The times., 1899-01-11
Justice Harlan Speaks Before
Presbyterians.
THE CONSTITUTION NO BAR
of Territory Net For
bidden-A Time of Probation for
the PhiIippincs-Genern Skaters
Addrcss-Thc situation mt Iloifo--
Proper Wny to settle the Rebellion

one. The attendance was the largest OF
the season. The Sunday school room was
completely filled with the members of the
club, who assembled to listen to the ad-
dresses to be made by Associate Justice
Harlan of the United States Supreme
Court, Major General Shafter and John r.
Proctor president of the Civil Service
Commission.
At s O'Clock the president, George c.
Gorham, introduced Justice Harlan, who
presided during the evening. The meeting
took the form of a discussion OF the Philip
pine question and the speakers used this
subject for their discourse.
Major General Shafter was the first to
address the assembly, and, after being in
troduced by Justice Harlan, gave his views
as a soldier upon the Philippines and the
necessity of their remaining in the possess
sion of the United States. General Shafter
said in the beginning that there was no
argument which he considered necessary
10 discuss against the rights of the United
States in keeping the new acquisition, anu
the only question in his mind was the best
manner of governing the people for our
own benefit and for their advancement.
He advocates the establishment of mil
itary government in the island for several
years. or until it is found that the people
can be governed by civil laws. The army.
he said. cannot be too large, and, in in his
opinion, the sooner troops are landed there
the better for the American interests and
the people of the Philippines, who are de-
srous of becoming part OF this great
Government and who desire to be freed
from the lawlessness and chaos whlch Is
the result of the rebel Aguinaldos ambi-
tion.
The necessity of a standing army. ne
said is further demonstrated by the re-
| belious spirit of the ignorant classes VINO
do not seem to be able to appreciate the
intentions of the American Government,
and whose minds have been poisoned
against US either by enemies oil our couh-
try or by persons of their own who see a
possible advancement for themselves II
they are to have the positions at the ior-
nation of Philippine republic
General Shafter said that the recent
events in the islands. particularly at ilotlo,
| demonstrated the character Of the people.
! and even if the rebellion which now exists
| there should terminate with no bloodshed
! there is danger of this same spirit break
| ing out among the people at any time
when such leader as Aguinaldo appeals
| to them The speaker said that he feared
| there were small hopes of conci!iatory
settlement Of the situation at lloilo, and
! that the Presidents proclamation VIII
! have no effect upon the people when the
teaching of Aguinaldo Is contantly ringing
in their ears. The proper way to settle
the question of the rebellion, said the
! speaker is to settle Agulnaldo.
! General Skaters interesting talk was
followed by one fully as instructive by
President John r. Proctor, of the Civil
Service Commission. lie introduced his
! remarks by ridiculing the anti-eXpansion-
lists, and, after assuring the audience that
the Philippines belonged to America, he
gave his views of the manner in which
| they should be governed. He thinks that
it is due the people Of the Islands to gov
| ern them welland as much for their bene-
fit as our own. The only way 10 be sure
that the people will not be misruled and
| that government will be established. ft
TO affiliate with the United States Is to see
that competent and learned men are plac
ed at its head There is a great field ior
spoils in the new acquisitions. he said,
and, no dclrbt. there are many positions
which can be filled by political friends of
the party in power, who will reap the BEN
eft Of them. This. said the speaker must
be prevented. A good and fair govern
ment can never be established with poll
ticians at its head. He thought that the
civil service rule should be strictly applied
10 all positions. and to every department
connected with the Government.
Associate Justice Harlan followed with
an address both amusing and instructive
Justice Harlan believes in expansion. He
said that the arguments OF certain gen
| tlelIltn VINO against luFtueT develop
ment of this country. both those in Con
gress and those who are preparing for the
next political campaign. made him smile.
While he did not object 10 their views. he
did not admire their arguments. He
laughed at the expression. "outgrowing
the Constitution Of the United States
The country does not have to outgrow
the Constitution to acquire new territory. "
he said There is nothing in that val
liable documents which forbids this coun-
try acquiring new territory. either by
treaty or conquest. as long as there Is an
intention Of eventually Incorporating ii
into our own. We may take new land and
govern it as territory for years until it
has become sufficiently populated and the
people have shown their ability to have a
voice in their own government Al that
time it is our duty to admit it into our
Union.
Alaska has been in our possession for
thirty-one years and is not State vet
and until the conditions improve We shall
hold it in the same position perhaps in
definitely.
After the Philippines have coac into
:. our possession we shall govern them on
!. the same footing as a territory and when
: | they demonstrate that they are a fit people
| to be Incorporated into this Union then
!. they shall be admitted. II the course OF
!. time shows that they will never be far
!. enough advanced to become part of us
!. then it is time for us to trade them for
. some place that will You must remember
. our $20.G ,O00.''
!. After Justice Harlan had finished his
: speech which was interrupted many times
!; by applause and laughter he announced
|. that there were articles in the adio,uing
!; room which would require he Immediate
attention of the audience H'hereupon III,
aee""'h'v adjourned 10 the adjacent room
where refreshments were served and tn,
discussion of the evening was resumed il
an informal manner.