Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-28

knows that there Is no American in all
| this broad land who wishes any other
rate To any single native of the Philip
pine islands than his free enjoyment of
| prosperous life. He knows that close
in the wake of American rule there
would come TO the Filipinos liberty
tnat they have never known and far
greater liberty than they could ever
have under the arrogant rule of u ma
tive dictator. He knows. moreover. that
1t would be self rule, the rule of the
islanders to the full extent of their
capacity III that direction, and that
each successive American President
would welcome the time when he could
recommend new leases of self-govern-
ment 10 an advancing and improving
people. The FiliDinos may not know
these things yet. but every American
Senator knows them and puts himself
and his country I'm false position
when by attributing the spirit of con-
quest and aggression to those whose
policy has rescued the Filininos from
Spain and would now rescue them from
native tyrants. he encourages them to
doubt the generous sentiment of our
people. do'not say that these consid-
crationS arc absolutely conclusive of
our right and duty 10 assume the direct
and exclusive government of the Phil
ippipcs. for VIC have our own interests
to think about. hut certainly they for
bid the use on this floor of any arGu-
mont which tends to impcril the safety
of our troops at Manila. or which adds
one whit to the embarrassment of the
administration in the trying situation
by which 1t is confronted.
WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO.
MIR President. l do not know. and I
| don't think anyone else can know. just
what ought To he done with the Philip
pine islands beyond that we ought as
instantly as POSSIBLE to complete the
Withdrawal of their sovereignty from
the kingdom of Spain, and that we
ought ourselves To assume it's obliga
tons and prudently to discharge them
until we have had full opportunity in
our councils to determine their best dis
position. This is all that the treaty of
Paris proposes or imposes. 1t is all that
the administration has at any time
suggested. 1t is no more than a safe
and conservative policy advises. Ii is no
less than our public obligati tons re-
quire. 1t is u plain, clear. positive duty.
1t Is one of those duties that are not
to he got rid Of by evasion nor even
by denial. 1t would remain after you
had rejected the treaty. 1t lies in the
nature of the situation. Your army
your navy and flag are at Manila. You
can add To their dangers If YOU will.
hut their duty abides. and the will OF
the nation must be done"
REQUESTS AND OBJECTIONS.
Before Mr.. Platts speech Mr.. Mason
Qllinois) asked unanimous consent for
Il vote on his resolution, declaring it to
be the policy of the United States not
to attempt to govern the people of any
other nation, next Friday at l o'clock.
Mr. Carter (Montana) objected.
y like request was made by Mr.. Hoar
with respect to his resolution declar-
ing that the Filipinos ought to be free
and independent.
Mr.. Carter again entered an objec-
ton, expressing at the same time his
regret at what he regarded his duty
in entering the objection.
Mr.. Carter understood, he said. that
the resolutions pending in the Senate
| on the expansion question had been
presented as texts upon which Senators
would base remarks. He thought it
proper that the several resolutions lie
on the table until late in the session In
order that all who so desired might
submit remarks upon them.
A RESOLUTION.
The following resolution was offered
by Mr.. Sullivan (MississippD, who
asked that it lie on the table:
THAT the ratification of the pending
treaty with Spain shall in no wise de-
termine the policy to be pursued by the
United States i'll regard To the Phil
ippines, nor shall it commit this Gov
eminent To a colonial policy; nor is it
intended 10 emblrraSss the establish
ment of stable independent govern
mcnt by the people of those islands
when conditions make such proceeding
hopeful of successful and desirable re-
suits"
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Platte
speech notices of speeches on the ex-
parsion question were given by MIR.
Money (MisSissippD for next Friday,
and Mr.. Chiffon (Texas) for Saturday.
February 4th
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS.
Mr.. Fairbanks Undiana) precipitated
some discussion by statement, which
he submitted at this point with respect
to the anti-eXpanSionst propag anda.
lie said that on Thursday certain clip
pings from agricultural newspapers
from various parts of the country were
inserted in the Record.
"There is Il very systematic and
subtle attempt to mislcad the people OF
the country with respect to the ques-
ton of expansion" said Mr.. Fairbanks,
land the Agricultural papers are being
used rs a medium for this misnfor-
nation"
Mr.. Fairbanks said that he had been
cretlibly informed that Mr.. Herbert
MYrick. the editor OF an agricultural
ilHNspaper at Springfield. Mass. had
sent to agricultural newspapers
throughout the country the letter OF
Andrew Carnegie To Secretary Wilson
in opposition To expansion. and had
urged them 10 print it and comment
favorably upon it. the space In their
l. ~. al