The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-01
LONG At GREAT BEND
Demonstrates the Constitu-
tionality of Expansion.
KICKERS IN ALL AGES
Have Rallied in Vain Even as
the Kicker of '99.

Great Bend, Kan, Oct. 31.-Great Bend
and Barton county turned out enthusiast
tically tonight and heard Congressman
Chester L Long deliver a speech on ex-
pansion which clinched the convictions Of
the unwavering and undoubtedly turned
the scale in the case Of many a dubious
voter in favor of the New Americanism
and the support of the administration.
The result will show up on election day
in increased majorities for the Republic
can county ticket. Mr.. Long demonstrate
ed the constitutionality of expansion, and
that the anti-expansionist of the pres
ent day is only using the worn-out argu-
ments of previous doubling generations,
each of which in turn opposed in vain.
He advocated expansion as trade neces-
sity in view OF the vast field opening
up on the Asiatic continent. The Mica
raguan canal, a Pacific cable and the
governmental fostering of merchant
marine, were each taken up in turn and
Endorsed by the speaker. Mr. Longs
speech, in part, follows:
There is a disposition by some to dis
cuss the question Of expansion in rela-
ton to the Philippine Islands This was
proper before the ratification of the trea-
ty of Paris, but it is hardly necessary TO
do so at the present time. The question
is not whether we shall take the Philip
pine Islands. They are ours already. We
obtained them from Spain, who had the
sole title to them, and the question to be
decided in the future is not whether we
shall take the islands, but whether we
shall keep them. The question may be de-
termined by the Fifty-sixth congress. If
1t is, I shall vote to retain them. I think
it is better for the Filipinos to live under
our flag than under any other. They
should have the best. If you can name
any other flag that is better for the Fill
pinos than our stars and stripes, do so,
and then go live under it yourselves. I
have great confidence in the ability of the
American congress to form a good gov
eminent for the Fflipinos. We have had
a hundred years experience in governing
people in territories and districts.
THE law for the organization of the
northwest territory has been the basis on
which all the laws for the organization
and government of our territories have
been founded. 1t contained a provision
for the appointment of a governor and
judges without the consent of the people
Of the territory, and without any vote
thereon. No legislature was provided for
until the territory had 5000 nhabitants,
and yet this form of government was
satisfactory to the people. There have
been people who have willingly left Kan
sas, where they have government by the
consent of the governed and gone to Ok
Iahoma, where they have no voice in the
election of a president of the United
States, none in the choice of a governor
and judges Of the territory, and where
they have no United States senator or
representative IN congress with power to
vote. The expression used in the Declar-
auon of Independence was general in its
terms and was so recognized by the peo-
pie of this nation when they declined to
permit the people of eleven states dur
ing the civil war to have a government of
their own, but forcibly compelled them to
recognize the authority of the govern
ment of the United States from which
they attempted to secede
Congress has passed laws for the gov
eminent of Alaska, under which life and
property have been protected, although
no regular territorial government has
been formed for that country.
After the suppression of the insurrec-
ton in the Philippine Islands, congress
will form q e0vernman+ for tbo T@il;r;-o.
that will accord them as much loyal gov
eminent as they are capable Of exercis-
ing. We will make life and property
there as safe as in Oklahoma, and when
the government is organized and in sue
cessful operation, the inhabitants of |
those Islands will be able to distinguish
between the beneficent rule and authority |
of the United States as compared with the |
despotism of Spain, to which they have |
been accustomed for the last 500 years.
But ii is insisted by those who oppose /
the retention of the Philippines that I'M
der our constitution this government has |
no authority to retain possession of for |
eign lands and maintain control over peo- |
pie that live in remote parts of the earth. !
We heard more of these constitutional OBJ |
jections some months ago than we do !
now. For, in examining the history of our |
we find that similar objections |
have been made at every period that we |
have annexed foreign territory. We also |
find that but little attention has been paid /
to these objections in the past In 1908,
when President Jefferson made the Louis I
ANA purchase, the same objection was
raised, and warning cries were heard /
from different parts of the original thir-
teen states. There were anti-expansfon-
SITS then as well as now. Senator White
Of Delaware declared 1t would prove the
greatest curse that could befall Us. Rep
Griswold Of Connecticut said:
1t will prove the subversion OF our ma
ion \ voice from Massachusetts was
heard then as now. Josiah Quincy. when
( was proposed TO admit Louisiana as a
state. speaking OF the purchase OF the
erritory. said: If this bill passes, the
bonds Of the Union are virtually 6issolv-
ID. The constitution never was and never
AN be strained 10 lap over all the wilder
ness of the west. It never was intended
10 form a covering for Missouri and the
Red river country. Attempt 10 stetch It
over these and it will be rent asunder.
You have no right 10 throw the rights
and liberties and prosperity Of this cOun-
Try into hotch-Dot with the wild men OF
the Missouri nor with the race Of Anglo
Gallo Americans who baSk on the sands
n the mouth Of 'the Mississippi This
bill. if it passes. is a death-hlow to The
THE objections, however. were over
ruled Louisiana was purchased from
France. and this act OF expansion made
L possible for Us to occupy this soil and
still be citizens OF the United States
In lS45 when the republic Of Texas ok
pressed the desire 10 abandon its ia6e-