New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-16

the philippines. We bought nobody there. We held
the Philippines FIRST by the right by which we
held our own original thirteen states-the Oldest
and'frmest OF all rghts-the right by which nearly
every great nation holds the bulk OF its territory
the right OF conquest. We held them again al a
rightful indemnity, and q low one. for war In
which the vanquished could give no other We
bought nothing; and the twenty millions that ac-
companied the transfer just balanced the Philippine
debt That payment was recognition OF the sound
rule OF international law, obeyed now in the prac
tice OF all civilized nations. that where debts have
been incurred by mother country Iegitimately for
the benefit OF a colony they follow the colony when
ITS sovereignty is transferred. But Jefferson did, II
you choose accept the hypercritical interpreta-
ton OF these latter-day Observation-Disclosures did
buy the Louisianians-even like sheep in the sham
bles, IL you care so to describe It, and did proceed
10 govern them without the consent OF the gov
erned Monroe bought the Floridians without their
consent Polk conquered the Californians. and
Pierce bought the New-Mexicans Seward bought
the Russians and Alaskans. and have governed
them ever since without their consent Is II easy,
In the face OF such facts to preserve your respect
for criticism so obviously csptious that based
the phrase from the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence?
Nor is the turn Senator Hoar gives the constltu
tional objection much more weighty In that he
wishes TO take account Of motives and into the
purpose OF those concerned in any acquisition OF
territory. before the tribunals decide whether II
National defence or 10 be made State the act Is
constitutional; otherwise If. then Jefferson in
tended to make State out of Idaho. his act In
acquiring that part OF the Louisiana Purchase was
all right Otherwise he violated the Constitution he
had helped to make and sworn TO uphold. And yet,
poor man. ne hardly knew OF the existence OF that
part of the territory. and certainly never dreamed
that It would become a State. any more than
Daniel Webster drea med, 10 quote his own IAN
guage in the Senate, that California would ever be
worth dollar" Is Governor Norris 10 be ar
raigned as false to the Constitution he helped 10
frame because he wanted TO acquire Louisiana and
Canada. and keep them both out OF the Union?
Did Mr.. Seward betray the Constitution and vio-
late his oath in buying Alaska without the purpose
bf making IT State? It seems let II be said with
all respect. that have reached the reducto ad
absurdum, and that the constitutional argument In
any of It's phases need not be further pursued.
THE LITTLE AMERICANS
II have wearied you with these detailed proofs
OF a doctrine which Mr.. Justice Morrow rightly
says is now well established and these replies 10
its assailants. the apology must be found in the
persistence with which the utter lack of Consti-
tutional power to deal with our new possessions
has been vociferousy urged from the outset by the
large class OF our people whom venture TO desfg
nate the Little Americans-using that term not
in the least in disparagement but solely as dis
tinctive and convenient. From the beginning OF
had these Little Americans. They opposed Jeffer-
son as 10 getting Louisiana. They opposed Monroe
as to Florida They vehement against Texas,
against California. against organizing Oregon and
Washington, against the Gadsden purchase. against
Alaska end against the Sandwich Islands At near
ly every stage In that long story Of expansion the
Little Americans have either denied the Constitu-
tonal authority to acquire and govern, or de-
nounced the acquisitions as worthless and danger
Gus. At stage, Indeed, they went further
When State after State passing ordinances Of
secession they raised the cry. enormously attrib-
uted TO nv distinguished predecessor and friend.
Horace Greeley, but really uttered by Winfield
Scott "Wayward sisters. depart in peace' Hap
PLY this form too OF Little Amertcanism' failed.
We are all glad nOw-Iny distinguished classmate
here who the gray and invaded Ohio with
Morgan as glad nyself-we all rejoice that
these doctrines were ten opposed and overborne-
1t was seen then and venture to think II may be
seen now that II is a fundamental principle with
the American people, and q duty imposed upon all
who represent them, TO maintal the Continental
Union Of American Independent States in all the
purity OF the fathers conception; TO hold what
belongs to It, and get what It is entitled TO; and
finally that wherever its flag has been rightfully
advanced. there it is TO be kept. If that be i'm
perialism. make the most of 1t!
THE PLAIN PATH OF DUTY.
1t was no vulgar lust of power that inspired the
statesmen and soldiers Of the Republic when they
resisted the hating counsel OF the Little Americans
In the past Nor is II now Far other is the spirit
we invoke
Stern daughter Of the Voice of God.
Duty! If that name thou love
in that name we beg for a study Of what the new
situation that is upon u.s. the new world opening
around demands at our hands.
The people of the United States will not refuse
an appeal In that name They never have They
had been so occupied, since the Civil War. first
In repairing its ravages and then in occupying and
| possessing their Continent, they had been so
little accustomed in this generation or the last TO
even the thought OF foreign war. that one readily
understands why the outset they hardly realized
how absolute is the duty of honorable conqueror
TO accept and discharge the responsibilities OF his
conquest But this IL longer a chld-nation ir-
| responsible in It's homage and Incapable Of COM
pretending assuming the responsibility of its
| acts child that breaks pane of glass or sets
fire TO a house may indeed escape. Are we to plead
The baby act and claim that hounce around
the world breaking international china and burn
ing property and yet repudiate the bill, because
wa have not come OF age? Who dare say that
sef-respecting Power could have sailed away from
Manila and repudiated the responsibilities OF its
victorious belligerency? After going Into war
for Humanity were we so craven that should
sesk freedom from further trouble at the expense
Of Civilizatio
II We did not want those responsibilities ought
not 10 have gone 10 war. and for one would have
been content But. having chosen TO go 70 war and
having been speedily and overW helmingy successful
We should be ashamed even to think OF running
swav from what inexorably followed. Mark what
the successive steps were, and how link by link the
chain that binds now was forged.
The moment war was foreseen, the feet we usual
" have in Chinese waters became Indispensable.
NOT merely as before protect our trade and our
missionaries in China. but 10 checkmate the Span
,sh fleet which otherwise held San Francisco and
.ha whole Pacific Coast at its mercy. When
was declared our feet necessarily ordered out
OF neutral ports. Then It had to go to Manila or
20 home II II went home, It left the whole Pa
cIec Coast unguarded. at the particular point
a. .,,ched. and we should have been at In