The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-01-21
Mckinley as a Usurper

Senator Gray, OF DelaWiTe- was oiiSo e
garded as one of the staunchest Democrats IN
the country, but his recent course has greatly
shaken public confidence in his Democracy.
Passing over the facts that he was delegate
TO the Democratic national convent on IN
1896. his subsequent Reputation of both the
candidates and platform and his support OF
mongrel ticket, we come TO his course on
matters connected with or growing out OF me
war with Spain. Mr.. Gray was one OF the
Peace Commissioners on the part OF the
United States-the emily Democrat on the
conimisson-and he seems to have fallen IN
with some of the ideas of imperialism, which
are Numerically opposite to the teachings OF
Democracy.
In a speech at public reception given
Senator GRAY. at his home in Wilmington,
last Saturday evening, he said
Il belong to a different political
party. but | should be false to my
sense of Justice and 10 that PRIDE
which feel as an American II did
not declare my confidence IN the
patriotism and purity Of purpose OF
William Mckinley. He Is no usar-
per of power. no stranger 10 Amer-
can institutions.
RMr. Mckinley is not usurper, by what
authority does he hold the Philippines, Porto
Rico, Guam and the Salus ? War was made
upon Spain for the sole purpose OF making the
Spanish government relinquish It's authority
and control over Cuba, and for the restora-
tioa of stable government in that island;
Sl Ia the
world any intention OF territorial aggrandize-
ment. Mr. Mckinley himself said that torel-
BILE possession would be criminal aggression.
Mr.. Mckinley, therefore, did not get an
thority to hold the Philippines aud ether
Spanish islands from any act of Congress,
nor ,cere the taking Of the islands necessary e
the liberation of Cuba. After the destruction
of the Spanish fleet in the harbor OF Mania.
the United States fleet should have left. And
there was no necessity of sending an ARMY 20
Porto Rico. There was no authorization by
Congress to do 50. aud il was wholly without
the declaration Of war. and expressly contrary
10 II. Ii Mr.. Mckinley. therefore, has not
usurped power, it is difficult to understand
what lIsurpation is. :.
Nor is this all. Under the Constitution the
Senate is a part of the treaty power, ~ that
no treaty is complete without senatorial sane
lion. and the Senate has the power to alter
amend or reject treaties. Being part ct the
treaty power the Senate IS entitled to all pos
sible information regarding treaty, IN erder
that it may act intelhgently and for the 9es'
interests of the country. Senator Hoar o.
f.red resolution. which the Senate passed,
asking the President TO furnish the Senate
with the instructions given the Peace Com
missioners. il not incompatible with the pne-
lie interests Mr. Mckinley declined TO fur
nish the information. He had the right p
decline, but the people generally think he
should not have done 80, and the Senaie
thinks 40, for the Hoar resolution was passed
unanimously. Mr.. McKinley's reason for
withholding the information could be nothing
less than an iadisposition 10 let the people
known, through the Senate, that he hdd
previously 70 entering upon peace negotiations
settled upon a policy Of imperialism
Further. Mr. Mckinley has usurped power
by undertaking to sci up governments u at
the Spanish possessions where United States
forces have secured footing. Where does
he get this authority If be is not stepping
beyond bis powers, we have very imperfect
conception of the Constitution.
Again, Mr. McKinley i ignoring the United
States Senate. and Is forging ahead 70 con
sammate his policy Of Imperialism. 70 enlarge
the army and navy, and 70 grasp FIRMLY the
late possessions of Spain.
Without waiting for the Senate to ratity the
treaty. he has through the military governors
he has set up without warrant, issued proeia-
nations of the purposes Of the United Stttes-
He tells the people Of the Philippines for
instance, that We have only benevolent I'M
teniions toward them, which in reality i
porpose to take forcible possession cf their
territory and set up government over them
10 be administered by broken down political
hacks the Republican party has 10 use for a
home.
The President tells the Fillipiuos that
.'with the signature Of the treaty Of peace
between the United States and Spain by their
respective plepipeteniiaries Of Paris. and as
the result of the victories At the American
arms. the future control, disposition and gov
eminent Of the Philippine Islands are coded
TO the United States.
This is not true, unless Mr. Mckinley iu
tends to ignore the Senate and usurp power.
The future control, disposition and govern
ment of the Philippine Islands have not
been ceded to the United States. Spain has
simply agreed 10 sell the islands FIR f,renfg
uiRions Of dollars The agreement is not
completed until the Senate r'ities the treaty
and the Congress appropriates the purchase
money.
IF Mr.. Mckinley is not usurper, We fail
to comprehend what asurpatiou j.. Every
power he has exercised outside Of Cuba, with
the exception of the direction Of the destrae
ton of the Spanish feet At Manila, has been
exercised without warrant. And his course
lately looks like he intends to carry ont his
policy of territorial expansion with or with
out Senatorial or Congressional sanction.
The situation is grave one. The issue )
the most momentous in the history Of the
United States. Now is the time to call a halt,
retrace our steps and for the people to resume
their former position as the source OF power
Every Senator who supports the policy of i'm
perialism should be retired to private life, aud
the members ofthe House OF Represent atives.
and Mr.. Mckinley and his Cabinet, 100.
Commission to Agents.
II A Mnnsn,. Tia nnhliShar rnrnnll n