The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-24
CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP co.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal
LOUISVILLE. XIV NEW YORK. N Z,

ed to govern themselves. If we say that
the Fiipinos are not fitted for self-govern-
ment, pray let US know by what process
Of reasoning we can take them into our
own governmental system"
Mr.. White declared that no conclusion
was possible, except that it was the inten-
ton of this government and the officers
in power to annex the Philippines. If this
were not true, he inquired, why would not
the supporters Of the peace treaty con-
sent to the adoption of such a resolution
as that offered by Mr.. Hoar declaring that
there was no intention on the part of this
government to hold the islands in perpet-
Uity?
BENEVOLENT ASSIMILATION"
Mr.. White then referred to the presi-
dents statement that the attitude of the
United States was to be one of "beaevo-
lent assimilation"
Mr.. Chandler On. h interrupted Mr.
White and said:
The other day. when this benevolent
assimilation bugbear was raised before the
senate, took occasion to look up the def
nation given by Mr.. Webster Of 'assimi-
means a resemblance, a likeness, but not
necessarily amalgamation or absorption"
After indicating just what the definition
is, Mr.. Chandler said: 1T is not a fair ar
gument to say that the word means alb
sorption or to assume that the president:
used it in that sense"
Does the senator speak for the presi-
dent with authority?i inquired Mr.. Whites
Does he know what the president meant
when he spoken
Undoubtedly" replied Mr.. Chandler,
"the president thinks as 1 do. if he is a.
wise man, and I think he is. The presi-
dent thinks we ought TO bring these people
into reasonable likeness to us, but not
necessarily 10 incorporate them, and I
hope the senator will not lay too much
stress upon the expression 'bepeH olent as
similation.'
IF the senator can assure US" replied
Mr.. White, that he speaks with author
ity as to the utterances of the president,
I may not have high regard for the
definition, but have more respect for the
policy involved"
quite naturally" said Mr.. Chandler,
81 am not and could not be responsible
for the presidents definition of his words.
This word assimilation does not mean
destruction or swallowing up, but it does
mean likeness, identity, etc"
1t void take certainly long time" re-
torted Mr.. White facetios,y, ito bring a
Mohammedan from Mindanao 10 assume a
likeness TO the senator from New Han.p-
shire.
POLICY SHOULD BE DEFINED.
Mr. White. continuing, said he was op-
posed to the entire policy OF expansion.
and that his objections TO it were basic.
He maintained that If this country had
the slightest regard for it's position before
the world it was the duty OF congress to
define its policy on the subject before
proceeding further.
IT, said he, we ratify the pending
treaty and take upon ourselves the re-
sponsibility of the Philippine islands, there
IS nothing else for Us 20 do but subjugate
them at all hazards. We must show to
the nations Of the world that We have not
only a legal right. but the physical power
10 hold them"
AS TO MANIFEST DESTINY"
Mr. White inquired what this manifest
destiny" was that had been heard so much
about recentIy-a destiny that insisted that
this nation should 90 what ii ought not to
do. l had been maintained he said. that
wherever the stars and stripes were once
planted, there they must remain. but he
had heard q distinguished senator say only
recently that that was merely a figure OF
speech and was noc intended TO be a rock
OF absolute policy. He ridiculed the in
corporation Of a figure Of speech into n
policy Of a great gova<nment and insist
ed that it had no proper place in declara-
tion Of solemn and venerable ooLcv.
Mr. White paid a high tribute TO the
three senator's who mad been members Of
the peace commission, and said that no.
body had a higher regard for them than
he. He conceded that the formulation Of
The peace treaty was largely their work.
hut maintained that al senators must pass
the work OF the commission before their
own individual judgment
Further along AIr. White referred 10 the
necessity, under the proposed policy OF ex
panSion- Of q large standing army. and
demanded 10 know what benefit was "a b.
derived BY this country from such an in
s;itu,ion.
What Is the limit % the expsnsi7ais,s?"
he inquired. We are already told. he
continued. that the expansionists desire
to participate in the partition Of China.
when that shan come. and the Indications
were that this country was 10 20 on and
acquire SIN other territory. which. in The
nature Of things. would have be de-
Tended"
MASON AND TELLER CONE N.
4 this point a colioquy occurred which
was participated in by ar. Mason Of III
uois. Mr.. Teller CT Colorado ana NJ
White
Mr.. Mason inquired II territory whose
Inhabitants had 20 re forced snto sa1-r.s-
sion did mo- always require an immense
force 20 keep The people II s1btec-son-
NJ. White did rot desire. evidently. %