The record-union., 1898-12-13

ment under the Constitution"
Vest declared that the United States
supreme Court had settled the question
for all time. He maintained that the
overwhelming argument of the expan-
sionists was that the Constitution ap-
plies alone to the Union. In favor of
what he termed this monstrous prop
osition," he said the expansionists
quoted Daniel Webster. for whose opin-
ions he, himself, had the highest re-
spect. The argument of Mr.. Webster
referred to had been made in debate
with John C. Calhoun. when slavery
was dominant issue. Mr.. Calhoun
had maintained that inasmuch as
slavery was recognized by the Fed
eral Constitution, it's extension into the
Territories acquired by the union of
States was constitutional. Then it was
that Mr.. Webster had declared that
the Constitution applied to the States
alone.
ITO say" declared Vest, that citi-
zens of a Territory are excluded from
the privileges guaranteed by the bin
of rights, and are merely the subjects
of the arbitrary will of Congress, is
monstrous proposition; but, fortunate
ly, the Supreme Court had determined
that question in many cases.
Il do not deny" continued Vest, "the
power Of the Federal Government to
acquire territory, but I do deny it's
power to acquire territory peopled
with millions without their consent,
and with no intention of comforting
upon them citizenship. 1 may be an
swered that the point is not good; that
it may be evaded by the taking in of
vast tracts of lands peopled with bar
barians to be held merely for COM
mercial advantages. When the Con-
gress of the United States shall be-
come so degraded as this, it is only
question of time until the end shall
come
I'VE are a great people," continued
Vest. I'VE are told that this country
can do anything, Constitution or nj
Constitution. We are a great people
it is true, but we cannot do more than
another great people did-a people tina!
conquered the world, not with steel
ships and modern cannon. but with
bare swords and primitive galleys. The
colonial system destroyed all hope of
republicanism in the old time. It is
an appendage of monarchy 1t can
exist in no free country, because it up
roots and eliminates the basis of all
republican institutions-that govern
ments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed. I know
not what may be done with the glamor
of foreign conquest and greed of the
moneymaking classes of this country.
For myself, would rather quit public
life this minute-nay. I would be will
ing to include life itself-rather than
~. Co.,
wicked attempt to revolutionize our
Government, and substitute the prin-
ciples Of our hereditary enemies for
the teachings of Washington and his
associates"
Platt of Connecticut, in expressing
the hope that Vest would not ask for
immediate action upon his resolution,
said he desired to offer some remarks
upon it, but was not prepared to-day to
do so. He did not, he said, acquiesce
in the law as stated by the Missouri
Senator. He believed that the power to
acquire territory was inherent in the
nation, and was not subject to hmita-
ton. In the remarks he proposed to
submit he would endeavor to establish
this belief. He thought it perfectly ev-
ident that if the United States, in fight
ing a war, came into possession OF ter
ritory, the progress of it's army and
navy could not be stopped until the
constituted authorities should declare
whether it was the purpose of the Gov
ernment to hold the acquired territory,
with the ultimate intention of confer
ring Statehood upon it's inhabitants.
In response to an inquiry by Hoar,
Platt declared that the power of the
Government to acquire territory was
full and plenipotentiary
To this proposition, unless it were ac-
companied by declarations as to the
purpose of the government of territory
acquired, which purpose should be with
in the power Of the Constitution to con-
fer, Hoar said he desired to enter his
dissent.
Morgan called up the Nicarag guam
Canal bill, which was read in extenso,
and Turpie thereupon suggested to
Morgan the advisability of postponing
the considera ton of the bill until after
January 1st He called attention to the
fact that the President in his message
suggested that matters should remain
in statu quo until the report of the
Canal Commission was made. 1t was
an open secret, he said, that the COM
mission would report by the first of
the new year. The report would deal
with questions timely and vitally i'm
portant in connection with the bill. 1t
would report officially upon the feast
bility Of the enterprise, the practicable
'ity of routes, and the estimated expen-
ditures The work of the commission
had cost a quarter of a million. Why
not wait? Why go it blind?
Morgan said that the country had
reached a conclusion upon this Ques
ton, and would not be satisfied, he
thought, to see this session pass with
out the enactment Of legislation which
would secure the building of the canal.
Hoar suggested that the clause relat-
ing to the neutrality of the canal should
be amended SO as to read: Except as
to nations at war with the United
States"
Morgan said he would accept the
amendment. No Senator should vote
against the bill on this account.
Morgan said the President, in whom
Congress had so wisely and confidingly
intrusted a fund of S5O,O0O,OOO, to be
used at his discretion could certainly
be trusted to hear and determine the
objections of Nicaragua or Costa Rica
or the stockholders of the Maritime
Canal Company. Morgan said his plea
was for action. This bill did not seek
TO build the canal it simply placed the
question in the hands Of the President.
In reply to question, Morgan said
that he did not believe it would be
competent for the United States, inde-