Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-09-28

5uo6S' Lac attempt
by congress, to conquer the natives of
the Philippine islands is In repudia-
ton of the American doctrine OF con-
sent framed in the declaration of in
dependence and in conflict with the
principles which George Washington
and his fellow patriots of the revolution
made sacrifices to establish" am
surprised that the platform did not
contain the declaration that Thomas
Jefferson was the author of the dec
laration of independence. AS one reads
this platform and remembers the Ian
gpage OF the declaration so frequently
quoted, he might suppose that this was
the first instance when the United
States has ever acquired territory with
out the consent of the people occupying
1t. The self-styled political descend
ants of Thomas Jefferson are, however,
sary sometimes to stir up their pure
minds by way of remembrance.
In December, 1903, Louisiana passed
from the dominion of Spain to the do
minion OF France, and from the domin-
ion of France, twenty days later, to
the dominion of the United States. The
inhabitants of this vast territory were
very largely French and Span
ish. Neither their consent to nor
their approval OF these ccssions of their
native or adopted country was ever
asked or obtained. The first govern
ment which the United States estab-
lished within this territory was by act
of congress approved March 26,1S04.
This act was signed by Thomas JEFF
ferson. then president Oh the United
States. 1t was in fact passed at his
suggestion and on his request One
would suppose from all we have heard
of this liberty-loving founder of a great
political party that the government
thus accorded these newly purchased
allies would be as nearly a pure de-
mocracy as anything in sight, but, on
the contrary, it was a simon-pure des-
potism. 1t affords one of the very few
instances where the congress of the
United States has given to a territory
a government in which the peo-
pie of the territory have had
no choice whatever. The ter
ritory of Louisiana was acquired, it
treaty cession, the same as the Philip
pine islands have been acquired; yet
the act of congress expressly provides
that the president of the United States
(Thomas Jefferson,) shall appoint a
governor and legislative council, both
to hold Office during the pleasure OF
the president, and a residence of one
year within the territory was the only
qualification necessary. The governor
was to make the laws with the approval
of the council. Mark you the council
was not to make the laws with the
approval of the governor. 1t was a
pure despotism. 1t is needless to say
that the exercise of sovereignty by the
United States over this territory was
not rclished by the people. They
could not speak the English language.
They knew nothing of our forms of
law; and they protested vigorously. 1t
may be interesting to read a paragraph
VI lIlSlI pIOlSSI lieu WIFI congress DIT
its next session. 1 quote as follows:
How far any supposed incapacity
to direct the affairs of our own coun-
try would release the United States
from their obligation to confer upon
us the rights of citizenship, or upon
what principle they are to become
the judges of that capacity, might,
we believe, fairly be questioned; for we
have surely become not less fit for the
task since the signature of the treaty
than we were before that period; and
that no such incapacity was then sup
posed to exist is evident from the terms
of that instrument, which declares that
we are to be admitted so soon as pos
sible according to the principles of the
constitution. If the United States,
then, may postpone the performance
of this engagement until. in their opin-
ion, it may be proper to perform it, of