Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-01-19

Cuba are in q condition TO realize
those ideals at the present time. No
more are the Philippines capable, now
unaided, of achieving self government
and u stable condition of liberty regu-
lated by law. To take from Spain hor
titular sovereignty will not prevent,
but will tho rather promote, disposi-
tion of tho whole question in conform
ity with the patriotic impulses of the
/ American people.
/ THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.
That we have the right to acquire
territory by conquest or treaty under
the Constitution, and that uncondi-
tiopally, cannot be successfully dis
puted No more can it be denied that
the Constitution has left to Congress
the power and authority to govern the
territory SO acquired. That the fathers
in framing the Constitution left this
great power of national sovereignty
almost without trammel or restraint to
tho Federal gvernmeht, is surely not
without Significance. In addition to
such scant restraint in the exercise of
these powers as may be found expressed
| il the Constitution, Or its amendments,
they arc manifestly trusted to the wis,
dom, patriotism and the high sense Of
I | Vi tlG "A pDoplb
to dell with each case as occasion re-
quired rs it arose. Neither the Presi-
dent nor the treaty made by his author
ity, trainmels the freedom of action of
4 the American people, or of the Con-
gress, in administering this high trust
on the lines prescribed by righteous
ness, and honorable observance of the
great and fundamental principles of
government enunciated in the Declara
tion of Independence. 1t is because we
are anxious that we have some assnr-
ance that the future will not be with
out the guidance of wisdom. We are
anxious because we love our country
and would preserve its ideals.
1 No country, and this country least of
all, can afford to trample on its ideals.
! have no fear that it will do so.
Without assuming for q moment any
right TO speak for the President, 1
think l can assure you with some
knowledge whereof ! speak, that he
fully appreciates the duties and respon-
sibilities of the situation, and that he
4 is committed to no policy calculated to
discourage, much less strike down, the
aspirations of liberty loving people all
over the world. belong to a different
political party, but should be false to
my sense of Justice, and to my pride as
an American if / did not declare my
confidence in the patriotism and purity
of purpose of William Mckinley, Presi-
dent OF the United States. Great APP
plause. He is no usurper of power,
no stranger to American institutions,
but one of the American people called
to his high office by their suffrage, and
it would be strange indeed if he did
not share to the fullest extent in the
love of the Constitution and the priD-
ciples that underlio it. When less than
this can be truthfully said of a Presi-
dent of the United States. it will be
the beginning of the end to our great
career rs a nation. But the solution
of the problem which confronts us, is
not with the President. When the
adopted without the sanction of Com
gress. And the whole American people
will determine, through their represen-
tatives, what relation we shall sustain
to the Philippines. Shall we hold SOW
ereignty in trust for their people, as we
4 will do in Cuba, or shall we, with their
consent, establish a protectorate over
them, or govern them as We will the
island of Porto Rico? All these impor-
tant questions will properly come up
for determination after the ratification
of the treaty | will not entertain the
fear that the American people will not
stand by the principles of the Consti-
tuition and the Declaration, that they
will not curb the ambition of territor-
ial aggrandizement and exhibit to the
world an example of moderation, JUS
tice and self-restraint that will be
worth to us in moral strength all the
islands of the sea. America has found
II. IL ksxI
side the downtrodden of other lands
and make. them participate in the glori-
GUS inheritance.
In referring to the meeting of the
Peace Commission, he said that the
courteous, dignified Spanish commits
sioners fought every inch of the ground.
To their diplomacy the American com
missioners opposed the plain, straight
forward, truthtelling methods pursued
through our history. ''We none of us
forgot" said the Senator. "that we
were representing our country as Il
A solidarity, and we showed a solid front
to our aiversaries. ~ This excited en-
thusiasm.
Speaking of the courses open to us at
Manila, he declared that had we with
drawn Dewey's feet and Merritt's
army, and allowed Spain to rule the
people of those islands, all the world
1 would cry i'shame,' and America has
never heard that cry Justly shouted at
her. When the commission was in ses
4 sion, a young man, representing Agui
naldo, came before it. He was asked
what would happen if America should
retire from the islands. He replied
"All Europe would be there ON the
morrow" not to upraise, not to Chris
tianize, not to enlighten, but to seize
and govern and trample under foot
For q while, said the Senator, it
looked as if peace would not be secured,
but by concessions, patience, careful
| analysis of the situation, it was agreed
that the sovereignty of Spain in the
islands should be transferred to the
United States
In his reference 10 Cuba, Senator
Gray said: God hasten the day when
| the flag Of Free Cuba shall wave over
1 an Independent nation, and a now star
shall be in the armament and % new
nation be born, but they need the
strong sustaining hand of tho American
people before they can havo power to
govern themselves, and what is TO Ere
vent tho American people, through
| their representatives in Congress,
doing the same thing in regard to the
Philippines?
Touching upon Senator Hoar's
speech, Senator Gray said that he had
uttered great words which all tend TO
show what the policy of this country
will be after the treaty is ratified.
In conclusion, the Senator said
| And now ,rentlomen of tho Ronrd cf