The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-24
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Mr.. whites Speech Against Expansion
Several Interruptions.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-Discussion of
the policy of expansion occupied nearly all
the time of the Senate in open session to-
day. Mr. White, of California, one of the
Democrats who has announced heretofore
his opposition to ratification of the treaty
Of peace, addressed the Senate in support of
the anti-expansion resolution introduced by
Mr.. Vest CDem., Mo-, and of the resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Bacon Dem, Ga.) de-
claring that the Filipinos ought to be free
and independent Mr.. White is a brilliant
speaker, and he was complimented by his
colleagues and a large audience in the gal
leries with careful attention. He did not
enter into constitutional argument, but
confined himself to a discussion of expan-
sion as the policy of this government. He
maintained that such a policy was con-
trary to the fundamental principles of this
country, to its history and traditions. He
declared his opposition to the ratification
of the pending treaty of peace, but broadly
intimated that declaration of definite pol
icy ON the part of the administration would
very much simplify the situation, and as
a matter of good faith ought not to be an
tagonized by the advocates of the treatys
ratification.
Mr.. White took as texts for his remarks
certain paragraphs from Supreme Court
decisions, q sentence from President Nc
Kinleys Atlanta speech and a paragraph
from the report of Admiral Dewey to the
Navy Department, saying that the Filpinos
were as well qualified for self-government
as the Cubans. He said that he had no
intention of discussing the question from a
legal standpoint, if such discussion would
serve no useful purpose. 1.-The views of sem
or ,of 10
strate the futtltty of endeavOring to secure
accord upon that point" He said that he
denied the doctrine that seeks to give this
country jurisdiction in some cases and de-
MED 1t in others. The country, he said was
confronted to-day by a situation differing
entirely with that with which it had been
confronted at any time before. While it
might be admitted that we had the power to
acquire foreign territory, whether we should
do so depended largely on the circumstances
He maintained that the question presented
was one purely of policy. Should we take
the philippines? he asked. Should we take
in seeds that would prove to be seeds of dis
solution of our body polite? He thought
not, and said he would endeavor to show
why we should not, for we believed it our
duty to act that our system will be kept free
from all such contamination
MEANING OF ASSIMILATION"
Mr. White then referred to the Presidents
statement that our attitude toward the
Philippines was to be lone of benevolent as
similation.'
Mr.. Chandler, interrupting Mr.. White.
said: THE other day when this benevolent
assimilation bugbear was raised before the
Senate 1 took occasion to look up the def
milton given by Mr.. Webster of assimila-
ton If the senator will permit me- it
means a resemblance, a likeness. but not
necessarily aInalgamation or absorption
After indicating just what the definition is
Mr.. Chandler said: 1T is not fair argu-
ment to say that the word means 'absorp-
ton, or to assume the President used it IN
that sense"
Does the senator speak for the President
with authority" inquired Mr.. White. Does
he know what the President meant when he
Undoubtedly" replied Mr.. Chandler,
blandly, 1.-The President thinks as 1 do if he
is wise man, and think he is. The Pres
ident thinks we ought to bring these people
into a reasonable likeness to us, but not
necessarily to incorporate them, and l hope
the senator will not lay too much stress on
the expression benevolent assimilation -
If the senator can assure u.s., replied
Mr.. White, that he speaks with authority
as to the utterance of the President, | may
rot have a high regard for the definition,
but l might have more respect for the FOL
icy involved
quite naturally" said Mr.. Chandler, Il
am not and could not be responsible for the
Presidents definition of his words. This
word assimilation does not mean destruc-
ton or swallowing up, but 1t does mean
likeness, identity etc.
1T would certainly take long time re-