The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-14

money to pay b0unties to volunteers. That
question was particularly made by the DEM
ocratic party IN the State of Pennsylvania,
and it finally decided by the Supreme
Court of that State
Then, Mr.. President. you will remember
that the Chicago convention which nom
mated General Mcclellan on the 9fst of
August, 1864, passed a resolution declar-
ing that after having tried the experiment
Of war without success for four years,
1t was time to make PEACE and further de-
claring that the Constitution had been viO-
lated in every part, in the conduct of the
war.
Then after the war was over. it was de-
clared that the civil rights bill was a gross
violation Of the Constitutions that there was
no power to pass that 1t was also de-
clared during the war that there was no
constitutional power 10 suppress reasonable
publications and reasonable newspapers.
Again. we were told four years ago. ana
this statment has been repeated constantly
since. that there was no constitutional power
10 pass the reconstruction laws; that there
was no constitutional power TO impose any
limitation or condition upon the return to
the enjoyment of political rights of those
who had been engaged in the rebellion. I"
Then it was said last session. when we
passed the bill for the purpose of preserv-
ing the purity of the ballot box in the cleo
ton of members of Congress, that the Con-
stitution was torn and almost ruined by the
passage of the act. And now we are told
that we have no power to pass a bill for the
protection of life property and liberty in the
Southern States; that the recent constitu-
tiOnal amendments amount to nothing, so far
enforcement is concerned
The constitutionality of all the foregoing
measures I believe, except the civil rights
bill, has been indicated by history. 1t
was perhaps quite natural for Senator Vest
belonging, as he does, to the Democratic
party. with its strict construction views of
the Constitution to argue the unconstitu-
tionality of annexation. But it seems as
founding that Senator Hoar, who has sup
ported the Republican view of the implied
powers of the Constitution, both in respect
to reconstruction measures and to the pro-
tective tariff, should array himself with
those who hold that the efficiency Of the
general government to perform its most
useful and necessary functions is paralyzed
at every step through lack of power. Aft
er the annexation OF Louisiana, Florida, Cal
ifornia and Alaska Including the Aleutian
islands,. 1t is absurd to deny the cOnstitu-
tional right to acquire the Philippines. The
only possible question to be argued is the
wisdom and propriety of annexation. Even
the citation made by Senator HOar from the
Tor which that instrument was adopted,
shows that 1.-The welfare Of the people" is
one of those purposes. If both branches
OF the government, the legislative as well
as the executive, agree that our welfare is
promoted by a line of conduct which will
not permit the inhabitants of these islands
to be RENTED to anarchy, after we have
released them from Spanish rule and that
the interests of our commerce and the pres
erVatiOn of our civilization demand that we
shall participate in the problems that are
arising in the far East, what power is there
anywhere to review this decision?
WILLIAM DUDLEY FOULKE.
Richmond Ind Jan u