The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-13
Citizenship to All is a Fundamental
Principle of Our Government.
THE NICARAGUA CANAL BILL,
Mr.. Morgan Appeals for Action at this
Session-A Bill for Raising the
Maine-The House Was Enga-
ged in District of Columbia
Afairs-ReIiefo of Amer
lean Scamen Discussed

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12-Discussion of
two questions. each of interest and I'M
portance at this time. was begun by the
Senate at its session to-day. Territorial
expansion and the construction OF the
Nicaraguan canal occupied the attention
OF the body during the greater part Oh
the afternoon.
As soon as the routine morning busl-
ness had been disposed Of. Mr.. vest
Dem, OF MssourD called up his resolu-
tion. offered last week, declaring II 10 De
unconstitutional for this Government TO
acquire foreign territory except for coal
ing stations or some like purpose, unless
its intention was to confer statehood upon
the territory and citizenship upon us
inhabitants.
GOVERNED MUST CONSENT,
Mr.. Vest declared that il was basic
principle Of this Government that the
powers OF the government were derived
from the consent of the governed ana
maintained that the Federal Government
had no authority either in morals or III
the Constitution to go beyond that prih-
ciple. lie held that the principle had
been sustained by the Supreme Court III
various decisions. and that no pubic man
OF prominence and no recognized triouhai
had been reckless enough TO controNert
n until within the last six months
"when the craze of expansion seems 10
have taken hold of the American peo-
pie
Mr.. Vest thought II was the purpose
of the exDansionists TO adopt the EURO,
mean system OF colonization. lie pointed
out that Great Britain had in the mother
country 12O.979 square miles OF territory
and i'm her colonies l6.661,0n square miles,
The disproportion of population was
about the same.
ALL BUT THE INDIANS.
Mr.. Vest maintained that the tundanleh-
tai principle of this Government was
the granting Of citizenship to all withih
the Jurisdiction of the Government, ex-
cept alone the Indians. lie dld not De-
lieye that anybody would be reckless
enoueh TO say that Thomas Jefferson,
who penned the words. "All governments
derive their lust powers from the consent
of the governed" was not accurate IN
tho light OF our Constitution. In the act
oe the cession of the territory or LOUIS
iana from France TO the United States
Is found a provision that the inhabitants
az soon as possible shall be made cltl-
zens of the United States and the terri
tory of Louisiana be made state OF the
Union So il was, declared Mr. vest
when Florida was acquired from SPAN
and when Alaska was obtained from
Russia. .'When, where, how, he askeu
"have we surrendered the great power
tbot This il a confederation OF safes
T cannot conceive it to be- possible 10 Ig-
ura ont anv other form OF government
under the Constitution
SETTLED FOR ALL TINE.
,rr Vest declared that the United states
e,-,,,,.o.,a Court mad settled that ques-
lion for all time Mr.. Vest maintained
thot the overwhelming argument OF ihe
expansionists was that the constitution
applies alone 10 the States OF the Oiioii.
I'm what he termed this proposltloh'
he said the expans.onists quoted Dahlel
Webster. for whose opinions ne h~lilsei. minister
bad the highest respect. The argument
of Mr. Webster referred TO had peeh
made in \ debate with John c. Calhoun.
vbon slavery was the dominant issue.
Mr. Calhoun had maintained that mas
much as slavery was recognized by the
Federal Constitution, its extension INTO
The Territories acquired by the Union oil
states was constitutional Then IL was
that Mr. Webster had declared that the
constitution applied 20 the States alone.
..,ro say - declared Mr.. Vest. that citi-
zens Of a Territory are excluded from the
.,-,,.ileoes guaranteed by the bill Of
rights and arc merely the subjects or
the arbitrary will Of Congress, IS mon
strous proposition. but fortunately tho
snnreme Court has determined that ques-
tion I'm many cases.
REGINNING OF THE END.
or do not deny" continued Mr.. Vest
n.bo noUer of the Federal government
IN acouire territory, but | do deny lts
mower 10 acquire territory populated WIN
,,iliions without their consent ana WIN
NO intention of comforting upon them GU
zenship. | may be answered that the
noint Is not good, that q may be eVaded
bv the taking in of vast tracts or lands
nconled with barbarians to be held mere
" for commercial advantages. When
tho Congress Of the United States shaH
hecome so degraded as this 1t Is only
question of time until the end snail
come"
I'VE are a great people. concluded MT
Vest. Eve are told that this country can
do anything. constitution or no cohstltu,
ton. we are great people. II Is true pul
we cannot do more than another great
people did-a people that conquered INC
world. not with steel ships and modern
tive gallies.
UN-REPUBLIcAN.
.'The colonial system destroyed all hope
Of Republicanism in the old time, 1t Is
an appendage OF monarchy. IL can exist
I'm no free country because 1t uproots
and eliminates the basis OF all repubn-
can Institutions; that governments de-
rive their just powers from the consent
of the governed"
al know not what may be done with
the glamour of foreign conquest and greed
of the money making classes OF this
country For myself would rather quit
public life this minute-nay, | would be
willing TO yield life itself-rather than
give my consent TO this fantastic and
wicked attempt to revolutionize our gov
eminent and To substitute the principles
Of hereditary enmity for the teachings of
Washington and his associates.
MR.. PLATT DlSSENTS.
Mr. Platt lConnectieup In expressing
the hope that Mr.. Vest would not ask
for immediate action upon his resolu.
ton. said he desired to offer some re-
marks upon II. but was not prepared to-
dav TO do so. He did not. he said ac-
o,,iesce in tho law as stated by the Mis-