The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-10
EXPANSION
Constitutional Right
to Carry
POLICY INTO EFFECT
Senator Platt's Reply to Mr..
Hears Argument.

~ e~4A 80 80 ~ IA14So deby III lAlC OGuCtt7t
the principal subject under discussion
being the constitutional right of the
United States to carry into effect the
policy of expansion.
The leading speaker was Mr.. Hoar
of Massachusetts, who delivered q
speech in support of the resolution in
troduced by Mr.. Vest Of Missouri, de-
claring it to be in opposition to the
constitution for this country to acquire
foreign territory to be governed per-
manently as colonies Although Mr..
Hoar occupied the time of the Senate
for more than two hours, he was ac-
corded the unusual compliment of close
and undivided attention by his col
leagues on the floor and a large audi
ence in the galleries
lie confined himself closely to his
manuscript, but his address was de-
livered with all the fire, earnestness
and animation Of the orator that he
is. Mr.. Hoar is master of the subtle
ties Of the English language and a
rhetorician of notahlity, and his keen
sarcasm and wit were thoroughly en-
joyed by his auditors.
AAA' SA'NONh w elo III dIl6hGT 10 Lnal le-
Gently delivered by Mr.. Platt of Con
necticut, and had been most carefully
prepared. He took strong ground
against the position assumed by the
connecticut senator, maintaining that
1t was in violation Of the constitution
and Declaration Of Independence. "the
great expounder of the constitution .
for this country to acquire foreign ter
rltory to be held and governed as col
onies
When Mr.. Hoar had concluded. Mr..
Flatt addressed the Senate. He said:
Il cannot ask the indulgence of the
senate at this time to reply extempor-
aneously to the carefully prepared ar-
gument of the senator from Massa-
chusetts. l can only say that l have
ilstened to 1t with great attention and
interest. The senator is a master of
language and adept at the use of sar-
casm. He has succeeded in conjuring
UP a spectre which is really only a
spectre. He has spent large portion
OF his argument iii erecting A man of
straw, and the remainder of his areu-
ment in denolishing that man of
straw. He has not answered the ar
Sument which had the honor to make
but has misrepresented what / said. !
Mr.. Plat maintained that Mr. Hoai
ADMITTED his contention that this coun-
Try mad the right 10 acquire and govern
Instant territory, but that he had IN
fairly presented what he (Platt) had
said about the acquisition and govern.
ment of such territory. He then reaG
from his own speech a paragraph
showing that he had held it to be this
duty of this country to provide for ac.
CURED territory a most liberal and en-.
hgh.ened system of governments gov.
ernment in accord with the spirit OF
the Declaration of Independence are the
constitution
Yet" said Mr.. Plat, with emphasis
and feeling, che holds me I'D here as
opposed to applying to the people OF
this acquired territory the principles OF
legislation in accordance with the spir.
it Of the Declaration of independence
and the constitution. The United States
has never legislated in opposition to the
Declaration of Independence and to the
constitution, and never will [ want
to say, Mr.. President, that an applica.
ton of the doctrines of the senator
Irom Massachusetts would have pre-.
vented our expansion westward across
this continent to the Pacific coast We
found here this continent in the hands
of the Indians who did not want us
here, nor did they want to be placed
under our government. Notwithstand.
government here, and now at last we
have brought many Of the Indians tC
state of civilization and citizenship
You violated your declaration of indie.
pendence,' says the Indian, when you
legislated for me- But who, Mr.. Pres.
ident, would turn back the hand OF
time to meet the requirements of the
doctrine of the senator from Massachu.
setts?"
1T is the spirit of the declaration Of
independence that gives it life. 1t is
perfectly we'll assured that no attempt
will ever be made to legislate for the
people of this country or of our ac.
CURED territory in contravention of The
declaration of Independence and of tht
constitution. / am one of those VINO
believe, Mr.. President that we shall
not ring the doom of this country wher
we shall place over the inhabitants Of
our acquired territory legislation which
Will confer upon them the blessings Of
peace, happiness and prosperity"
Mr.. Catfery of Louisiana inquired Of
Mr. Platt whether he would force upor
these people our system of government
against their will
That question:" replied the Connec.
ticut senator, "is q part of the argu.
ment Of the senator from Louisiana
and the senator from Massachusetts il
support OF the pending resolution. They
hold that we cannot go into an enemy's
country even in time Of war without
the consent of the Inhabitants of the
country. The argument contains with.
in itself its own answer"
After alluding to the late war anC
the responsibilities entailed by it upor
this country, and explaining briefly his
own position with respect to the war
Mr. Plat said: I'VE propose to pro.
claim liberty and justice and human
rights in the Philippines or wherever
else the flag of this country shall be
planted. Who will haul those principles
DOWN."
No, Mr.. President this entire argu.
ment of the senator from Massachu.
sets is spectre, conjured up by him
In support of his position. / cannot be
accused of not loving justice and puri-
" and unselhshness as devoutly as the
senator from Massachusetts loves
them. ] shall meet the responsibilities
that are to arise in connection with
this. great question in the spirit of the
Declaration of Independence and of
the constitution, and could never be
persuaded to do otherwise"
Mr. Hoar briefly replied to the state
ment of Mr.. Platt, reiterating and
calculating some OF the points Of his
own speech which he conceived Mr.
Platt had misunderstood
The Nicaragua canal bill was then