The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-05
GIVE THE INSTRUCTION.
PROMPTLY.

PROMPTLY.
Senator Perkins has addressed a long
letter to the two houses of the Legis-
lature, asking it to instruct him how to
vote upon the question of the ratifca-
ton of the treaty with Spain. He
holds that, no matter what his personal
views-which he sets forth at length
regarding the expansion policy, it is his
duty to vote for California as the State
directs.
It is not necessary to recapitulate the
reasons advanced by the Senator why
he wishes to be instructed to vote
against the treaty. The letter has
been given in full in these columns.
The Legislature should issue its in
structions to both the California SEN
ators at once to vote for the treaty
and to uphold the Administration pol
icy, since nothing is clearer than the
fact that the State of California is I'M
hesitatingly in favor Of ratification OF
the treaty and retention Of our new
possessions.
The objections raised by Senator Per-
kins will not in any respect modify pub
lie opinion on this coast relative to
expansion, since all such arguments
proceed upon assumptions as to what
will or may happen If the nation pur-
sues the policy of retention of the ORR
entail possessions and the West Indian
islands ceded to us under the treaty.
These assumptions do not represent
facts, but theories, timid fears, and a
DDS rather than follow the inevitable
lead Of destiny.
If the sentimental question concern
ing the advance of civilization is to be
cast out of consideration wholly, there
remains for the State of California the
selfish one Of her own interest-and
that is not antagonistic to the general
best interests of the nation The adj
vantages to US of acquisition are in
Vulnerable and indisputable. They are
too well understood here to need de-
tailed reorganization. The commercial
possibilities Of the Pacific empire, as it
may be fifty termed. to flow from the
permanent establishment Of the flag in
the Philippines, promise to US countless
advantages, in which the honor and the
profit Of the whole nation will be re-
flected
We hold that trade will follow the
flag of the country, that the natural
evolution Of our growth indicates the
new opportunity presenting to be a
natural motor in the destiny Of the
the American people. We have per-
feet faith in the ability of the repub-
lie to control and govern wisely and
well the new possessions, and entertain
no fears that industrial conditions will
be endangered by the competition Of
the labor of the Filipinos. On the con-
trary, we in California believe that the
opening up of the new region to the
arts and virility Of American civiliza-
ton will mean for US new markets. by
reason of increased desires prompted
by improved tastes and conditions
dlnOuS the people OF the philippines
where for hundreds of years ignorance
superstition and semi-siavery have kept
the inhabitants in a condition antago
nistic to and prohibitory of progress
and uplifting.
We hold that whatever new element
Of competition in industrial fields NAV
arise from closer contact with these
possessions will be more than Offset w
the impetus to be given the develop
ment Of our merchant marine. and the
enlarged opportunities the acquisition
will give US to trade with the world
upon scale never before attempted
The Orient, Siberia and Asia generally
are opening to us now, if we but i'm
prove the opportunity and do not permit
European commercial influences to
wholly dominate in those parts.
The great commerce of the future is
to be between the shores washed by
the waters of the Pacific Ocean, and
the greater part OF the benefits Of that
commerce will accrue to California, II
We seize the opportunity the hap Of