The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-28
DEMOCRATS OUTLINE POLICY
To be Pursued in RaIatiOn to the
Philinnines.

Washington, Feb. 27.-At a caucus of the
Democratic members Of the house of rep
resentatives, held in the hall of the house
tonight, the following declaration of policy
| and resolutions as to the Philippines were
adopted:
I'VE hold that the constitution of the
| United States was ordained and establish
ed for an intelligent, liberty-loving and
self-governing people, and cannot be sue
cessfully applied to a people of different
virtues and conditions. We therefore hold
that a colonial policy is contrary to the
theory Of our government, and subversive
of those principles of civil liberty which
we have been taught to cherish We
believe, with thedeclaration of independ-
ence, that all governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the gov
erned, and we are unalterably opposed
to the establishment of any government
by the United States without the consent
of the people to be governed, and in con-
fOrmity with these principles we instruct
the minority members of the foreign af-
fairs committee to introduce and urge the
following resolution:
Resolved, That the United States here
by disclaim any disposition or intention
to exercise permanelTt" sovereignty, juris-
diction or control over the Philippine is
4diiuS, dAl4 assert their determination,
when an Independent government shall
have been erected therein, to transfer
to said government, upon terms which
shall be reasonable and just, all rights
secured under the cession by Spain, and
thereupen leave the government and con-
troll of the Islands TO their people"
Another resolution by Mr.. Griggs, Of
Georgia. was adopted as follows:
I'VE, the Democratic members OF the
house of representatives, in congress as
sembled. commend the signal loyalty and
valor of our soldiers and sailors in the
performance of every military duty which
they have been assigned by proper au-
thOrity, however much we may deplore
the policy of the administration now di-
recting their movements; and we pledge
them our hearty support and sympathy
under all circumstances, wherever en-
gagged
The following resolution by Mr.. Living
ston og Georgia was lost:
Resolved. That the United States con-
gIess. as soon as the treaty of peace be-
tween this government and Spain is rati-
fled, give notice to the inhabitants of the
Philippines that it is not our desire or
purpose to hold them under permanent
military control, or as colonial subjects
but, as soon as practicable. 10 aid them
to establish republican form of govern
ment and to become Independent and self
sustaining with such commercial and mil
itary privileges from the United States as
may he agreed upon between US. In the
meantime. we will protect both persons
and property with the largest liberty to
citizens possible under the crcum-
stances"
The caucus began at p. inland lasted
until nearly midnight. The attendance was
large and little division of sentiment was
manifested on the general features Of the
resolutions. The first resolutions were Of
fered by Mr.. Clark CMo..) from the Demo
cratic members Of the foreign affairs
committee, and were 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 be done which could be construed
as 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, he also urged thar
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 drum and sword. while the moth
ers were proud Of this patriotic spirit The
votes were practically unanimous or the
two resolutions adopted. and the Living
ston proposition was defeated by q large
majority.