New-York tribune., 1899-01-15
A C0NTINENTIL INION.
question

II is best TO he accurate in every phrase. 1t
is Just as easy and it is safer. because an IN
correct phrase expresses an Incorrect idea' ana
that NAV become so imbedded in the mind as
TO lead one day TO incorrect action. An eX-
annie is much in evidence just now Men
sneak of taking Hawaii. or Porto Rico. or the
PHILIPPINES. into the Union" That Is wrong
They have not been taken into the Union, ana
are not going TO be Then why say so!
Let It be kept in mind just what this Union
Is. 1t is a Union Of States, OF equal partners
in National organization. Territory is not
n member of the Union. Kansas and Nebras-
ka and the Dakotds were not 'ln the Union
until they became States. Arizona and New
Mexico are not lin the Union" to-day. They
belong to the Union. that is all. They are no
more members Of it than clerk is member
Of the firm that employs him. Some day ne
NAV be taken into partnership in the firm.
That is n matter wholly within the discretion
of the existing members OF the firm. So these
Territories may some time be taken into the
partnership Of States. That Is a matter wholly
within the discretion Of the existing states
Until then it Is gross misnomer 10 SPEAK oi
any Territory as being 'in the Union.
The question is now and then raised whe'her
any Of the new possessions of this tnion' or
any lands that may hereafter come into It's pos
session. shall be admitted to partnership IN the
National firm. 1t Is hinted that Porto Rico.
which we now own, would make snug ht'ie
State. and that one of these days Cuba having
learned the art of self government az an III
dependent republic may make overtures TOT
such admission TO the Union. 10 all such ques-
tions there is only one answer compatible with
National dignity, welfare and principle. Ihat
IS an emphatic and lnfexible NO.
Ours is a continental Union of States, con-
tlcuous and homogeneous. We want no outi!-
ing mariners scattered about the oceans OF the
globe. Other weaker peoples have lookcd 10
This Nation for succor from tyranny and for In
struction in the art OF free government 1his
Nation does not want TO call them IN to help
govern it. Massachusetts does not need the aio
of the Creoles and muattoes o. CUBA Nlrglha
docs not want to 90 into council on State affairs
with the Kanakas If Hawaii The CONSTITUTION
NJ the United States will stand without beihg
pxpounded or defended by Tagal statesmen
Our Industries and commerce Will prosper WIFI
ont coolle control. The destiny or this Natioh'
whatever II Is to be. Is not TO be worked out
bv fragments Of forgotten peoples from the
islands of the sea.
THE annexation Of the Philippines. or other
outIvinc lands, may properly be discussed. but
not the taking Of them Into the Union Ihey
ore not TO be taken into the Union, neither now
nor hereafter. The possessions Of the Union
may be in both hcmispheres and every zone'
thc members of the Union must be on the
North American Continent. We may mold fer
ritorles or colonies or protectorates or wnat you
will. ve shall have no State Of Hawaii, or or
Cuba or Of Palawan. We may find II our duty,
for time or permanently, 10 provide an orderly
ond stable government for them. But we shall
novar invite these remote islands TO assist In
governing us.