The times., 1899-01-21

statesman from Minnesota ialheu III lawn
of expansion, against all who opposed 1t,
on the floor OF the Senate yesterday The
debate was one of the liveliest of the ses-
sion, the opposition interjecting frequent
Interruptions in the shape Of questions
calculated to puzzle or st3ygger the speaker,
but he met every interrogatory with
readiness and force that carried convic-
ton. His speech was one of the most
interesting that has yet been delivered on
the subject.
Mr. Nelson argued in favor Of the inher-
ent right of this country to acquire foreign
territory by discovery, conquest or treaty.
and to govern territory so acquired. That
question. he declared was no longer an
unsettled one: it had been settled by de-
cision of the United States Supreme Court
and was hardly open TO debate. The pow
er of the United States to so acquire terri
tory was as full and comprehensive as that
possessed by any other nation and had so
been considered in the past The claim
that this country has only the right to ac-
quire territory which it is intended shall
hereafter be admitted to the Union as a
state he said. was fallacious, and not sup
ported by past history.
He cited the Florida, Louisiana and
Gadsdsn purchases and said that in no
single case had the people of territory
hithe. to Gcquired by the United States been
consulted or their consent secured to an
neXation. Even in Hawaii, he said, only
a small minority of the inhabitants of the
islands had been consulted or their con-
sent TO annexation asked.
Question of Citixcnship.
Referring to the contention that the
people Of the territory which the Gov
ernment is about TO acquire are not fit for
citizenship. Mr.. Nelson said that the same
was true Of the people of much of the ter
ritory already acquired by the United
States at the time it was taken possession
Of by this country. The people of the
Louisiana territory, he said when it was
acquired. were not fitted for citizen.hip
and the same reasoning might have been
as aptly applied then.
Mr.. Nelson cited the case of Cross versus
Harrison. in the 18th Howard, which grew
out of the Mexican war and referred to
California. The syllabus recited that the
territory was conquered by the armies of
the United States early in 1871; that the
President of the United States. as the con-
stitutiOnal cOmmander-inc chief Of the army
and navy. authorized the naval and mill
| tary forces to exercise the belligerent
military government for the territory,
| which held good in time Of peace and until
Congress took the matter in hand.
! The Vest resolution, Mr.. Nelson said,
rested wholly on the decision Of Chief Jus
| tice Tawney in the DredScott case, and
| this decision had never been used as a
| precedent for other decisions by the Su-
preme Court. The whole argument in that
! decision was to prove that the negro had
4
| States. Mr.. Nelson pointed TO England as
an example of the colonial system and de-
I clared, in response to question from Mr..
| Mason, that our civilization was based on
| English principles and laws. and that had
il not been for the cOlonizing spirit OF Eng
, land there would have been no Republic o:
the United States.
4 running debate Of a few minutes du-
ration ensued between Mr.. Nelson and Mr.
Mason, and was taken up. when the latter
Senator left off, by Mr.. Tillman. who asked
! why il was, in view Of recent struggles foi
self government between Norway ant
! Sweden, that the people in Norway were 81
| anxious for self government. but that they
did not wish to give it to others when they
came here.
Mr. Nelson Aroused.
This reference TO his foreign birti
!
Il am not representing either the peopl
or the government of Norway, but am
citizen of the United States and hav
considered myself one ever since / arrive,
at years OF discretion. / am satisfied
however. that the rights and liberties o
the people of Norway We're as great a
those enjoyed by the people of North o
South Carolina"
The Philippines islanders Mr. Nelso
said, We're in a state Of practical slavery
| under the Spanish rule when Admira
Dewey arrived in Manila Harbor. Agui
naldO had agreed. on the payment to hir
by Spain OF a sum equivalent 10 $500 600
half Of which was paid. TO leave the island
and stop the revolution.
The Government of the United State
was now. he declared as lawfully in con
troll OF the Philippine Islands as it was G
the State of Illinois. 1t was the dut
of this country now to protect them. I
give them a just. free and good govern
ment and to keep them out of the clutche
of the great powers OF the earth. II woul
, be the highest cruelty to leave them a
the mercy of any power which Nigh
chose TO attack them.
! Mr. Nelson declared that as We had re
5 lieved the inhabitants OF the Philippines
c Spanish tyranny. 1t is our duty TO protes
them further against anarchy and despot
ism that would result from it. We shoul
breathe into them a political life whic
: would make them into a people capable c
, enjoying the blessings OF 4 free govern
ment.
Mr Hoar-I say amen to all of that
. Mr. Nelson-It is always well TO hav
/. some one in the amen corner.
should Not BE Abandoned.
, Continuing, he said that they were 4
unfit for self government in the sensa this
We had it as perhaps any people on III
face of the earth, and why. at this stag
We should turn them adrift on the politi
% cal seas was more than he could under
stand.
G we must not abandon them to the Gar
'- ger OF anarchy and destruction frorl witt
III, nor the danger Of being swallowed u
by the great powers OF Europe but "
~ are there for two purposes, and under II
Il blessings Of God think the American pee
pie viii accomplish them. namely. to gi,
II them just, fair, and good system Of go'
u crnment.
j. But we cannot do this in a moment NJ
1t IA 4 day. but We will do it. And we al
there TO keep them out OF the hands
u the Spaniards or any Of the great power
d II is to our interest as nation that a a
J. events those islands shall not be the pro-
erty OF any OF the nations. aud if they ci
,c be independent. well and good
to Mr.. Nelson wanted to know who VIC
r that it was not Spanish gold that vi
= AguinaidO's inspiration at the present tim
He said that he was sorry to see people
i; The RaVageS of Grip.
That modern scourge, the Grip, poisuns the
8 with lis fatal germs. 50 that no home is $