The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-02-07
Senator Lodge on Expansion

Senator Lodge on Expansion.
In another column we quote from a
recent speech on expansion by SENATOR
Lodge of Massachusetts. 1t is strong
and fervid in its oratory and comes
from the most erudite and scholarly
man in either branch of congress.
Perhaps no other living man has
given such close and careful study to
the beginnings of our republic and its
early history than has Senator Lodge
In these days when we are continually
barking back to the trainers of the con-
stitution it is we'll to study the opinion
of one who has made the work of these
great men a life study.
For the benefit of our free silver
friends who have been worshipping at
the shrine of Senator Teller of Colorado
we would point out to them that he is
one of the friends of the presidents
foreign policy. In the senate chamber
last Tuesday Senator Teller made an
exhaustive speech which completely
answered the arguments of those who
clam that the possession of the Philip
pines by the United States will give the
natives all the rights of our citizenship
and that it is contrary to the constitu-
ton to hold these islands except as
corporate parts of the republic. 1t was
this argument that Senator Teller un-
dertook to refute. He called up an ar
ray of facts that are unanswerable by
those who are setting up the cry that
the republic is in danger ii we have
colonial possession and who shed hypo.
critical tears while asking you want
these Malay heather to vote? The
senator also delivered body blow to
the appeal that we cannot govern with
out the consent of the governed.
Senator Teller's speech was made up
almost entirely of quotations from
previous actions OF congress. He first
pointed out that when we purchased
Louisiana and established our govern
ment there we did not take that rich
territory into complete or even partial
brotherhood, neither did we ask the
consent of the governed. We simply
purchased the territory and then abso-
lutte power was gwen to Thomas Jeffer-
son to appoint some one-a dictator, if
you pleass-to act as governor, legisla-
ture and have complete control of the
territory.
Later, the United States purchased
Florida, again it assumed control with.
out consent of the governed and again
the absolute governmental power wa
given to one man-Andrew jackson
AS these possessions grew III popula
ton act after act Of congress was pass
ed extending to them different right.
guaranteed by the constitution. SHOW
ing clearly that, the mere annexatlol
DID NOT give these people fellowship ii
the republic.
Again through the Mexican war W,
expanded, acquiring Vast territory, !
large part OF when was hostile to til,
United States, and though the peop
were fewer in numberdhey were just a
bitterly opposed to annexation as al
the Filippnos.
In the purchase of Alaska the co..
sent of the governed was not asked, an
no one claims that tue natives are citl
zens of the United States any ii or
than are the Indians Oh Tie Tam
) reservation.
Senator Teller has. we think, take
the last prop away from those oppose
to the possession OF the Philippine
from constitutional reasons. AS sens
tor Lodge wisely says the question nol
is not what shall we do with the island
but shall the treaty with Spain he rat
fed? The question of future polio
must come after and lot before the RAJ
ificatiOn OF the treaty.
No nation ever Iecuperated taste
than has the United States III the tw