New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-25
THE PARAMOUNT QUESTION

they
Declaration OF Independence and Of the Con-
stitution will never he In peril
THE PARAMOUNT QUESTION
Holding these views as to our Constitutional
powers. the great question now before the Amer
lean people resolves itself. in my mind to one
policy. surely. There is only one question de-
handing actual and immediate decision now be-
fore Congress and the people. and that is
whether the treaty with Spain shall be ratified
or not The discussion Of the treaty is being
conducted, and 10 my mind properly conducted
behind closed doors. for there is much that must
he said affecting other nations and other peoples
which could not with propriety be said IN pub
lie But the treaty itself has been made public,
and the debate upon these resolutions, taking
vfle range has covered so far as could be fit
tinglv done in open session, the broad question
Of policy involved in the ratification OF the
treaty
| desire merely 10 state very briefly what as
I understand IT, that question is I have heard
no opposition expressed to any part OF the treaty
except such portion OF II relates 10 the Philip
mines and that. therefore Is the sole point upon
which I desire TO touch. In our war with spain
we conquered the Philippines, or, 70 put II more
exactly, We destroyed the power OF spain IN
those islands and took possession Of their capl-
tai The treaty cedes the Philippines 70 us II
is wisely and skilfully drawn. 1t commits US 10
no policy, to course Of action whatever IN re-
gard TO the Philippines. When that treaty IS
ratified we have full power and absolutely
free 70 DO with those islands as we please, and
he opposition 10 its ratification may be summed
up in a single sentence, that the American peo-
ME and the American Congress are not 10 be
trusted with that power and with that freedom
OF action in regard 10 the haoitants OF those
distant islands. Every one Of the resolutions
thus far offered on this subject Is an expression
OF distrust in the character, ability, honesty ana
wisdom OF the American people. and an attemp.
make US promise TO be good ana wise an arp
other people II is a well-meant effort TO make
US give bonds 10 fate by means OF congress
siOnal resolution.
FOR THIS COUNTRY ONLY TO DECIDE
We must either ratify the treaty or reject II
for cannot suppose that any one wouio seii-
ously advance the proposition that we shoulu
amend the treaty IN such way as 10 mans
pledges 10 Spain and 10 Spain alone ano give
bonds 10 Spain. and 10 Spain alone TOT our go
conduct In a matter which VIII De "hO,S 80
own 10 decide Let look then. al the W.
olternatives Suppose we ratify the treaty Inc
islands pass from the possession or SPAN l!'o
our possession without committing US " 80
policy. I believe we can be trusteo az a - ia
70 deal honestly and justly with the lsaHoS c.
their irha Infants thus given TO our care Nio'
our precise policy shall be DO not Know, pc
cause for one am not sufficiently informed as
10 the conditions there 10 be able 70 say VIVA. ~
u-iu ne hest 10 do nor, may add, 90 thlih
anv one is But ! believe that we shall nave tn l
wisdom not to attempt 10 incorporate th0se
Islands with our body polite. or make tnell III
babitan-s mart OF our citizenship or set thelr
i ma o,pnqside NJ ours and within tariff
to compete in any industry with American "oiH-
men. 49,. 70 nat
% danart from those islands fearfully, tim'dY
and unworthily. and leave them 10 Al taoi
among themselves, to the brlef ana poouy
domination Of some sel-cohs tIIute 49, - 80
and 10 the quick conquest OF other Powers VINO
vii have no such hesitation as we should feei
in crushing them iilto subsection by harsh And
ranressive methods II is for us 10 ceclde tle
ines
W. can I, il alone and without assistance. pc
Neve that we shall have the WISDOM me So
restraint and the ability 20 restore peace anu
order in those Islands and give 10 tnel peVF'e
on onnortunify for sshgovernment ano LOT
freedom under the protecting shield OF inc
United States until the time shall come Wheh
they are able to stand alone. II such ming De
possible and II they 90 not themselves oesHe 20
remain under our Qrotecton. ,
This is a great g difficult and noole lask.
7 believe that American CIVILIZATION IS cnt'eN
capa bic Of fulfilling H. and l should not ASVs
that profound faith which | now cherish IN
American civilization and American manhoou
II did not think 50.
THE ATTITUDE OF MASSACHUSETTS
During the campaign OF last autumn said
IN many speeches TO the people OF my State that
I could never assent 10 hand those Islands
back 10 Spain: that wanted no subject re ces
and no vassal States; but that we mad fy the
fortunes OF war assumed a great responsibility
in the Philippines: that we ought 10 meet H.
and that We ought 70 give those people en- oI-
Torrunftv for freedom for peace and Cor self
government: that we ought 20 protect them
from the rapacity OF other nations and seek 10
uplift those whom we had freeo. ron al.ss
views I have never swerved and believed
then as I believe now. that they met with me
appreciation Of an overwhelming majority Of the
people OF Massachusetts.
believe these results can be and Will De 3D.
tanned l cannot forecast the future as so many
others have been able to do. | can but proceed
step by step. and the only step l can see now
10 take is TO ratify the treaty for In that way
alone can we take the islands from Spain and
give ourselves opportunity 70 deal with them
and bring peace and freedom 10 their lnhaol-
tants In such mighty questions as these
think nothing is so vicious as 10 be IN hurry
and attempt 70 discount the unknown future.
Let US determine the question that lies nearest
our hand and then turn TO the next.
EFFECT OF REJECTING THE TREATY.
Take now the other alternative. Suppose We
reject the treaty strike out the clause relating
TO the Philippines That will hand the Islands
back TO Spain. and cannot conceive that any
American should be willing to do that Suppose
we reject the treaty, what follows? Let US look
a. 1t practically. We continue the state Of war,
and every sensible man in the country. every
business interest desires the re-estaollshment
OF peace in law as we'll as in fact. At the same
time We reQudate the President and his acton
before The whole world. and the reputation OF
the PRESIDENT III SuCH a iiie.'o a - - S
mind the humiliation OF the United States in
the eyes Of civilized mankind. and brands US as
a people Incapable OF great affairs or OF taking
rank where we belong. one Of the greatest
OF the great world Powers.
The President cannot be sent back across the
Atlantic in the person % his Commissioners,
hat in hana. TO say TO Spain with bated breath
I am here in obedience 10 the mandate or a
minority u one-third OF the Senate 10 tell you
that we have been TOO victorious, and that you
Rave yielded US TOO much. and that ! am very
sorry that TOOK the Philippines from you. J
On not think that any American PRESIDENT would
do that or that America would wish him 10.
Still less do ! think that any American would
withdraw General Otis and Lis soldiers ard re-
call Admiral Dewey from the scene OF his great
victory. leaving Il to be said OF US that We had
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