Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-03

from the position and tenetS of our
forefathers. l answer, No. We are
simply rising to the new conditions
that surround us. The telegraph, the
railroad, and the countless inventions
of the present. long ago made the de-
parture. Westward the star of en-
pire takes it way has been the motto
of our nations development. 1t has
been the guiding star of our civilza-
ton. Who shall say that it has set
forever? That it shall ne'r again
shine forth to guide us onward to
higher and grander destinies? Who
shall say that it has been blotted from
the armament and its place forgotten
among men?
Not Dependent Upon Constitution.
But we hear it claimed that the ac-
QUESTION of the Philippines under the
treaty of Paris is unconstitutional. The
right to acquire territory is not de-
pendent upon the constitution. The
nation. irrespective of its form of COY
eminent or internal laws, is endowed
with all the attributes of sovereignty.
1t stands upon the same footing as the
other nations of the world. And while
great constitutional constructionists
are discussing the constitution. and
what we will do with territory after it
is acquired, the nation,in the exercise Of
its sovereignty. and under the peerless
and statesmanlilse leadership of Will
lam Mckinley is moving forward
But the constitution is not suscepti-
BILE of any such forced and narrow
construction. 1t was not intended for
wise within which to hold and
strangle a growing and progressive
people. 1t was not written for three
millions of people, but for all the mil
lions that should come under its pro-
lection. 1t was not purposed for one
day, but for all time. Those who are
seeking to interpose as barrier to
progress, and stumbling block for
the administration, have advanced
nothing new by way of arguments.
They have simply. disinterred them
from the tombs of buried fallacies to
act as "goblins damned" in this hour
of our nations crisis. The constitu-
ton as written, was simply frame to
serve as the enclosure and guide for
the progress and possibilities of the
future--conditioned to the character
and fashioned to the necessities of a
people where Destiny led. The con-
stitution of today is the product, not
alone OF those who originally drafted
it, hut of the thought and patriotism
and craftsmanship and genius of a
century of national life. 1t possesses
that inherent vitality, that life-giving
force, that susceptibility for growth
that will make it in the future as in
the past, the safeguard and .inspira-
ton for the nations truest hopes and
nublest purposes.
have no patience with that class OF
political infidels that is constantly de-
nying the true faith of our republican
Institutions. Neither can I tolerate
the morbid sentiment that our people,
the ultimate source of all authority,
the people, who achieved their own in
dependence by the arbitrament of
arms, the people, who have maintain
ed it in peace and war. the people, who
have etaancipated an enslaved race,
and for over century stood as the
apostles of liberty throughout the
world, will now turn despot or tyrant
over any PEOPLE.
The Destiny Of War.
When the insurrection now being
waged in the Philippines is put down
as it must surely be-the Filipinos will
be given such form of government as
their intelligence and condition will
justify, and such asa great and free
people deem just and proper. The
right Of consent is always dependent
on the power or ability to consent. So
firmly is this principle established
~ its eli 10 {ot -,
conclusive argument.
The question of the form of govern
ment. or the method by which we will
exercise contIol over the Filipinos is
not no pertinent. 1t can be commits
ted with safety to the wisdom, the pa
triotisln. the craftsmanship of the fu-
ture. When the time comes it will be
solved Alright, as every other great
question has been in the past.
Tt is not now material what may
have been our individual opinions
heretofore. The uncomfortable desti-
ny of war and logic of events, have
placed these islands and this unfortu-
nate people under our control and pro-
lection. We are confronted with re-
sponsibility and must meet it bravely,
and as becomes our traditions and his
tory. The backward STEP has never
been popular with the American peo-
pie. Now and then the timorous
warnings of the craven have sounded
forth in discordant cadence, only to be
drowned by the steady tread of the
forward march," coupled with the
shouts and hallelujahs of a victorious
and courageous people. We cannot
forget that this contest, commenced
at the demand and with the approval
of the whole people, is now sacred
with the blood of American citizens.
After the battle of Issos, when Alex>
ander the Great met with his chief
tains and soldiers to celebrate the vic.
tory, ere he seated himself at the ban,
quet board he asked, "Are all here who
fought at Issos?' And Cliffs answer
ing him, said, '.All, Alexander, all save
those who fell" "'rhen ALL" replied
Alexander, fall are here who fought
at Issos, for the glorious dead live al
ways in our memory
Heroes Are Not Forgotten.
And so today as we meet to review
these events, i ask are all here who
fought on Cuban soil? Are all here
who have stood beneath the starry
banner in Luzon? Are all here who
rode the oceans waves and sank in
everlasting lapfhS of defiant tho opna