The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-13
THE DAY IN THE SENATE
Territorial Expansion, Nicara-
guam Canal Occupy the Time.
MORGAN IS FOR ACTION
The Senator Wants the United States to
Take Up the Canal Proposition
at Once Senator Vest on
Anti-Expansion.

Washington. Dec. 12.-Discussion of
two questions, each of importance and
interest at this session, was began by
the senate at its session to-day. Terri
torial expanion and the construction OF
the Nicaraguan canal occupied the at
tention of the body during the greater
part of the afternoon. As soon as the
routine business of the morning had
been disposed of, Mr.. Vest, dem., Mis-
souri,, called up his resolution offered
last week declaring IL to be unconstitu-
tional for this government to acquire
foreign territory except for coaling sta
tions or some like purpose unless its in
tention was to confer statehood upon
the territory and citizenship upon its
Inhabitants. Mr.. Vest declared IL was
a basic principle of this government
that the powers of the government
were derived from the consent of the
governed" and maintained that the
federal government had no authority
either in morals or in the constitution
to go beyond that principle. He held
| that the principle had been sustained
by the supreme court in various decis-
ions and that no public man of proani-
1
ever been reckless enough to controvert
IL.
Mr.. Morgan opened the debate on the
canal bill with a three hours appeal Tor
action at this session. The whole coun-
try, he said, would be disappointed IL
| congress did not act. He was willing to
take any measure which would result
in the building of the canal. In the
! course of his remarks he agreed to ac-
cept an amendment specifically except
ing the canal from neutrality with re-
gard to any country with which the
United States might be at war.
Mr.. Vest declared the United States
supreme court had settled that ques-
tion for all time. He maintained that
the overwhelming argument of the ex-
! panionists was that the constitution ap-
| plies alone to the states of the union.
| In favor of what he termed this mon
| strous proposition" he said the expan-
sionists quoted Daniel Webster, for
whose opinions he himself had the high
est respect. The argument of Mr. Web
ster referred to had been made in a de-
bate with John G. Calhoun when slav-
| cry was dominant issue. Mr. Cal
| houn had maintained that, inasmuch
as slavery was recognized by the fed
! eral constitution, its extension into the
territories acquired by the union OF
states was likewise constitutional Then
1t was that Mr.. Webster had declared
that the constitution applied to the
states alone. ITO say" declared Mr.
Vest. that citizens of a territory are
excluded from the privileges guaranteed
by the bill of rights. and are merely the
subjects of the arbitrary will of con-
gress, is a monstrous proposition: but
fortunately the supreme court has de-
| termined the question in many cases.
Il do not deny" continued Mr.. Vest,
the power Of the federal government
to acquire territory. bur / do deny its
power to acquire territory peopled with
millions without their consent and with
no intention of comforting citizenship
upon them. may be answered that
the point is not good; that il may be
evaded by the taking in of vast tracts
of lands peopled with barbarians to
be held merely for commercial adyan-
tages. When the congress of the United
States shall become so degraded as this
Ii is only a question of time until the
end shall come.
We are a great people" concluded
Mr.. Vest. I'VE are told this country
can. do anything, constitution or no
constitution. We are a great people, il
is sure: but we cannot do more than
another great people did-a people that
conquered the world. not with steel
ships and modern cannon. but with
bare swords and primitive galleys.
The colonial system destroyed all hope
-.
is an appendage of monarchy. Ii can
exist in no free country. because IL up
roots and eliminates the basis of all
republican institutions-that govern
ments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed.
Il know not what may be done with
the glamor of foreign conquest and
greed of the money-making classes of
this country. For myself I would
rather quit public life this minute-nay,
! would be willing to yield life it,
self-rather than give my consent TO
this fantastic and wicked attempt to
revolutionize our government and to
substitute the principles of hereditary
enemy for the teachings of Washington
and his associates"
Mr.. Platt of Connecticut. in express
ing the hope that Mr.. Vest would not
ask for immediate action on his mo-
tion. said he desired To offer some re-
marks upon il. 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 10
limitation. In the remarks he proposed
to submit he would endeavor TO estab-
lsh this belief. He thought il perfectly
evident that II the United States, in
hghting a war. came into possession Of
territory, the progress of its army and
navy could not be stopped until the
constituted authorities should declare
whether IL was the purpose of the gov
ernment to hold the acquired territory
with the ultimate intention Of confer
ring statehood upon its Inhabitants.
In response 10 an inquiry by Mr.
Hoar. Mr.. Platt declared that the power
Of the government to acquire territory
was full and plenary. To this PROPOSE
tion. unless IL were accomplished by
declarations as to the purpose Of the
government for the territory acquired,
which purpose should be within the
power Of the constitution 10 confer, Mr..
Hoar said. he desired to enter his en-
phatic dissent.
Mr.. Morgan called up the Nicaragua
canal bill. which was read in extenso.
and Mr.. Turpie thereupon suggested to
Mr.. Morgan the advisab,lity OF postpon-