The Chipley banner. (Chipley, Washington County, Fla.) 1893-1943, 1898-11-26
A WIDE DEPARTURE.

/ A little study of the past will show how
far we have drlfted from original theory
of our government and from the precepts
and practice of the fathers In entering
upon. cateer of territorial expansion.
One OF the best proofs OF this fact is to
be found IN a decision Of the supreme
court rendered December, 1856, in the case
OF Scott VS.. Sandf6rd.
The court said:
"There is certainly no power given by
the constitution to the Federal Govern
ment to establish or maintain colonies
bordering on the United States or at a
distance, to be ruled and governed at its
own pleasure; nor to enlarge Its terrific
rial limits in any way. except by the ad-
mission Of new states. That power is
plainly given; and II new state is ad-
mltted 1t needs no further legislation by
congress. because the constitution itself
defines the relative rights and powers and
duties Of the State, and the citizens Of
the State and the Federal government.
But no power Is given TO acquire terri
tory to be held and governed permanent
ly In that character.
"And indeed the power exercised by con-
gress to acquire territory and establish a
government there, according to its own
unlimited discretion, was viewed with
great jealousy by the leading statesmen
OF the day. And In the Federalist (No.
3s), written by Mr.. Madison, he speaks OF
the acquisition of the Northwestern Ter
rltory OF the confederated states, by the
cession from Virginia. and the establish
ment OF a government there. as an exer-
else of power not warranted by the arti-
Giles Of confederation. and dangerous to
the liberties of the people. And lie urges
the adoption of the constitution as a Sc
curlty and safeguard against such an ex-
else OF power.
"We do not mean, however, to question
the power OF congress In this respect. The
power to expand the territory of the
United States by the admission OF new
states is plainly given, and in the con-
structon of this power by all the depart
ments IF the government 1t has been held
to authorize the acquisition of territory,
not fit for admission at the time, but to
be admitted as soon as Its population and
situation would entitle II to admission. 1t
Is acquired to become state. and not to
be held as colony and governed by con-
gress with absolute authority"
The annexation Of the Philippines would
be squarely against the constitution as
thus interpreted unless we should take
in those islands as state or a set Of
states. That course nobody has yet been
wild enough to propose.
1t is admitted that the Filipinos are
unfit for self government. and II we an
mex them we will have, Of course, to main
tain over them government In which
they have no part. The spectacle of a
free government subjugating a people
will be novel and by no means an ad-
mira bic exhibition 1t will be especially
so II 1t comes as one of the results Of n
war which was waged nominally for the
cause of human freedom. There is no ev-
idence that the Fiipinos desire to come
under our government on any terms. On
the contrary, we have the assurance of
all their leaders who have expressed
themselves on the subject that they de-
sire us to let them alone. The prospect
Is that they will have.to be governed by
force II we insist on taking them in and
we may then be justly accused OF reliev-
ing them of the Spanish yoke only for
the purpose of putting ours upon them
Atlanta Journal.