The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-28
AGAINST COLONIAL POLICY.
DEMOCRATS RESOLVE TO GIVE
FILIPINOS A GOVERNMENT.

Resolutions Passed by Minority Dis
claiming Any Idea of Permanent
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Resolution to
stand by the Boys in Blue Also
Went ThrOugh-LivingstO ResO-
luton Did Not Suit the Caucus.
Gen. wheeler Entered Into the
Discussion.
Washington, Feb. 27.-At meeting Of
Democratic members of the House of Rep
resentatives, held in the hall tonight the
following declaration of policy and reso.u-
tons as TO the Philippines was adopted;
I'VE hold that the constitution of the
United States was ordained and establish
ed for an intelligent, liberty-loving and
self-governing people, and cannot be sue
cessfully applied to a people of different
virtues and conditions. We therefore hold
that a colonial policy is contrary TO the
theory of our government and subYer-
sive to the great principles of civil liberty
which we have been taught to cherish
We believe with the Declaration of indie
pendence that all governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the. gov
erned and we are unalterably opposed TO
the establishment of any government by
the United States without the consent OF
the people to be governed, and in con-
formity with these principles, we instruct
the minority members of the foreign af
fairs committee to introduce and urge the
following resolution:
To Give Them a Governments.
{" Resolved, That the United States here
by disclaim any disposition or intention to
exercise permanent sovereignty, jurisdic-
ton or control over the Philippine Islands,
ana assert their determination
when an independent government
shall have been erected therein,
to transfer TO said government
upon terms which shall be reasonable and
Just, all rights secured under the cession
by Spain, and thereupon TO leave the gov
eminent and control of the islands TO their
people"
Another resolution, by Mr.. Griggs of
Georgia, was adopted as follows:
1--WE, the Democratic members of the
House of Representatives, in caucus as
sembled, commend the signal loyalty and
valor of our soldiers and sailors in the per-
Torrance of every military duty to which
they have been assigneYb by proper author
lily, however MUCH we may QSptOIC lnS IOl-
icy of the administrator now directing
their movements: and we pledge to them
our hearty support and sympathy under
all circumstances wherever engaged
LivingstOn's Resolution Lost.
Georgia, was lost:
Resolved, That the United States Con-
gress as soon as the treaty of peace be-
tween this government and Spain is rat
flied give notice to the inhabitants of the
Philippines that it is not our desire or
purpose to hold them under permanent
military control or as a colonial subject,
and as soon as practicable to aid them to
establish a republican form of govern
ment and become Independent and self
sustaining with such commercial and mil
itary privileges from the United States
as may be agreed on between us. In the
meantime we shall protect both persons
and property with the largest liberty to
citizens possible under the circumstances"
The meeting began at 8 o'clock p m. and
lasted until nearly midnight. The attend
ance was large, and little division of SEN
timent was manifested on the general
features of the resolutions. The first res
olution was offered by Mr.. Clark of Mis-
souri, from the Democratic members of
the foreign affairs committee, and was the
text of most of the speeches.
Support for the Soldiers.
Among those who spoke were Repre-
sentattves Bailey of Texas, Allen of Mis-
sissippi, Gaines of Tennessee, Wheeler of
Alabama, Lentz of Ohio, and Cowherd of
Missouri
The speech of Gen. Wheeler was notable
in differing from the prevailing view. He
urged that nothing should be done which
could be construed as a lack of support to
our soldiers. The hands of the President
should be upheld, he said. when fighting
was going on. AS a matter of expediency,
also, he urged that the party should not
oppose the war. Wars were popular, he
declared, and at the present time, the
spirit of the people was shown by the
fact that every boy had his drum and
sword, while the mothers were proud of
this patriotic spirit.
The votes were practically unanimous
on the two resolutions adopted, and the
Livingston resolution was defeated by a
large majority.
TWO ACCIDENTS IN AUGUSTA.