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-
stitntion 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 president g
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 I'M
l n TO rae, fn In, 1o1
ray of facts that are unanswerable by
those who are setting up the cry that
the republic is in danger it we have
colonial possession and who shed hypo-
critical tears le'asklng-do 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 pleas Ito 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 was
given to one man-AndreW Jackson.
AS these possessions grew in popula-
ton act after act Of congress was pass
ed extending TO them different rights
guaranteed by the constitution. SHOW
ing clearly that, the mere annexati0l
DID NOT give these people fellowship il
the republic.
Again through the Mexican war we
expanded, acquiring Vast territory, a
large part OF which was hostile TO Tie
United States, and though the people
were fewer in numberthey were just "a
bitterly opposed to annexation as an
the Fllippnos.
In the purchase of Alaska the co
sent of the governed was not asked, an,
no one claims that tie natives are citi
zens Of the United States any or
than are the Indians OH The Tam,
reservation.
Senator Teller has. we think, takei
the last prop away from those opposed
to the possession of the Philippine
from constitutional reasons. AS Sena
tor Lodge wisely says the question nov
is not what shall we do with the islands
but shall the treaty with Spain be rati
fed? The question OF future policy
must come after and lot before The RAJ
ificatiOn of the treaty.
Il No nation ever Iecuperated faster
fhun hac fbo JIpitad St.tae ~, tho tug,