The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-13
the eye Of the Philippine 10000 miles

the y Of the Philippine 10000 miles
away.
ereignfy, and IL we have such a right
have we the right to purchase 1t from
Spain who had no right and whose
title we IA already dfscredited among
the nations OF the world? II we pur-
chase the Spanish title of sovereignty
would we then Ia the trust title?
Who wants to govern the Philip
pine islands? Who among US wishes to
vote for laws here to govern them TO-
900 miles away? l never saw their
homes, I never spoke with one of
them. and I don't know their language,
I could not live in their climate, I do
not know their institutions. Who is
there in Washington, / say, to write
laws to govern these people whose very
language We do not understand?
"Ah, Mr.. President, the fever has
been upon US. Thank God, I believe
the crisis is past. The people have
been dashed into fury by the press.
The glorious achievements of our navy
and army have set the national pulse
beating high, but the land grabbing
fever is gradually receding, and the
unnatural, un-American desire to gov
ern another without his consent, thank
God, is not as strong today as it was
but a few days since.
Mr.. President, I am through. 1 do
not expect to escape bitter criticism.
I have seen so much of sacrifice On the
part of others in all of the past for
the cause of liberty I would for it sac
rifce my seat among you, In which
I take great honor, as cheerfully as I
would part with a crust of bread. I
have wished for hat magnetic
strength that would help me to burn
within your hearts the sacred word of
liberty; not Spanish liberty for Cuba;
not liberty for o prescribed by me;
not liberty for me prescribed by you;
not English liberty for America; not
American liberty for the Philippines,
but liberty universal, for which our
fathers died"
Once enator Mason was interrupted
by enator Tillman, of South Caro-
lima. Senate Mason had sail that wal
with the Philippines was likely within
ten days.
Senator Tillman enquired: "I want
to know by what authority the presi-
dent will begin hat war. Until the
treaty of peace has been. ratified and
the cession Of the Philippines is com
pleted, does not the protocol stand?"
Senator Mason: 81 SO understand it,"
Senator Tillman: "Can the president
fire a single gun in such a war until
this ngr shall have taken action
I mean legally?"
Senator Mason: ST do not think So"
While Senator Mason was discussing
the statement of the possible bonn
bardment of Iloilo, which he aid it
was currently reported, was in con-
temptation, Senator Gallinger, Of New
Hampshire, saying that as Senator
Mason's statement was very serious he
would like to know upon what infOr-
nation it was based.
II have some information" replied
h Illinois senator, (which I cannot
here and now communicate to the sem
ate. What I have said, however, is
reported and has been day after day,
in the dispatches of the Associated
Press. I nay say that I base my state
ment upon the reports Of the Associa-
ted Press. These reports are that we
have threatened to lombard Iloilo, with
women and children, where u flag
has never been raised.
Senator Gallinger expressed regret
hat Senator Mason could not give the
source of his most important informa-
ton, but so far as he was concerned,
he could not accept his unsupported
statement or hat of a press associa-
ton.
This statement" interjected Sena-
tor White, Of California, has been
published throughout this country-We
all know that when untrue statements
are so published they are denied by
the administration. Instead of denial it
is met with a silence that is alike
ominous and convincing"
Senator Gallinger: Convincing to
the senator from California, but not
to me-"
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, secured
the passage of a bill for the construc-
ton of a bridge I'VE h Savannah
river, from the main land in Chatham
county, Georgia, to Hutchins island.
At the request of Senator Morgan,
Limitation of the debate on the Mica
ragua canal bill to fifteen minute
speeches after 8 o'clock next Tuesday.
Senator Turley was hen recognized
to speak on the Nicaragua canal. He
announced himself as an advocate Of
! the canal but said that he vas opposed
to the pending bill. He based his oh.
| lection largely upon the fact that the
| Clayton-Bulwer treaty is in full force
at the present time.
At the conclusion of Senator Tur
ley's speech a bill was passed direntin,
h president to appoint Paymaste
General T.. H. Stanton a major gen
era and retire him at that grade.
The senate then at 4 O'Clock, on mo
ton Of Senator Morgan, Of Alabama
went into executive session.
At Ais o'clock the senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The house today Immediately afte
the reading Of the journal resume,
consideration Of the bill for the codifi
cation of the criminal laws of Alaska
A good many minor amendments wer
adopted and bou sixty additions
pages Of the bill were disposed of. Onl
ten pages remain.
At 4:45 o'clock p. m the house ad
5ourned.
INDIANS ARE CITIZENS