The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-12-20
EXPANSION IS ARGUED
RIGHT OF UNITED STATES TO AC-
QUIRE TERRITORY ASSERTED
BY MIR. PLATT
VEST RESOLUTION OPPOSED

as Is Asserted by Russia In the
Acquirement OF ColOnies-Argu-
ment BASED Largely Upon Com
st1tuttOnaI Law.
/ WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-The senate
had busy day and there were several
/ important speeches. Mr.. Platt Conn }
spoke against the Vest resolution which
| declares that the United States has no
| power to acquire territory
Mr.. Platt's speech was a constitu-
! uonal argument maintaining the legal
right of the United States to acquire
! territory, the speaker saying he did not
: propose to discuss the policy Of ex-
| pansion, nor the features Of the gov
erpment we might establish in any for
eIgn territory we might acquire. Ex-
| panslon, he said, had been a law of our
national growth, the handspring of our
| national development, and added: II
shall maintain that the United States
has shown great capacity for govern
ment in all trying times, and under
many trying circumstances, and that it
Is capable of meeting any emergency
likely to arise. l shall contend that
Tie United States is a nation, and, as
! such, 1t possesses sovereign power not
! reserved by the constitution to the
states or to the people themselves; the
right to acquire territory was not re-
served, and therefore that right is a
sovereign right, a right to which there
is no Imitation
In response to a question from Mr.
Allen, Mr.. Platt said that he did not
think there was any limitation on the
power of the United States to acquire
territory
AS complete as the power of Russia,
for instance, in such matters?" asked
Mr.. Allen.
Yes, the right to acquire territory
is an element of nationality. And [ do
not believe that there is any obligation
to give to the people Of an acquired
territory the right Of self government
until such time as they are fit to exer-
else that right. If we believe the peo-
pie of country acquired are not fitted
for government of themselves it is our
duty to give them the most liberal gov
ment they are capable Of accepting and
to educate them as best it may be to the
pcint of government. The consti-
tuition does not confer the right of suf-
frage."
RIGHT OF CITIZENSHIP.
He went into this point at length.
citing the fact that women and chill
dren are citizens, but do not vote: that
neither do the citizens of the District of
Columbia; that in Massachusetts those
who could not read and write could not
vote, and that other states denied suf-
frage in part. 1t was, he said, mat
ter Of state legislation.
Mr.. Hoar asked Mr.. Platt whether
he believed the doctrine that govern
ments derive their just powers from
the consent of the governed
Mr.. Platt replied that the consent of
all those governed was not always nee
essary When he first became a voter
he had to pay $134 for real estate in or
der to receive the privilege of voting.
In conclusion Mr.. Platt said he could
not understand the sentimental mo-
tives Of those who wished to circum-
scribe the power of the nation. WHY.
he asked, should we blight those DOW
ers or strive by sophistry to hamper
the progress and growth of the coun
try. Rather than pusue this course,
why should senators not wish the ma
tion God-speed in its mission Of extend
ing our institutions as far as possible.
AS for himself he knew our people to
be liberty-loving and right-govern-
Ing people, and he had no misgivings
! that they would fail in their duty to
the people of any acquired territory.
He had faith In the government and
faith in its position, and had no dispo-
sition to express any craven fear.
The conference report en- the emer-
| gency deficiency bill was agreed to.
Mr.. Gallinger, from the committee on
contingent expenses, then attempted to
report the resolution introduced by
Mr.. Proctor. providing for the appoint
ment Of a select committee of the SEN
ate to visit Cuba and report upon the
| conditions prevailing there The effort
on Mr.. Gallinger's part developed stern
resistance from Mr.. Hale and was the
| occasion of Il short explanation from
Mr.. Proctor
NICARAGUA CANAL BILL.
The senate then took up the Nicara-
! qua canal bill, and Mr.. Berry (Ark.)
| spoke upon his amendments to the
measure. He announced primarily that.
on general principles, he was favorable
to the construction OF a canal across
! the isthmus, and that he had been
| so for many years, because he had felt
! that such an enterprise would promote
the interests Of the Southern states,
but always contended for it's construc-
| ton by the government of the United
| States.
He did not commit himself to vote
for the bill, even If his amendments
were acceuted, but would determine
that question when the vote was reach
! ed.
Mr.. Berry then explained the pro-
| visions of his amendments.
Mr.. Allen (Neb.) followed Mr.. Berry.
He was not opposed to the canal
scheme, he said, because he opposed
certain features Of the measure. One
of its most pernicious features would
be eliminated by the adoption Of the
Berry amendments, namely the bond
feature. He was opposed to the provi-
sion for the adjustment of the claims
| Of the Maritime Canal company He
wanted the government protected from
all loss, all possible feuds ard all COM
bination with that company.
Mr.. Caffery Qa.), at the request of
Mr.. Turpie, who was unavoidably alb
| POSTPONE the consideration of the bill
until Jan. 10.
Mr.. Hoar said that he thought the
|