The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-07


would be most unwise."
Senator Daniel also attacked the
plan Of acquisition as unwise strategi-
cally. A separate navy would be nee
essary and we should have to fortify
each of the 1900 islands. This meant
millions upon millions of expense and
an era Of militarism of the United
States. The policy now proposed to be
entered upon was a call to arms. A big
standing army would be the inevitable
result.
Senator Daniel could see no reason
for annexation. Certainly there was no
manifestation of friendship for the peo-
pie of the Philippines in taking them
in. He did not accept the theory that it
would be pleasanter to the Philippines
to be eaten UP by the big American
nation than by any other outside peo-
pie.
Senator Daniel said he never had
heard the Declaration of independence
or the constitution run down and mini
fled so much as it had in this debate.
In view Of the statements made one
might be inclined to think it was not
much of a declaration or Of a consti-
tuition after all. He had never ex-
pected to be called upon to defend the
Declaration of independence in this
hail., but he felt bound to do so now.
In the course of that defense he said
the Declaration of Independence had
done more to mould American institu-
tons and to swing back our affairs
when they went wrong than any other
American utterance.
Senator Daniel defended the taking
and holding of Porto Rico, which he
held was n of the natural outpost
of this country. But, he maintained if
there was a necessity for the taking
of the Philippines nobody has men
toned it. He declared that through
all the speeches in favor Of the treaty
there runs a vein of d%istrust. We are
urged to wait until the treaty is rati-
fled before adjusting a policy for the
islands, but the policy, he maintained,
was wrapped up in the treaty.
Further along he declared it was not
a question of hauling down the Amer
lean flag. That flag was not a fix
ture in the Philippines. Once the treaty
is ratified, however, the American flag
staff would sink to the center of the
earth in those islands and the stars
as they broke to the breeze would rise
until they mingled with the stars of
heaven.
Senator Daniel asserted that the
ratification of the treaty would multi
fly our immigration laws, would admit
to this country as citizens under the
constitution inhabitants of the Phil
ippine Stands and put the people and
products of the island in direct and
unrestricted competition with our own
goods and working men.
After quoting at great length from
authorities in support Of his cOnten-
ton, Senator Daniel urged the senate
not to deceive itself or attempt TO
deceive the American people about the
treaty. It's ratification, he declared,
meant the utter destruction of all tariff
laws between US and the Philippines;
the destruction of all immigration laws
relating to the United States and the
Philippines and accorded to the Ash
atics, Negritos, Malays and other in
habitants of the islands the right to
come into the labor markets of the
United States on exactly the same
footing and under the same protection
as those enjoyed by American work.
ing men.
Senator Daniel, after reviewing the
kind of people to be found in the Phil
ippines, said the American people were
now being asked to annex a witch's
cauldron. I'VE are asked said he, "to
annex not only the cauldron, but it's
contents
Black spirits and white, blue spirits
and gray,
Mingle, mingle, mingle We who may.
luSIS dIC IlOl lOIlS Tic IllilpplIlOS,
but the Negritos, Malays and all the
concentration of hues and colors.
There are people black and white, blue,
brown and gray. There are even spot
ted people and a kind that 1 never
never heard of-striped. AT the close
of a righteous and glorious war we are
to take them in and ordain them with
the oil of American citizenship. Not in
a thousand years, though he, could we
raise the Philippines to the level Of
this country's citizenship. At the mo-
ment the treaty was ratified, the his
torian would chronicle the beginning
of the decline of the greatness of
America.
This country stands today the fore
mots nation of the world. Let her tread
with sure and steady step, along her
own highways, respecting master and
man. Let her to the tempter of expan-
sion today say as He who stood upon
the Mount said, whom the glories of
the earth were stretched before Him:
Get thee behind me satan.'
AT the conclusion of Senator Dan
iel's speech, which had occupied three
hours and a half, the senate at $40
p. m. went into executive session n
soon afterward adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Most of the time of the house during
the three hours session today was
consumed in flibustering against re-
lief bills on the private calendar. The
filibustering was finally successful and
the house adjourned without taking up
the bills.
The conference report on the diplo-
matte appropriation bill was adopted.
The house adjourned at 3 o'clock for
want of a quorum.
Terrible Gas Explosion