The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-10-13
Gin. Com. Tribune
JUDGE VESTS UNANSWERED
LETTER.

| The Democratic platform adopted at
GAINESVILLE, and Immediately put on the
shelf as q very good thing to forget,
declared "unalterable opposition to i'm
perialism in the United States of
America" Another resolution stated
that the Democracy profoundly re-
GREETED that the American soldiers are
being unlawfully used in the name of
liberty to crush and destroy dawning
republicanism in the Orient"
Judge William H. West, "the blind
man eloquent" of Ohio, some time ago
addressed to the Democratic candidate
for Governor of Ohio letter, in which
he discussed these two features from
the standpoint of lawyer. By prece-
dent and conclusion logically drawn
therefrom he let in the light of reason
upon this confusion of sound.
Judge West recited history to this
poorly informed Democratic leader.
BY treaty with President Jefferson
on April 30, and ratified by the United
States Senate on October II, 1903, the
Republic of France ceded to the Re
public of the United States, without the
consent of it's people, the Territory of
Louisiana. Immediately thereafter Cen
erals Clayborne and Wilkinson occu-
pied the territory with a military force.
They did so by direction of the Presi-
dent, who at the same time ordered the
militia of Ohio and Kentucky to CO.
operate with the army in quelling in
surrection and suppressing resistance.
On March 26, 1904 Congress, without
consulting the wishes or asking the
consent of the governed, provided for
the organization of Territorial gov
ernment. The President was authorized
to appoint Territorial Governor and
to appoint a Legislature of thirteen
persons.
BY treaty concluded with President
Monroe, on February %, 1919, and rati-
fed by the Spanish Cortes in 1921,
Spain ceded Florida to the United
States. Immediately thereafter, with
out the consent of its people, General
jackson took military possession of the
Territory, chastising alike Spanish
bandits and Seminole Indians. The
President appointed a Governor and
Legislature.
In 1S4S, as a result of the war, the
Republic of Mexico ceded to the United
States, without the consent of their
pc ople, New Mexico, Arizona and the
CALIFORNIA;. Two years before this
treaty was signed President Polk took
armed possession of these Territories
and established a military government,
declaring in his message: 'By the laws
of nations, conquered country is sub
ject to be governed by the conqueror
during his military possession and un-
til there is treaty of peace" The
military governments established by
Polk continued to exercise their func
tions after the treaty of cession, with
out the consent of the governed, until
September, 1850, when Congress pro
vided Territorial governments.
In the course he has pursued in the
philippines President Mckinley GER
tainly has the support of these exceed
ingly Apostle precedents. He is il
line with Jefferson, Monroe and Polk
and, in establishing military govern
ment in the Philippines and in suppress
ing insurrection, has simply performet
the duty enjoined upon him by the con
stitution.
In view of these facts, Mr.. West ask
Mr.. Mclean and Mr.. Bryan: "Unti
Congress shall have taken action woul'
either of you, if President, order tn
withdrawal of the troops from and tn
abandonment of Puerto Pico or tn
Philippines? This is the question a
ISSUE"
Mr.. Mclean has had opportunity t
answer this question, but he has no
done so, although his party in Obi
awaits his answer.