The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-03

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Washington, February "A notable
speech was made In the Senate today by
Mr.. Spooner Of Wisconsin. he took fol
HIS text the anti-expapsion resolution
offered by Mr.. Vest but did not confine
himself closely 10 that proposed deolara
tion Of policy. He discussed the question
of expansion In all Of it's phases, and
urged the ratification of the peace treaty
as the best means Of bringing the burning
question home to the people themselves
who, he said, could we'll be trusted or
their sober second thought to do thai
which would be fair, just and generous
toward the Inhabitants of the Philippine
archipelago.
Mr. Spooner spoke for three hours and
through his brilliant orAtory, fine ability
as close and astute reasoner, splendid
qualities as an advocate and adroitness
and cleverness at rspsrtee, held the care
full attention Of an unusually large mum
Der Of Senators and q large audience IN
the galleries. At the conclusion of his
speech he received the warm congrstula-
lions of many of his colleagues notable
among whom was MIR. Tillman OF South
Carolina with whom he had had sharp
personal tilt In the course of his argu-
ment.
Mr.. Spooner maintained that the United
States undoubtedly had the power rs had
been previously shown In the Senate TO
acquire territory beyond our own domain,
and with that power was included of
course the right to govern that territory.
In discussing the assertion that the con
sent of the governed WAS necessary to the
exercise of just powers by the governing
nation. Mr.. Spooner held that the position
assumed by Mr.. Platt that government
received It's just powers from some of the
governed, was correct.
MIR. Spooner declared that much Of the
territory acquired by the United States
had been gained against the will of the
people whom We now govern. He ridi-
culed the iGea that distance could affect
our right to acquire territory. Why
of Porto Rico II there must be- so much
opposition TO taking the philippines
True. the army Of the United States
was welcomed to Porto Rico with open
arms The consent of the Porto Ricans
had not been asked.
Mr.. Bacon replied that the circum-
stances were different because of the
Of Spain in either of the West Indian
islands would be inimical to the United
States
~ thank the Senator for the admis-
sion," responded Mr. Spooner. The
declaration of Independence is to be sus.
pended in the West Indies because 10 is in
the interests OF the United States
mo, not our interests" replied MIR.
Bacon, "our public safety which Is great
er than our interests is affected.
'Our interests are included in our
national safety" said Mr.. Spooner.
1.-The Senator practically admits that
We want Porto Rico because we need II
in our business
Mir Hale made the point that there was
very sharp difference between the two
cases. Porto Rico could be considered as
an indemnity, land of some possible
value to us and not a detriment, an ever
bIighting curse and woe to us-as would
be the Philippines. 1t was not a constieu-
tional question. but question OF policy.
Did not MIR. Spooner see the grave dangery
Responding laconically, MIR. Spooner
said he saw the danger.
Mr. Hoar said that he made no distinc-
ton in the two cases. he took the broad
ground that we are not Justified In at
tempting to govern any people without
their consent.
Rssuming. Mr.. Spooner said that there
of the war an indemnity Is to be taken,
1t must be taken without the consent Of
the people.
MIR Spooner announced his apprehen-
sion OF the policy OF expansion. he said
he was an expansionists to the extent of
wanting to do every thing possible to ex
tend our trade, but he thought that to ao-
quire distant and non-assimil liable people
was the poorest possible means Of getting
1t. He shrank, he said, from the policy
OF making a part Of our land tropical
islands thousands of miles from our
shores land whose people were alien,
not of our blood, who were foreign to our
institutions of tropical climate In which
the white man could not work. He there
fore considered as superficial, sentimental
and fantastic much Of the talk concern
ing the permanent annexation of these
far away islands.
az am not" he said, thrilled by the
jingle about no hauling down the flag
when it has once been raised. 1t has been
hauled down in former times. 1t will be
hauled down again. We will not keep 1t
there, leaving behind it liberty and an
governmental hope this also
may be soon true in the Philippines and
In saying this do not consider am in
consistent"
II the ratification of the treaty involved
permanent dominion he said, he would
not vote for 1t. But he had not been able
to find any halfway resting place be-
tween accepting the cession and abandon
Ing the islands to their fate and this
latter was not permissible The Presi-
dent. kind and generous, as he was.
would not make treaty leaving the
philippines archipelago to the lust. the
savagery and brutality OF Spanish rule.
10 have attempted this course, would
have been to inaugurate rule of anarchy
with all its horrors, and while war was
cruel and bitter, anarchy was hell let
loose on EARTH"
In case Of our abandonment of the
Philippines, Spain would of course re.
assert her rights there. and in case she
was not financially able to accomplish
this purpose, she would find plenty Of as
sistance from other European nations
friendly to her.
In conclusion. MIR. Spencer said that