Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-01-13
Mr.. MASON'S SPEECH
The Illinois Statesman Delivers a
Notable Speech in the Senate.
AGAINST HOLDING THE PHILIPPINES.
a Limitation Agreed to In the Debate on
the Nicaragua Canal Bn-Alaskan
Bill Nearly Completed by
the House.

l.
son. of Illinois. occupied the atten ton
OF the senate for nearly IL hours yes
terday with a speech in support of his
resolution declaring that the United
States will never attempt to govern
the people of any country without
their consent In many respects the
speech was one of the most notable
utterances in the senate thus far this
ses siOn. Several times spontaneous
applause swept over the galleries, but,
under the stringent rules of the senate,
1t was quelled quickly. 1t was several
minutes after the conclusion of the
speech before the senate could proceed
with its business on account of the
confusion incident to the congratula-
tions which many Of Senator Mason's
colleagues fastened to extend to him.
He said in brief:
It is easy to drift with the tide, but it is not
always safe The simple resolution have in
troduced has nothing necessarily to do with
any treaty, nor do intend to speak OF any pro-
posed treaty The resolution does not involve
q question of law, but is question as to the
future policy OF this republic. I am willing to
trust the people, and want the people to hear
both sides OF the case before the verdict is rem
dered.
Distinguished editors and statesmen say the
republican party favors governing certain
VINO dareS speak In advance for the party that
speaks only in its conventions? That party
Sprang like q young giant from the womb of
conscience and made its first fight for human
liberty 1t has never bowed to the stork of
exPedfency, and. If may be allowed to proph-
esy, predict that, when the delegates will go
In again, the rafters will ring again and again
when they demand the independence for the
citizen of the Philippines that they did two
years ago for Cuba
may appear to speak one word for the Phil
tepines. but two for my own people, when
plead for the broad manhood of the man who
wrote, ''AlI just powers OF government de-
rived from the consent of the governed.' You
cannot govern the Philippines Without taxing
them You have not yet their consent and
the proposition of taxation without representa-
ton is made again. Look out for tea parties;
those little Semi-Social functions are likely to
break out even there for Hail, Columbia"
and Yankee Doodle have been heard in the
archipelago
tor z4om Massachusetts Hoar) asked the SEN
ator from Connecticut (2latt) what he was GO
ing to do with this sentence, that 'tall just
powers of government are derived from the
consent of the governed, - he answered, from
the consent of some of the governed
Mr.. President, when any great cause, which
is agitating the minds of the people, needs for
its defense such shallow and un-American.
evaSfonS this, that cause will not live long
in the minds of intelligent people We cannot
amend that sentence now, and when we all
shall have moldered in forgotten dust this SEN
tence will live and continue to burn, meHace
to tyrants and beacon of hope to the down
trodden and the oppressed.
The Filipino is begging to treat with US as to
his own land; he acknowledges our gallant
services; there is no honest commercial treaty
that an honest nation could ask that they
not willing to consent to. They want liberty
we did, and when 10000, 600 people have
heard their cry for mercy and independence
the father in New Eng land will plead for the
father Illinois
pray for the poor mother in the islands of the
sea; the fathers will vote the mothers pray;
the poisoned views of selfshness will have
hadfts run, and God help the party that urges
war on the native who defends only his liber-
ties and ais home
All Mr. President, have we got to fight and
plead for these people as we did for Cuba? Are
We to hear Aguinaldo and his followers called
robbers and cut hroats as we heard of the
brave &arcia and his followers within the last
II months in this chamber? Why not make
them our friends forever instead of our enc
mics? Why Stingfly withhold the jewel Of in
dependence? Why not finish thislwar, as we
beganJit, for humanitys sake? Why not. with
free and open hand, give to them what we
have promised to give to Cuba?
Thank God believe the crisis is past The
people have been dashed into fury by the press,
the glorious achievements of our army and
navy have set the national pulse beating high,
but the land grabbing fever is gradually reced-
ing and the unnaturally un-A american desire to
govern another without his consent, thank
God, is not so strong to-day as it was few
days since.
Once Senator Mason was interrupted
by Senator Tillman. Senator Mason
had said that war with the Filipinos
was likely within ten days. Senator
Tillman inquired: 81 want to know by
what authority the president will be-
gin that war. Until the treaty of
peace has been ratified and the cession
of the Philippines is completed, does
not the protocol stand?"
Senator Mason-'T SO understand
it"
Senator Ti1lman-"Can the president
fire a single gun in such a war until
this congress shall have taken action
legally, 1 mean?"
Senator Mason-"1 do not think So"
While Senator Mason was discussing
Enlightenment of the possible lombard
ment of Iloilo, which he said it was
currently reported was in conte1apla-
ton, Senator Gallinger said, as Senator
Mason's statement was very serious,
be would like to know upon what in
formation it was based.
81 have some information" replied
the Illinois senator, (which l cannot
here and now communicate to the sem
ate. What I have said, however, is
reported and has been, day after day.
in the dispatches of the Associated
press"
At the request of Senator Morgan
the senate unanimously agreed to the
limitation of the debate on the Mica
raguacanal bill to 15-minute speeches
after three o'clock next Tuesday.
Senator Turley was then recognized
to speak on the Nicaragua canal bill
He announced himself as an advocate
Of canal. but said that he was op-
posed to the pending bill He based
his objections largely upon the fact
that the Clay ton-Brlwer treaty is IN