The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-13
THE COLONIAL SYSTEM
1T Is AN APPENDAGE OF MON
ARCHY.
IT DESTROYED HE RE~UtLIC OF ROM
Fantastic and Wicked Attempt to Pevoutionize
our Government. Mr.. Morgan's Ap.
peal for Nicaragua anal Bill.
Anti exp pans,on Resolutions.

Anti expansion Resolutions.
Washington, Dec. 12.-Discussion of
two questions, each of interest and inn
portance at this time, was begun by the
Senate at its session today Territorial
expansion and the construction of the
Nicaraguan Canal occupied the body dur
ing the greater part of the afternoon.
AS soon as the routine morning busi-
ness had been disposed of Mr.. Vest Dem.
of Missouri called up his resolution, of
fered last week, declaring it to be uncon-
stitutional for this Government TO ac-
quire foreign territory except for coaling
stations or some like purpose, unless its
intention was to confer statehood upon
the territory and citizenship upon its in-
habitants. Mr.. Vest declared that 1t was
Il basic principle of this Government
that 1.-THE powers of the Government
We're derived from the consent of the
governed" and maintained that the Fed
eral Government had no authority either
in morals or in the Constitution TO so
beyond that principle. He held that the
principle had been sustained by the SUI
preme Court in various decisions and
that no public man of prominence and
no recognized tribunal had been reckless
enough to controvert it, until within the
last six months. when the craze of eX-
pansion seems to have taken possession
of the American people.
Mr.. Vest thought it was the purpose of
the eXpansionists to adopt the European
svstom of colonization. He pointed out
that Great Britain had in the mother
country 120979 square miles of terri
tory and in her colonies 16,661.0I1 square
miles. The disproportion Of population
was about the same.
Mr.. Vest maintained that the funda-
mental principle of this Government was
the granting of citizenship to all within
the jurisdiction of the Government. ex-
cept to the Indians. He did not believe
that anybody would be reckless enough
TO say that Thomas Jefferson, who pen
ned f.le words ..all Governments derive
their just powers from the consent OF
the governed" was not accurate in the
light of our Constitution.
In the act of the cession of the terri
torv of Louisiana from France to the
United States is found q provision that
the inha bitants. as soon as possible, shall
be made citizens of the United States
and the territory Of Louisiana be made
State of the Union. So it was, de-
clared Mr.. Vest. when Florida was ac-
ouired from Spain and when Alaska was
obtained from Russia.
when. where. how" he asked. 'haye
we surrendered the great power that this
is Il Confederation of States? | cannot
conceive it to be possible to point out
other form of government under the
Constitution"
Mr.. Vest declared that the United
States Supreme Court had settled that
question for all time. Mr.. Vest maintain
ed that the overwhelming argument of
the expansionists was that the Constitu-
ton applies alone to the States of the
Union In favor of what he termed
this monstrous proposition" he said the
expansionists 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 the dominant issue. Mr.. Cal
houn had maintained that inasmuch as
slavery was recognized by the Federal
Constitution its extension into the terri
tories acquired by the Union of States
was constitutional. Then was that Mr..
Webster had declared that the Constitu-
tion applied to the States alone.
ITO say" declared Mr. Vest. ''that
citizens of territory are excluded from
the privileges gained by the bill Of rights
and are merely the subjects of the ar
bitrary will of Congress. is a monstrous
proposition; but fortunately the Supreme
Court has determined that question in
many cases"
Il do not DENY" continued Mr.. Vest.
'thc power of the Federal Government
to acquire territory, but | do deny its
power to acquire territory peopled with
millions without their consent and with
no intention Of comforting upon them
citizenship. I may be answered that the
point is not good. that it may be evaded
by the taking of vast tracts Of lands
peopied with barbarians to be held merely
for commercial advantages. When the
Congress Of the United States shall be-
come so degraded rs this it is only a
.npestion Of time until the end shall
come
''We are great people." concluded
Mr.. Vest I'VE are told that this coun-
try can do anything, Constitution or no
Constitution. We are n great people it
is true. 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 aalIeys The colo
mini system DESTROYED all hope OF Repub-
licanisn in the old time. 1t is an ap-