The record-union., 1899-02-07


bate in open session. He said that he
had been opposed to the ratification of
the treaty and the annexation OF the
Philippine Islands, because these ISL
ands contained a population and peo-
pie who could not be assimilated into
our own population without degrading
the American people. He believed that
the adoption of the scheme of the treaty
ratification would be more disastrous
to this country than anything which
has happened from the foundation of
the Government to the present hour.
Adverting to the remarks of Allen,
he said: ct thank the Senator from
Nebraska for stating our political diff
ferences, which are as far apart as the
poles. I belong to the conservative
Democracy, and would at all times OPP
pose, any measure that involved untold
woes to this country, as I believe this
treaty does. This question will not be
settled or dwarfed by my personal con-
siderations or feeling. Who is it in the
country that cares for me or for any
other man or for my aspirations or for
his? Yet the Senator from Colorado
CWolcott) made certain references to
German then quoted the following
statement in Wolcott's speech: "Yet
while this critical condition of affairs
exists it has become evident within the
last few days that certain political
leaders in this chamber believe that
new issue should be brought before the
American people to determine at the
next election. They intend that the
man who shall be called to pass on the
question arising out of the war and that
this shall be the issue of the next cam
paign.''
well, now he continued, Il suppose
that fair Judgment, charitable judg-
ment would enable me to say that the
Senator from Colorado of all the Sena-
tors on this floor would be the only one
capable of such an utterance while we
were considering such great ques-
ton"
At this point German was interrupt
ed by a man in the gallery who cried
out several times in a constantly in
creasing crescendo, What do you
mean, what do you mean?'
Confusion reigned on both sides of
the Senate and in the galleries for a
/
it was realized that the poor fellow
who caused the interruption was not
responsible for his utterances.
Resuming his speech, German said:
Aspirations of public men amount to
but little. That political desire for
preference of any man would control
his vote upon this treaty is inconceiv
able to me, and he who entertains such
an idea is on a very low plane in the
consideration of a measure so grave. I
have known gentlemen who float be-
tween parties, who have been strong
advocates of public questions and yet
support a party antagonistic to it. I
have seen statesmen who were wild
with the thought of free coinage of sill
yer. and yet who on every occasion
found strength and a resting place in
the Republican party and that party
believes in a single standard of that
metal. But want to disabuse the SEN
ator's mind of the false impression he
seems to have and those who have fol-
lowed him.
ION the Sd of March next, if I shall
be spared SO long. will have served
on this floor eighteen years. During
that whole term I do not believe that
I have ever uttered word that wound
ed the feelings of a brother Senator. I
do not believe could have been ca
pable at any time of attempting to af-
feet public questions by criticism of
the personal conduct or views of any
Senator"
German referred to the news which
had been flashed over the cable from
n, nil RI rr,-;,, :,
demanded to know who believed, if we
had made such a declaration regarding
the Philippines as we made concerning
Cuba, that the deplorable fight at Ma
Mia would have occurred. He expressed
the opinion that if the treaty was rati-
fled it would be the beginning of a
war which would cost US thousands of
lives and millions upon millions of
treasure.
TT will not be four years." declared
German, before our people will resent
this action. 1t is known now that
the people will resent it, and the au-
thorities are providing against that re-
sentiment by increasing the standing
army to 100000 men, not alone for SER
vice in our far away possessions, but
for service right here at home to police
our own country"
The Senate then went into executive
session, and, at 1925 p. M, resumed
legislative business in open session,
taking up the resolution offered earlier
in the day by McEnery.
Hoar proposed an amendment pro-
viding that the proposed Government
in the Philippines should be with the
consent of the people thereof
70, 10 fIc HI Id
40 to 81. Hoar then moved to amend
the resolution by inserting the words.
"Or to force a Government on them
against their will
Aldrich moved to lay the amendment
on the table, and the motion was car
ried-46 to 80
At the instance of Aldrich, the mo-
ton was amended in two or three
verbal particulars.
The word pending was struck out
of the resolution, as the treaty was
not then pending. In the fourth line
of the resolution, the word said was
struck out and the words 'the Philip
pines" inserted, so the resolution would
not include Porto Rico
Bacon of Georgia. then offered por-
ton of his resolution as an addition
to the McEnery resolution.
Vest inquired if the McEnery resolu-
ton did not exclude the idea that all
governments derive their just power
from the people, and the further idea
that the people of the Philippine Isl-
ands should have self-government.
Peoples of the kind in the Philip
pines" declared Gray, have no right
to demand any more explicit promise
than is contained in the McEnery res