Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-09-11

Rcy and the ardor of contest always
clamors for victory, right or wrong.
CONGRESS ALONE is AUTHORIz-
ED TO DECLARE WAR, UNDER OUR
CONSTITUTION. Congress did de-
clare one war, but that was against
Spain. That war has long since been
closed by treaty of peace. A war de-
clared by nobody, but far greater IN It's
proportions than the Spanish war, stlll
goes on in its relentless career of blood
Dnd ruin. A whole nation OF innocent
people are being slaughtered, seeming
" because their total destruction is ne
cessary to the enjoyment of their pos
Bessions-possessio whose occupancy
by Americans is absolutely forbidden
by natures God. Why this war began
Is a mystery; when it shall end seems
to depend upon the discretion OF a
herveless President. Unless specially
called by the Executive, Congress can
not convene before next December. In
the meantime we shall continue to hear
but one side. On that side are SENSE
LESS APPEALS TO FALSE PRIDE
AND BRUTE FORCE-AS THAT THE
FLAG WHEREVER PLANTED
must WAVE FOREVER" ADMIT
THIS DOCTRINE, AND ENGLAND is
NOW THE LAWFUL OWNER OF
CUBA AND THE PHILIPPINE IS
LANDS, FOR SHE ONCE TOOK
THEM FROM SPAIN AND FLOATED
HER FLAG OVER BOTH-if taking a
single city means dominion over a con-
tinent. Admit the doctrine and we
must retake Mexico, Algiers and Can
ada. "Who will dare haul down the
American fiag?" That insolent and
lmpertinent question, entirely worthy
Df bully, will continue to vex the ear.
II these people are to be American
citizens, entitled to all the civil and
political rights given them by the con-
stitution, then the flag to them may be
b blessing. THE FLAG AND THE
CONSTITUTION, HOWEVER, MUST
go TOGETHER. Take away the free
Hom which the flag symbolizes, and ii
becomes a bloody rag, meaning moth
Ing better than conquest and slavery
For what purpose then are we con-
luering the Philippine people? And
bow are they to be governed when
passed under the yoke of subjugation
These are the great questions which
sooner or later we must solve for our
selves, and which the Philippine peo-
pie hSve propounded to our rulers, be-
ginning with the President and going
down to the captains of companies
whose only reply has been to NOV
Them down by thousands with the de-
structiye arms of modern science Shall
these people be citizens of the United
States, free to come and go from State
!. 10 State? Shall they be governed by
local legislatures of their own selec-
ton, represented in the Federal Con-
gress, and clothed with all the rights
bf American freemen? Tell them this
Ind the war will close in an hour. TIC
Tell them less is to deny the theory OF
bur own government, to subvert the
foundations of American liberty, and tc
enter upon system Of imperialism as
htal and as corrupting to the govern
ng power as is personal slavery to the
haster.
From these people we have concealed
The records of our political history. We
hide from ourselves, as we hide from
hem, the judicial interpretations of our
fwn constitution, and tell them with
lrazen front that the Declaration of In
dependence and the constitution itself
IRE but glittering generalities intended
lor the strong and not for the weak
Our Supreme Court, the authorized
Interpreter of our constitution, has said
"a power in the general government to
bbtain and hold colonies and dependent
territories over which they (the Con-
gress) might legislate without restric-
ion would be inconsistent with its own
Existence in its present form
In another case that court has said:
The power of Congress over the ter
itories is limited by the obvious pur-