The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-12

STAND BY THE CONSTITUTION.
Senator Hoar, Of Massachusetts, Is far
from being an orator, I'm the popular
sense OF that word. He has no tricks
| for catching the fancy. he Is not graceful
in carriage or delivery. he is not impas-
stoned in defamation. But to cultivated
minds. who delight In original and cor
rect thought, uttered in language exactly
adapted to conveying the thought he y
one Of the first orators living to-day.
He Is a man OF vast and deep historical
reading. he has powerful and analyti-
cal mind, and these enable him TO point
out the true path for the future by
showing the evils men have suffered
from I'm the past from treading the I'M
wise paths commended 10 them now. lie
Is profoundly versed in the history OF
the period which gave birth to our CON-
stitution. and he has followed its work
ings with critical eye. There Is no
conrientator upon it VINO deals with
1t mere interestingly, and whether you
agree with his construction OF whether
you do not. you cannot hear him upon
any part OF II without interest and in
struction. His speech in the Senate last
Monday upon the right Of this country
10 acquire the Philippine Islands was
one Of the most interesting and powerful
expositions Of the Constitution that he has
ever ye; made The Times may be lit
tie partial to a.. perhaps. because II iol-
lowed exactly the lines which The Times
has already more than once laid out.
But whether prejudiced I'm favor OF the
cause or not. no one could follow Mr.
Hoar without delight in his critical ana
iysis. his wealth Of historical illustra-
ton. and his convincing logic.
Senator Hoar did the American people
a real service when he pointed out that
the Constitution itself has defined the
purposes for which this government was
established 1t opens with this sentence:
I'VE the people Of the United states.
I'm order to form a more perfect union
establish Justice. insure domestic tran
guilty. provide for the common defence,
Dromote the general welfare, and secure
tho blessings Of liberty to ourselves and
our posterity. do ordain and establish
this Constitution for the United states
Of America.
That is the chart Of our national be
ing. These are the purposes for which
the American people agreed TO come to-
gether and form our government for the
whole. II acquisitions Of the Philippine
Islands can be found provided for in this
passage. then the United states have a
right TO acquire them. But If acquisi-
ton Of them cannot be found provided
for I'm this passage then the Government
of the United states has no right 10 ac-
quire them.
In what part of the passage will such
acquisition he found provided for? Is IT
necessary 10 the formation Of a more
perfect Union? is IT necessary to establish
ing justice in these United States? is
it necessary 20 insuring domestic tran
guilty? or for providing FOR the common
defence? or for promoting the general
welfare of the people Of this linton?
or for securing the blessings or liberty TO
the people Of the United states living
when the Constitution was adopted, or
TO their descendants? Yet If it is not me-
cessarv for some one Of these, then the
ACQUISITION OF the islands Is not contem-
plated and provided for by our Consti-
tuition.
But. added Senator Hoar. our Declare
ton OF Independence. which is I'm spirit
part Of our Constitution. declares that
s4r-
from the consent Of the governed. and
n we impose our government upon the
inhabitants OF the Philippine Islands
against their will, are we not expressly
regulating the Declaration Of indie
pendence and the essential principle Of
our national life?
General Merritt thinks We have out
grown the Constitution. and military and
naval men generally, who, as a class,
think the sword the happiest arbiter Of
disputes that man has, are prone 20 the
same opinion But men whose feet are
guided by the lamp of experience, and
who have watched the evolutions OF man
as the authentic records Of his life dis
close it. abhor the very suggestion Of the
sword as the arbter Of disputes. These
men know that our Constitution IS the
happiesl frame of government for man
ever devised 10y the act Of man, and
that while We adhere to its boundaries
our national life and prospecting future are
assured.
We adjure the people Of the United
States to turn their back upon tempta-
tion and cling with an their might 20 the
landmarks Of the Constitution.