The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-21

WASHINGTON. Jan. 2o.-The Senate
was i'm session for five hours and half
to-day. but the session was practically
barren Of results.
Mr. Nelson (Rep. of Minnesota spoke
I'm opposition TO Vests antl-eXpansloh
resolution and Mr.. White Democrat
made a personal explanation of his posi-
ton with respect to the instructions
given the California Senators by the
legislature Of that state as TO voting
on the pending peace treaty.
Mr. Nelson's address was a constitu-
| tional argument in support Of the right
OF the United States government to ac-
! quire and govern foreign territory. lie
! maintained that was no longer an unset
| tied question that this country nad the
! power not only to acquire foreign terri
I tory by discovery, conquest or trea'y'
hut also TO govern territory so acquired.
| That question, he said. had been settled
/ bv decision OF the Supreme Court, ana
/ was scarcely open 20 doubt. lie referred
to the territory that had been acquired
i'm the past by the United states gov
! ernment and declared that I'm no single
case had the people Of the territory ac-
quired been consulted and their consent
required
NOT THE ONLY ONES.
In the course Of this debate he said the
contention was being maintained that
the people Of the territory proposed TO
be acquired were not fit for citizenship
I'm our republic.
Admitting that that contention was
| correct. # was quite as true that the peo-
pie Of much territory hitherto acquired
by this country We're unfit for citizenship
i nj the time the territory was taken into
the Union. Had we applied the reasoning
that was now being advanced against
the acquisitios Of territory TO the people
OF Florida and the Louisiana territory
when they were admitted into the United
states. they scarcely could have passed
| muster. as Il was well known that they
were not fitted for citizenship.
Mr. Nelson then entered upon an Ella
borate constitutional argument, citing
numerous authorities IN support OF his
position.
He maintained that the arguments that
/ taxation without representation was
tyranny and that governments derive
their Just powers from the consent or the
governed were true only I'm limited
extent 4 majority of our people, he
said. were without direct representation
Women. minors and imbeciles were with
out representation I'm our government and
had TO bear their share OF taxation.
A BRITISH PRODUCT.
In response TO a question by Mr. Mason
(of Illinos). Mr. Nelson said that no man
could say truthfully that the rights Of
Englishmen had been destroyed. or even
in any sense impaired by Great Britain's
| great scheme of colonization. Further
replying 20 Mr.. Mason, he declared that
the United States. our own magnificent
Government, was the product Of the colo
nizatiOn plans of Great Britain, and de-
manded to know whether Mr.. Mason
would desire 20 blot out that great work
Of England.
Mr.. Tnlman (of North Carolina) inter-
rupted Mr. Nelson, and. referring 10 the
contest between Sweden and Norway
and the practical severence Of their re-
I lations inquired why the Norwegians at
home wanted liberty. while those Of the
United States do not desire to give lib
erty TO the Philippines. This reference to
Mr.. Nelson's Norwegian birth aroused
him.
81 am a citizen Of the United States
Mr. President" he replied. II am not
representing either the people or the gov
erument OF Norway whose rights and
liberties. I am satisfied, are greater than
those Of the people Of South Carolina -
daughter
A MODERN JUDAS.
In his discussion Of the situation OF
the Philippines. when Admiral Dewey
arrived at Manila on the memorable first
OF May, Mr.. Nelson pointed out that the
islancors were in state OF practical
slavery under the dominion OF Spain.
Agunaldo had abandoned them, he said,
on the payment 10 him by Spain or a
paltry 'tnirty piece Of silver" which In
this case was 20 be $780, 600, half OF which
amount the insurgent leader had already
received. He was 10 leave the people and
leave the country TO the tender mercies
OF Spanish cruelties. Mr.. Nelson main
tanned that IL would be the acme OF
cruelty. for the United States govern
rnent to despoil the Filipinos in this time
OF their need I'VE are there" he said,
''tc give them just. free and good gov
eminent and 10 keep them out OF the
clutches Of the great Powers OF the
earth. II is our duty thus to protect
them and II would be the highest cruelty
for the United States 10 leave them at
the mercy OF any powers who might
choose 20 attack them"
Mr.. Tillman called attention to Mr..
Nelson's use Of the word slave" In his
reference 10 the Filipinos and asked TIE
latter II he appreciated that those people
were OF the same class as those slaves
whose rule and domination. Mr.. Nelson
and his narty associates had forced upon
the white people OF the South.
MR.. TILLMAN'S OBJECTION.
"You are undertaking" said Mr. TIL
man, "to annex and make a component
part OF this governmest ten millions OF
the colOred race one half or more, who
are barbarians OF the lowest type. 1t Is
but the injection into the body polite OF
| ths United States of that vitiated blood
THAI debased ignorant people that We OBJ
jsct to-"
At this point, the hour of O'Clock ar.
| rived and the chair laid before the Sen,
, | ate the Nicaraguan canal bill. Mr. Nor
| gan after some persuasion yielded 70 1er
nit Mr. Nelson to conclude his speech.
After the Minnesota Senator had pro
ceeded for a time. he was again inter
, rupted by Mr. Tillman. whereupon Mr.
Morgan complained that Mr.. Nelson was
not justified In permitting Interruptions
, | when holding the floor by courtesy In the
1 .fu.. - the canal Comuatffaa I.vtdeut