The evening times., 1899-01-18
IN OPPOSITION TO THE
POLICY OF EXPANSION
Speech of Senator Bacon Of
Georgia.
a
A Carefully Prepared Argument De-
liyered in the Senate Today.
Says Our Purpose in the Philippines
Should He Avowed mt Once in
n Conclusive Manner.

Mr.. Bacon of Georgia addressed the Sen
ate today in opposition to the expansion
policy His speech was lengthy one and
carefully prepared. He said in part:
1t is not to be beliyed that the Government OF
the United States will, with full appreciation Of
the nature and the consequences of the act, thus
violate the principle of the right OF self govern
ment. 1t is incredible-nay, impossible, that the
liberty-lovng people of these United States will
consent that by power of arms the dominion OF
this Government shall be enforced upon people
who have owned us ailegiance-who are strug-
CLING to be free.
There is not civil officiaf Of the Government
who will admit that he favors such act. There
Is not public man in the country who will ad-
init that he favors the enslayement Of a people.
There Is not Senator who would not repel the
charge If made against him. And yet there
many who are advocating course the inevitable
consequence of which, il successfully pursued, is
to accomplish the ensavement of the people Of
the Philippine Islands
Referring to the statement made by
Senator Foraker last week that President
Mckinley had no idea of permanently
holding the Philippines, Mr.. Bacon said:
am glad to know that such is the position and
view of the Senator from Ohio and OF those who
stand with him this position. | am especially
glad to have the assurance of the distinguished
Senator that of his knowledge the position
thus stated by him is the position OF the Presi-
dent of the United States. If that position can
be assured rs the one which this Government will
take and adhere to, there Will be little difference
or contention between The resolutions which
j have introduced. and the adoption OF which I
am now advocating, agree substantially with the
position thus announced by the Senator from
Ohio. What desire, however, is that there shall
he now an avowal of this position by the Law-
| making power OF this Cover nment in joint rcSo-
! tion OF Congress, approved by the President.
II it is not purpose to subject the Philip
pine Islands to our dominion; if. on the contrary,
| ii is purpose at the proper time To recognize
| an independent government in those islands, and
| 70 leave them to the control of their people
| so soon as the proper settlement can he had, and
| proper guarantees for the future assured, then
such purpose ought to he avowed at in the
| most solemn and conclusive manner.
| Other points made by Mr.. Bacon were:
| What | wish to accomplish by these resolutions
| is that the United States shall in this hour Of
victory, in this hour Of undisputed physical power
! make substantially the declaration relative
10 the Philippine Islands that they have made rel
atiye to Cuba
/ the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands had
| been engaged in an active rebellion against the
power of Spain TO achieve their independence, and
were so engaged at the outbreak of the war.
Ii is not to be hoped that the Filipinos who
were fighting for their freedom before we de
! c!ared war against Spain. will surrender their
| country to the United States without a strug
| gle. Every report receive shows that they viii
| not do Ii there should come a collision. il
! there should he battle between the Americans
and the Filipinos, it viii be a fearful shock Tor
TO realize that undertaken for the liberia
/ ton Of Cuba has been converted into one TO
subjugate the Philippines.
| In bearing against Spain the Filipinos
! were either engaged IN rchtful rebellion they
were bandits. H-they-were bandits we had no
! right 10 act in alliance with them. Ii they were
| engaged in rightfui rebellion bound, hav-
| ing accepted their alliance. to acknowledge their
right TO freedom when that rebellion Is success
! ful.
II annexed this territory must either be in the
! end admitted States i'll the Urion with their
| people citizens, entitled TO equal rights and
| power with the citizens OF other States. the
territory must be held colonies. with their peo-
/ pie subjects and yasSals OF the United States.
| 1t is impossible that people should ever
consent that these Asiatic communities should be
| admitted States into the Union, clothed with
the power TO assist in making laws for Ameri-
| cans.
Mr.. Bacon concluded by urging that the
| American people had enough to do in de-
yeloping their own country. which. eXclu-
! sive Of Alaska. was ample for population
| of 300 600, coo. and in developing our own
| resources there was enough to tax the
! energies and inspire the hopes of our peo-
| pie for centuries to come
| Senator Bacon finished his speech at 40
| p. m.