The times., 1899-02-12

parently justlfying it, be legally tried by
drumhead court-martial and shot in time
OF peace.
Congress has no life outside the Consti-
tuition. 1t cannot lift its hand without
bringing into play some muscle OF the Con-
stitution. The action of Congress is the
Legislative animation OF the Constitution.
Wherever that animation is felt, the Con-
stitution is felt. II Congress acquire or
govern territory, the Constitution thereby,
through Congress. operates in what is
done. There is no power in all the depart
ments of the Government put together to
lay aside the Constitution and set up i'm
perialism. The Government cannot exist
as division between imperialism and de-
mocracy. They are incompatible. The
Constitution in the States and Territories
rests upon the foundation of democracy,
on which there is no room for imperialism.
A citizen of the United States, within
the region subject to Congress. is protect
ed by the limitations upon the power OF
Congress, which inhere in the very life
and animation Of Congress Itself. One ci,i-
zen, in any part OF the dominion OF the
Government. is equal in his civil liberty to
all other citizens in any other part Con-
stitutional inmunities are not lost or sus-
pended at the border of Territories, to be
regained at the line of the next adjacent
State. The sovereignty of the people, and
their inalienable rights, precede the Fed
eral Government, and are acknowledged
by 1t. People are the source of power, and
not the Constitution. The Federal Govern
ment is built upon the dogma that the
natural, inalienable rights of its people to
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
constitute its vital principles 1t cannot
legally be administered so as to re,ax these
rights and neglect them. The expansion of
the Federal Government carries with il the
body of its principles, and the controlling
considerations of its existence. The Phil
ippine Islands under the terms OF settle
ment of the war with Spain, when ratified,
became territory Of the Union, and the in
habitants thereof citizens of the United
States. They cannot be left isolated from
the operation of the principles of civil lib
erty which govern the Union. and con-
troiled by what may be described as a
colonial form of government not based on
the Constitution.
The Federal Government is a scheme of
self-government; wherever it legally goes
self-government goes also The regula
lion OF suffrage in the Territory is another
matter. Who shall vote may be deter
mined by Congress. as is now done in
other Territories. Nor is there any danger
to this country in extending self govern
ment, but on the contrary self f-govern-
ment brings tranquility; eif-government
has never crushed people. No family
OF the human race has suffered by IL. One
reads in the ruins OF governments and
hears in the voices OF their tombs no con-
demhation OF self-government- Empires
have fallen, and ancient States become
dissolved, because the principles on which
they moved were atrocious, and their ad-
ministration cruel. II is a mistake 10 as
sumo that the Philippines will form an ex-
eeption. They are contending for self
government. NThey have suffered for GEN.
turtles under foreign military government.
and want instead thereof government of
their own. This they may attain under
or California. Their ambition for self
government is a guarantee of their ca
pacity for it. They are a docile people
orderly and capable Of great progress
Japan was thought few years ago to need
outside restraint Her progress in TWENTY
five years after the attainment of her own
liberty refutes this. Today her students
throng the universities of the world, and
lead in knowledge of the sciences. The
courage Of her people is unsurpassed.
and their industrial genius will be a con-
stant surprise to more pretentious nations.
So with the Philippine Islands. Relieve
! them from oppression and extortion and
they will advance. The United States has
| broken the night of history in the Orient:
her example in the Philippines will be-
come the future light of Asia. Why
should she falter? Why faint at the con-
! sequences of her own logic? Why dis
trust the spirit of her own institutions.
and turn back the current of destiny?
JEFFERSON CHANDLER.