The San Francisco call., 1899-02-11
IMPERIaLIsT DIScoRDS.

THE Democratic organ OF imperialism mere, the
| Examiner some months ago laid down the law
less line to be followed in the statement that ex-
ternal colonial government would be carried by
the United States outside of any and all limitations OF
the constitution This doctrine has been accepted
correct by imperalists in the SenateI who declare
that the constitution of the United States is for the
people of the United States alone, and that none OF
its provisions need be projected to external territory
or people gained and governed by the United States
as a sovereignty. This doctrine accept also as
correct 1t permits in external possessions any
method measure OF power that Russia or any
other sovereignty may exercise. 1t removes all par
riers breaks down all limitations equalizes and there
fore destroys all checks and balances, and permits one
policy in one place and its direct opposite in another
The people so governed have no rights, fixed and
chartered and made involabe by fundamental law
They become the subject of experiment in govern
ment which in the midst of them becomes entirely
empirical and autocratic.
But when apply this statement OF policy which
is accepted by the imperiasts the Post the Repub-
lican organ of imperialism, hinches. When we call
attention to the existence in the Philippines of poly
gamy and involuntary servitude, the Post proceeds
TO haow plural marriage religious institution
protected by the constitution which forbids reli-
gious test for holding office, and also orblds lnvol-
untary servitude within the jurisdiction of the United
States.
Hence it appears that the Democratic and Repub-
lican wings of imperialism refuse to flop together
If all constitutional limitations stop, cease and die
at the border line of the United States, it is difficult
to see how the Post can extend constitutional pro-
lection to Philippine polygamy and constitutional
prohibition to Philippine slavery, if it exist
Inasmuch as the Post raises this very interesting
question: and thereby materially increases the conu
sion of counsel in the imperalist camp by insisting
that polygamy as domestic and religious institution
is outside the constitutional reach OF this Govern
ment it is worth while to inquire into the supreme
law of the land on that subject The constitution
cites that it, and the laws and treaties made in
Dformty to it. shall be the supreme law of the land
On July 10 1894, Congress passed law, chapter
1873 statutes at large of the Fifty-third Congress-
providing for the admission of Utah State. In
that act it is reced that the Utah constitution must
be Republican in form X and not repugnant
to the constitution of the United States and the prn
cipes of the Declaration OF independence And said
conyention shall provide, by ordinance irrevocable
without the consent of the United States and the
people of said State that perfect federation OF reli
gious sentiment shall be secured, and tha: no inhab
liant of said State shall be moested in person
or property account of his or her mode of reli-
gious worship: Provided, that polygamous or
plural marriages are forever prohlDited
From this it appears that, standing upon prin-
cipe inherited in the constitution, this Government
has the power to prohibit polygamy in the United
States, and used that power and prohibition over
Utah as precedent condition to her entry into the
Union,
Yet the Post says that we cannot prevent
Mahometan from holding office in the United
States, though he have the full allowance of four
wives lavishy permitted by the Koran. From this
gather that the Post regards polygamy a rei-
gious institution of Islam. But wish to inquire
by what test the Post has determined that
Mahomet, the of Abdallah was any better
prophet of the Lord than Joseph Smith, son of Bill
Smith, the Vermont farmer who sowed his rye with
shotgun in the steep sides of the Green Noun
tains.
1t is day of commissions and inquisitions How
can we prohibit polygamy in place, taught as
religious ordinance and permit it in another be-
cause the constitution forbids religious test? 1t is
easy to that eminent commission must be ap-
pointed to report Mahometanism and Mormonsm
and determine which permits many wives for Gods
sake and which wants lot of them out of mere
devitry