Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-11


temporarily. This was a great step in ad-
vance since the days Of Jefferson, and in
asmuch as it made the concession it was
of no practicable Importance
On the other hand, the resolution involved
a theoretical question of vast importance
To adopt the resolution was to declare that
our fathers had brought forth nation that
was inferior to all other nations, regardless
of the generally accepted theory that one
nation was equal to another and all equally
unrestricted. Among the powers of ma
tionality are the powers to make war and
to make treaties. This is an inherent rlght
of nationality, and the government of the
United States has the same power that all
other governments have. Our prerogatlve
is as great as that of Great Britain.
1t being true that We have the power TO
make war and to enter into treaty agree
ments. we logically have the power to ac-
quire territory by conquest or otherwise,
and to inherit ali the consequences that
may accrue through war. He quoted Chief
Justice Marshall to sustain his position.
ccntending that the chief justice mad sald
the United States had not only the right TO
acquire. but also the right to govern terri
tory so acquired.
Mr.. Bacon called attention to the fact
that the territory under consideration bS
the chief justice Florida, which was
contiguous and having population homo
geneouS with our own.
Mr.. Foraker said that while tins state
ment as to the location of the territory was
true. as a matter of fact Justice MarShaii
had not found it necessary to point out
this fact His utterance had been clear cut
and without qualification, and 1t was evil
dent from this quotation that the fathers
of the American republic had not meant
to create nation inferior to other nations
in power. Mr. Foraker also quoted Justice
Bradley il Utah case, involving the ques-
ton of pOlygamy. in which the justice sald;
at would be absurd to say that nation
has power to acquire territory and not the
power to govern it.
This was a late decision on the same lines
as that of Chief Justice Marshall in the
early days Of the republic. Such being the
authorities what ground, he asked have
the supporters of the resolution to stand
upon. Mr. Vest had contended in his speech
that history was against the assumption or
power of this country to establish colonial
governments. and that the character of our
war for independence demonstrated that
the men of that day would not have coun-
tenanced such a proceeding. On the con-
t1ary Mr. Foraker held that there was no
complaint in revolutionary times of CO.
lonial policy.
There We're many complaints on other
scores but none on this, that it must
be assumed that they had no such objection
as the Missouri senator had contended. On
the contrary, there were indications that
they had in mind the possibility of the ac-
QUESTION of territory. and Mr.. Foraker
quoted from Mr.. Governeur Morris letter
to MIR. Livingston. in which he said that
the United States were destined to control
the whole of the territory of North Ameri-
ca.
Canada's Consent Not Asked.
Mr.. President" said Mr.. Foraker. after
quoting from Governor Morris at length,
there is a marked difference between a
Trainer of the Constitution and inter-
prefer of it"
Mr. Plat Comm called attention to
article of the treaty of France with the
United States. Withdrawn by Benz. Frank
lin, which provided that if Canada should
faf,r lined hy- he nit at
be dependent upon this country.
Yes said Mr.. Foraker. and nothing is
said about the consent of the Canadians,
either"
In reply to a question by Mr.. Allen (NebD
Mr.. Foraker declared that in every instance
where the United States acquired territory
the Constitution of the United States was
extended over it, and that all legislation
provided by Congress for such acquired
territory must be and always is distinctly
in accordance with the Constitution.
Mr.. Tillman IS. c. inquired of Mr.. For
aker whether any of the states could dis
against a territory on account
of the color or previous condition of its
inha bitants
piled Mr.. Foraker. When it arises we
shau meet it | wish some of the states
that DO discriminate were outside and we
had a trial of the question now" Great
laLghterD
Replying to Mr. Vest
the argument of Mr.. Vest (MoJ in support
OF the resolution in which he based his
statements upon the Dred-Scott decision.
He analysed the decision. showing that
OF the court did not support the
position with reference to the ACQUISITION
ana government of territory Mr. Vest said
1t did, and really only one of the asso-
Giatr justices stood squarely with Chief
Justice fancy in support of the fun force
of the decision.
Replying to Senator Hoar.
In beginning a discussion of the sneecb
Of Mr.. Hoar, Mr.. Foraker said: II listen
ed, as / always DO listen, to the speech of
the senator from Massachusetts 1t was a
speech Of great ability and power. such as
ne always delivers, but when ii is reduced
IL amounts only to this, that the govern
ment OF the United States has ONLY the
power to acquire territory for constitu-
tionaI purposes, and to what those cor
st1tuuCnal purposes are The senator from
shall be the sole ana ex-
elusive judge"
Mr.. Foraker's remarks brought Mr., Hour
out Tor a further explanation of his posj-
lon Rising, he interrupted the Ohio sena-
tof' saying: III We thought it necessary
ior our national defense to annex an QUE
lying territory. and if the people of thai
territory objected to our ACQUISITION of II
L should consider the subjugation of il as
d great national crime, to be repudfatcd ana
= CiiieAHlltu' ana L should say the l'nired
states would better go down beneath the
waters OF the Pacific in honor ather than
dlserace itself by such action
MI Hoat said he did not mean to saw
that a great continent upon which roaued
Few thousand saVages having no govern
ment and being incapable of government
should be passed by, or that civilization
should stop at its threshold.
MIR. Foraker repudiated the conclusions
reached by Mr. Hoar.
AS / now understand the senator from
husetts,' said Mr. Foraker the
march of civilization ought not to be stop-
ped for lack Of consent. The march of the
French across tbs dark continent and of
the British to Fashoda is not then to be in
MIR. Foraker maintained that the govern
ment of the United States had ample power
to acquire territory by treaty and he de-
Tnanded 10 know of Mr. Hoar if he did not
think territory so acquired was acquired
corstitutionally.
;5r. Allen Takes the Floor
Mr.. Foraker closed at 2:45 pm, and Mr..
Allen took the floor to discuss legal fea-
lures of the acquisition of the Philippines.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
The Speaker laid before the House today