The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-02-28
POLICY OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS.
AS RELATING TO THE PHILIP
PINE QUESTION.
Resolutions Adopted at q Meeting
Held at Washington to Out
line Their Course.

WASHINGTON, Feb. Pat cau-
Gus of the Democratic members of the
House, held in the hall of the House
tonight, the following declaration of
policy and resolutions as to che Phil
ippines were adopted:
1--WE hold that the Constitution of the
United States was ordained and estab-
lished for an intelligent, liberty loving
and self-governing people, and cannot
be successfully applied to people OF
different virtues and conditions. We
therefore hold that a colonial policy IS
contrary to the theory of our Govern
ment, and subversive of those princi-
pies of civil liberty which we have been
taught to cherish. We believe with
the Declaration of Independence that all
Governments derive their just powers
from the consent of the governed, and
we are unalterably opposed to the es-
tablishment of any Government by the
United States without the consent of
the people to be governed, and in con-
formity with these principles we in
struct the minority members of the
Foreign Affairs Committee to. introduce
and urge the following resolution:
Resolved, That the United States
hereby disclaim any disposition or in
tention to exercise permanent SOW
ereignty, jurisdiction or control over
the Philippine Islands, and assert their
determination, when an Independent
Government shall have been erected
therein, to transfer to said Govern
ment upon terms which shall be reason
able and just to all rights secured under
the cession by Spain and thereupon
leave the Government and control of
the islands to their people -
Another resolution by Mr.. Griggs was
adopted as follows:
I'VE, the Democratic members of the
House of Representatives, in caucus
assembled, commend the signal loyalty
and valor of our soldiers and sailors in
the performance of every military duty
to which they have been assigned by
proper authority, however much we
may deplore the policy of the Admin
istration now directing their move
ments; and we pledge to them our
hearty support and sympathy under all
circumstances wherever enga ged."
The following resolution by Living
ston of Georgia was lost:
Resolved, That the United States
Congress, as soon as the treaty of peace
between this Government and Spain is
ratified, give notice to the inha bitants
of the Philippines that it is not our de-
sire or purpose to hold them under per-
manent military control, or as colonial
subjects, but as soon as practicable to
aid them to esta blish a republican form
of Government and to become indie
pendent and self sustaining, with COM
merc:al and military privileges from the
United States as may be agreed upon
Meanwhile we will protect both persons
and property with the largest liberty to
citizens possible under the circum-
stances"
The caucus began at 8 p. m. and
lasted until, nearly midnight The at
tendance was large.
The first resolutions were offered by
Clark of Missouri from the Democratic
members of the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee, and was the text for most of the
speeches.
A speech by General Wheeler was
notable in differing with the prevailing
view. He urged that nothing should he
done which could be construed as a lack
of support to our soldiers. The hands
of the President should be upheld, he
said, when fighting was going on. AS
a matter of expediency, also, he urged
that the party should not oppose the
war. Wars were popular, he declared.
and at the present time the spirit of
the people was shown by the fact that
every boy had his UNI and sword viii e
the mothers were proud of this patriotic
spirit.
The votes were practically unanimous
on the two resolutions. and the Living
ston resolution was defeated by large
ma iOrity