Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-10
55th CONGRESS.
Senator Hoar Answers Sena-
tor Plat on Expansion.
in Violation Of the Constitution and
Declaration Of independence"
Plat Asserts That hoar's Doctrine Would
Have Killed the Colonies.

U0VV WsssS0 AUS OVsV"sSes
Washington, Jan. 9.-This proved to
be an interesting day in the Senate,
the principal subjects under discus
sion being the constitutional right Of
the United States to carry into effect
the policy of expansion.
The leading speaker was Mr.. Hoar
Rep, Mass, who delivered speech IN
support of the resolution introduced by
Mr.. Vest, Dem, Mo-, declaring II TO
be in opposition to the constitution for
this country to acquire foreign terri
tory to be governed permanently as
colonies. Although Mr.. Hoar occupied
the time of the Senate for more than
two hours. he was accorded the I'M
usual compliment Of close and undi-
vided attention by his colleagues on
the floor and large audience in the gall
leries.
He confined himself closely to his
manuscript but his address was de-
livered with all the fire. earnestness
and animation of the orator that he is.
Mr.. Hoar is a master of the subtleties
of the English language and rhetori-
cldIl uOldDiG anu HIS htCu
sarcasm and wit were thoroughly en-
joyed by his auditors.
His speech was in answer to that
recently delivered by Mr.. Platt. Rep,
CT, and had been most carefully pre-
pared. He took strong ground against
the position assumed by the Connecti-
cut senator. maintaining that it was IN
violation of the constitution and the
declaration of independence. the
great expounder of the constitution"
for this country to acquire foreign
territory to be held and governed as
colonies.
Mr. Plat. at the conclusion of Mr..
Hoar's address. briefly replied to
some points of the speech which had
been directed especially against him.
He reiterated his former statement
that the United States had power to
acquire and govern foreign territory
and declared that had this country
embraced the doctrines of Mr.. Hoar.
the Mayfiower would have been turned
back from Plymouth Rock and the
country would never have expanded TO
the Pacific coast.
Mr.. Caffery concluded his speech in
opposition to the Nicaragua canal bill
but an effort to fix time for vote
upon it failed.
Mitchell, Wis, reported from the
military affairs committee bill pro-
viding that all hOnorably discharged
soldiers and sailors who served in the
war of the Rebellion and the volunteer
soldiers and sailors of the war of 1872
and of the Mexican war and of the war
! with Spain who may be disabled in
any way shall be admitted into the
home for disabled volunteer soldiers.
1t was passed.
Pettus, Ala. reported from the judi
ciary committee bill to authorize the
revival of suits and actions COM
menced lawfully against officers of the
United States as such on the termina-
ton of the terms of such officers. and
at his request it was passed.
Without adverting to the proposed
policy of the United States entering
upon an expansion of its territory. ex-
cept in a general and indirect man
rer. Hoar entered upon a discussion OF
the constitutional phases of the ques-
ton involved in the resolution under
consideration, prefacing his argument
with a statement of his personal posi-
ton ON the subject.
81 am quite sure" said he. in begin
ming, that no man who will hear what
/ say today. will doubt that nothing
could induce me to say it, but COM
manding sense of public duty, ! dis
like to differ from the President.
whose election / hailed with such per-
sonal satisfaction and such exulting
anticipations of the republic. / dislike
to differ from so many OF my party
associates in this chamber, with whom
have for SO many many years trod
the same path and sought the same
goal.
II am one of those men who believe !
that little that is great or good or
permanent for free people can be ac-
without the instrumental
ity of party. And l have believed re-
ligiously, and from my soul. for half a
century. in the great doctrines and !
principles of the Republican party. l
stood in humble capacity by. it's !
cradle. do not mean. if can help 1t,
to follow it's hearse.
IL am sure i render it service.
am sure l help to protect and to pro-
long the life of that organization. II |
/ can say or can do anything to keep |
it from forsaking the great principles |
and doctrines in which alone il mus. |
live or bear no life.
Il am to speak for my country. for |
its whole past, and for it's whole fu- !
ture. | am to speak to a people whose
fate is bound up in the preservation
of our great doctrine of constitutions.
i am to speak for the dead
soldier who gave his life for liberty
that his death might set a seal upon
his country's historic glory. am
to speak for the Republican party. all !,
Of whose great traditions are at stake,
and all of whose great achievements
are in peril.
Certainly. Mr.. President. no man
can ever justly charge me with lack
of faith in my countrymen, or lack
of faith in the principles on which the
republic is founded. ] nave in the
fullest measure that which stands as
the central figure in the mighty group
which the apostle says Is forever to
1 thank God that as my
eyes grow dim they look out on
fairer country, better people. a
brighter future.