washington's
farewell address be read by Mr. Wolcott
(ColD
"A bill authorizing General A E. Bates of
the Unrted States army to accept the dec
oration of the Legion of Honor conferred
upon him by the president of the French
republic was passed.
bill to extend the time for the con-
struction of a bridge across the Columbia
river between the states of Oregon and
Washington by the Oregon and Washing
ton Bridge Company was passed.
Mr.. Teller on Constitutional Rights
In accordance with notice given yesterday
Mr.. Teller (COl) then addressed the Sem
ate upon Mr.. Vests resolution declaring
tnat under the Constitution no power is
gwen to acquire territory to be held and
governed permanently as colonies
Mr.. Telers address, like that of Mr.
Platt. was constitutional argument, in
the course of which he maintained the
right of the United States to acquire for
eign territory without entering upon a dis
cuSslon OF the policy OF expansion. except
of course, in an incidental and inferential
way. In view of Mr.. Platts very able ex-
position OF the question, Mr.. Teller thought
he might omit properly much that he had
intended to discuss. He did not think
there was the slightest question of the
power OF this government to acquire for
eign territory.
IF we are a nation" he declared I'VE
nave the power to exercise the rights of a
natlon-all the rights of any sovereign
power.
He believed that the founders of this gov
ernment intended to found nation and
the idea that they carried their intention
into execution had been sustained by the
Senate. House of Representatives and the
courts ever since. He declared that it was
q prerogative Of a nation to defend itself
When the country was called upon in 1861
to meet this question, it met It fairly and
settled il for all time. So far as the United
States was concerned. at least, the question
was settled finally at ApDOmattox.
Then, declar red Mr.. Teller, I'VE took our
place as a nation. endowed with all the
powers of a sovereign, and we possess
those powers today
Referring to the territory acquired by the
United States during the recent war, Mr..
Teller said We have already acquired
this territory. We need, as a matter of
fact, no treaty with Spain to confirm our
right to it. By right of conquest-a right
undisputed-we came into possession OF
Cuba, Porto Rico and the Asiatic archipel
ago. They are ours just as certainly as
they could be made so by treaty"
Mr.. Teller discussed briefly the statement
of Mr.. Vest that many of the deeds of ces
sion of foreign territory acquired by the
United States contained clauses providing
that the territory ultimately should be
erected into states of the Union. We can
when, in our judgment, it is proper so to
do. Nobody can call into question our
right to exercise our judgment III this mat
ter.
Right to Govern Implied.
IF We acquire territory he continued,
"the very act carries with it the right to
govern. Who" he demanded, with dra-
matte force, can govern now In Cuba or in
Porto Rico but the United States? That
question is settled-settled by the very cir
cumstances of the case. The question IS
now. What disposition shah we make of
the territory that has come into our pos
session?
Mr.. Teller thought it duty of our people
and legislators 10 keep in mind consfa ntIy
the great principle upon which this govern
ment is founded<-that the just powers of a
government are derived from the consent of
the governed He believed the Unitd States
could not govrn the possessions acquired
absolutely in violation OF this fundamental
principle. We ought said he, ITO extend
to The people of those possessions the pow
er to govern themselves as soon as they
are prepared to exercise that power.
we are declared Mr.. Teller, coming
to deal with the greatest question the
American people have met since 1861. ]
anticipate much difficulty and embarrass-
nent. but have at no time felt the distrust
that has been manifested by many of our
people
The United States did not go to war with
Spain for conquest. Mr. Teller said, but for
freedom and humanity.
SeIf-GOvernment in Time.
AS soon as the relief which was proposed
had been extended to the people of Cuba,
they ought, he thought be permitted to
govern themselves. This was the declara-
tion OF the resolutions adopted by the Con-
gress. The declaration applied only to
Cuba but he believed it might have been
made applicable to the people of all the
acquired posse essions.
If this government will say to the peo-
pie cf this acquired territory" said Mr.
Teller, We will give you sclf-govern-
rdent,' We viii not need an army of II, 900
men in Cuba. 10000 in Porto Rico and 30
600 in the Philippines. To say this to those
standing army.
Il am not one'' he continued further
along, ito turn these possessions back to
to Spain. but i do believe that we ought to
selves. | may say that nobody wants these
pO: sessions made into states now. No pub
,ic man is in favor of such a plan far as
am aware. Yet, in course of time, we
may take them in
SO far and as soon as possible Mr.. Teller
believed that the Inhabitants of Cuba
| should be given self-government but he did
| not believe that the United States should
| leave the infant power thus established as
! prey of any other nation, either through
| conquest or treaty
He believed it folly to talk of Imperial
| ism as applied to this country. No man or
| set of men had any intention of estab ablish-
| ing in this country the European policy of
| imperialism and none would champion such
a course.
No Colonial system.
| No colonial system, such as England es-
| tabished years ago in India, will ever be
| established under the stars and stripes"
| declared Mr.. Teller. Our flag will always
| float over liberty and happiness insured to
| all the people beneath its folds, although
| all OF them may not be accorded the fullest
| rights OF American citizens That fag will
| noat as an emblem of good government
4 inr To h.r, ;t IL