The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-10
Nhf 1leySq Of Washington

WASHINGTON. Feb. 9.-(Special.)-The e1-
pected mas happened the treaty has
been ratified. Luckily. the consum-
nation occurred in secret session !;
and Z so the publio has been, furnished
with a full description of the particulars by
those enterprising and indefatigable reporters
the senators themselves.
Between German and Davis. the Democrats
and Republicans, the honors are far from
easy. The former has carried out we'll
considered and logical plan; the latter has
jumped from subterfuge to expedient, sacri-
fcing every means to accomplish the end.
The treaty has been ratified, not on account
Of but in spite Of the Philippines. The coun-
try is weary Of the Spanish war; and demand
ed definite end to it OF the senate. But the
aftermath remains, the issue which must be
fought out on the field Of national politics.
whether or not the United States shall main
tain sovereignty over unwilling, alien
people, distant 1000 miles from It's shores
and in bringing this issue to discussion and
sharp relief German has been successful.
The Republicans have been forced to tenn
porize and take water repeatedly. Even For
aker and Nelson predict an ultimate inde-
pedence for the Filpinos, while Spooner,
who so ably represents the vestige Of sound
conservatism which fingers In the party
showed that coercion was repugnant alike to
conscience and good reason. 1t Is impossible
to say how many who voted for the treaty
agreed with him, but their number was more
than sufficient to defeat It, had ratification
been thought to be the adoption Of an aggres-
sve policy
In the review Of this notable senatorial de-
bate, which has consumed the greater part
of the session. 1t is generally conceded that
the Democrats have had the better Of the
argument. The last Elow which German
leveled at the scheme fairly staggered the
imperalists. Reference in plenty has been
made in the senate to the sober second
thought of the common people, to the re-
pugnance Of the constitution, to the memories
of our own struggles for independence to
moral and religious obligations; but until
German spoke nothing had been said about
the effect Of annexation upon labor. What
will organized labor think, what will organ
lied labor do, if the doors of this country are
opened to a horde of low-priced laborers
with whom our people could not and would
not If they could assmilate? Already the
campaign Of 1900 has become matter of
grave concern to the friends of the admins
tration. What will become of US. they mur-
mur, If in addition to Agerism, the treat
ment of Gen. Miles and Admiral Schley,
embamed beef, the hospital horrors, the in
crease Of the regular army, the encourage
ment of trusts, we have to face an alien and
pagan competition infinitely more extensive
and dangerous than Chinese cheap labor
could ever have been?
No, the battle against Imperialism has not
yet been fought the ratification CT the treaty
was not even a skirmish. 1t was outside of
the matter, detail of victory which demand
ed attention. And there Is not only amaze
ment. but modification in store for those
short-sighted ones who dare claim that Mon
days vote meant that the United States shall
take UP the white mans burden" of rum.
disease aud death.
The reception of the news In the house
showed that ratification simply regarded
as the foregone conclusion Of the Spanish
war. There was no excitement; there was
no applause. The census bill was under
consideration. when two three members
cried out: THE treaty is ratified" Then
desire to ask, = said Representative Marsh
Of Illinois. rising with much solemnity.
whether this census bill Is designed to cover
the people of the Philippine islands," Where
at the house roared, as it SO easily does over
any joke that escaped in the ark and ra-
sumed its boisterous pretense at delibera-
ton.
Meanwhile. the piper must be paid. This
item appears in the sundry civil appropri-
alton bill: For the purpose of carrying out
the obligations Of the treaty between the
United States and Spain. concluded at Paris
on Dec. 10. 1898, to become Immediately avail
able upon the exchange Of the ratifications
of said treaty. $20.0OO,O0O.'
The sundrx civil hll 4 4 aoEt as omnlum