Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-01-11

each amendment
At the beginning of Tuesdays ses-
sion of the Senate. Chandler introduce
ed Senate resolution for the distri-
button of the appropriation bills. He
stated that the text Of the resolution
was the same as that now before the
Senate committee on rules. He there
fore asked that the present resolution
be placed on the calendar. stating that
either he or Carter would move TO take
it up at an early day.
The Senate passed bill authorizing
the secretary of agriculture to prepare
a report showing the average fluctua-
tion from year to year Of farm pro-
ducts.
Mason. H., took the floor for his
announced speech upon his resolution
declaring that all just, powers of the
government are derived drom the con-
sent of the governed and that the
United States will make no attempt to
govern any people against their will.
In the course Of his speech Mason
said:
For over 100 years every lover of
liberty has pointed to this sentence of
the declaration of independence:
That all just powers of government
are derived from the consent of the
SoverneI,' as Il reason for their fight
for liberty. This sentence has been Il
pillar of fire by night and has stirred
the hearts OF the oppressed all over the
world. In the light of this sentence
crowns have fallen into dust. and the
foundation of republics have been laid.
You ask for expansion. See how we
have expanded in the time since this
sentence was written. Not only have
republics started up in place of monar-
chies. but monarchies have themselves
gradually broadened into constitution
al governments. getting nearer and
nearer to the voice of the people. Our
own was the first great republic and
in the better and broader sense our
flag floats from the dome of every re-
public.
The other day the distinguished
senator from Massachusetts asked the
senator from Connecticut (PlatD what
he was going to do with the sentence
that all just powers of government
are derived from the consent of the
consent of some of the governed.
''Mr. President. when any great
cause which is agitating the minds OF
the people needs for its defense such
shallow and un-American evasions as
this that cause will not live long In
the minds Of intelligent people.
The Filipino is beginning to treat
with us as his own land. He ac-
our gallant service. There
is no honest commercial treaty that an
honest nation could not ask that they
are not willing to consent to. They
want liberty as we did and when TO-,
100000 people have heard their cry for
mercy and independence, the father in
New England will plead for the father
in Manila; the mother in Illinois will
pray for the poor mother in the islands
of the sea; the fathers will vote as the
mothers pray: the proper views of sell
fishness will have had it's run, and God
help the party that urges war on the
natIve who defends only his liberties
and his home.
'1Ah, Mr.. President, have we got to
fight and plead for these people as we
did for Cuba? Are we to hear Aguin-
aldo and his followers called robbers
and cut throats, as we heard of the
brave Garcia and his followers within
the last 12 months in this chamber?
Why not make them our friends for
ever, instead of our enemies. Why
stingily withhold the jewel of inde
pendence; why not finish this war as
we begun it. for humanity's sake?
Why not with q free and open hand
give to them what we have promised
TO give Cuba? Then I'VE have kept our
promise; then we have bound them to
us by band stronger than steel. and
then we can answer the ISLANDERS of
who call us landgrabbers
While Mason was discussing the
statement of the possible bombardment
If lloi!o, which he said it was currently
reported was in contemplation. Gallin-