The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-01-13
HOAR AGAINST EXPANSION.
Venerable Senator Delivers Highly In
terestinE Discourse.

Venerable Senator Delivers = Highly In
terestinE Discourse.
Monday proved to be an interesting
day in the senate, the principal sub
ject under discussion being the con-
stitutional right of the United States
to carry into effect the policy of ex-
pansion. The leading speaker was
Mr.. Hoar, republican, of Massachu.
setts, who delivered a speech in sup
port of the resolution introduced by
Mr.. Vest, democrat, of Missouri, de-
claring it to be in opposition to the
constitution for this country to acquire
foreign territory to be governed per-
emily as colonies.
Mr.. Hoar was accorded the unusual
compliment of close and undivided at
tention by his colleagues on the floor
and large audience in the galleries.
He maintained that it was in violation
of the constitution and the declaration
of independence, "the great expounder
of the constitution" for this country
to acquire foreign territory to be held
and governed as colonies.
Without adverting to the proposed
policy of the United States entering
upon an expansion of it's territory ex-
cept in general and indirect manner,
Mr.. Hoar entered upon a discussion
of the constitutional phases of the
question involved in the resolution
under consideration, prefacing his ar
gument with statement of his per-
sonal position on the subject.
81 dislike to differ from the presi-
dent, whose election I hailed with
such personal satisfaction and snch ex-
ulting anticipations for the republic.
/ dislike to differ from SO many of my
party associates in this chamber, with
whom 1 have for so many years trod
the same pathway. I thank God as
my eyes grow dim they look out on a
fairer country, a better people, n
brighter future"
Mr.. Hoar believed, he said, this
country to be nation>--a sovereign
nation. He believed congress pos
sessed all the powers necessary to ac-
complish the great objects the trainers
of the constitution intended should be
accomplished. But he denied that it
possessed the "astonishing" and eek
travagant" powers under the constitu-
tion which the senator from Connect
icut (Mr. Platt attributed to it.
Mr.. HOar was inclined to ridicule
those who favor expansion and the
ratification of the treaty of Paris with
out amendment. Their arguments, he
said, were three cheers for the flag .;
who will dare to haul it down? Hold
onto everything you can get. America
has outgrown Americanism."
In the course of his appeal to senat-
ors, Mr.. Hoar said "When you raise
the flag over the Philippine islands as
an emblem of dominion and acquisi-
tion, you take it down from Independ-
cnce Hail."
Mr.. Hoar dwelt with emphasis upon
the large increase in national expendi-
ture, which policy of expansion advo-
Gated by Mr.. Platt would entail plac-
ing the amount at $50, ,000,0 900 an
nually.
He argued that the adoption of Mr..
Platt's doctrine would reduce wages,
increase taxation, place an armed sol
dier on the back of the working man
and Ivy the act of the government ev-
cry Americans dignity would be die
honored and his manhood discrowned.
In conclusion Mr.. Hoar said he
could not agree that the declaration of
Independence and the constitution are
failure, and that America is to begin
the twentieth century where Spain be-
gan the sixteenth.