The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-02
Ex-Governor Waite Attacks
William J. Bryan.
ACME OFNATlONAL INFAMY
He Denounces the Anti-Imperialism of
the Silver Leader-The Conquest
Of the Philippines Specf1-
cally Constitutional.

opposing the theories of William j.
Bryan. He publishes long letter over
his own signature, which is taken as
an indication that the veteran warrior
is again in the saddle after a silence of
three years. The letter, under the for
| mer governors own caption, Errors
of Colonel Bryan" is as follows:
I'm the late Bryan interview he
says: Our people defended Cuba
against foreign arms. Now they must
defend themselves and their country
against a foreign idea-rthe colonial
idea of European nations. jefferson
| has been quoted in support of imperial
ism, but he was opposed to wars of
conquest
THE idea that the present war on the
part of the United States is in support
of the colonial idea of European ma
tons and of imperialism is purely an
assumption, which is not warranted by
the fact that our army and navy are
in possession of Cuba, Porto Rico and
the Philippines or that we demand
their cession from Spain to the United
States. Mr.. Bryan himself admits that
the United States has rescued Cuba
from foreign CONTROL
This war was begun to protect the
rights of humanity, and if those rights
demand that the captured islands be
not restored to their former owner,
then the United States should hold
them until proper disposition Of their
interests can be made. 1t would be
horrible injustice to return those ISL
ands to Spain, which for 400 years has
tyrannized over them with an I'M
speakable tyranny, civil military and
religious, and it would be a cowardly
crime to shirk the national RESPONSE
bilities We have incurred in this right
eous war and abandon these islands to
the tender mercies of the great despot-
iSmS of Europe.
Mr.. Bryan says: we should reserve
in all these islands harbor and coal
ing station and might annex Cuba and
Porto Rico if the inhabitants desire, but
not the Philippines, even if the inhabi-
tants SO desire Mr.. Bryan thinks that
all governments do and should derive
their just powers from the consent of
the governed except in the Philippines.
In his opinion the immortal doctrines of
the Declaration of Independence will
not keep in the latitude of the equa-
tor. 9
Most governments do exist by the
consent of the governed, but it is of
far greater Importance and there would
be little necessity for rebellion and wars
If existing governments were SO con-
Quoted as to establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility. promote the gen.
eral welfare and secure the blessings of
liberty to the people-duties and re-
sponsibilities which Mr.. Bryan wholly
ignores.
Mr.. Bryan characterizes the con-
quest of Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Phil
ippines as contrary to our form of gov
eminent and even tradition, and an
n "a n n amt pf tri,,
ernments derive just powers from the
consent of the governered' In the case
of McCulloch VS.. Maryland, decided by
the supreme court of the United States
in 1919. Marshall C. j., giving the opin-
ion, it was held that there is nothing
in the constitution of the United States
similar to the articles of confedera-
ton which excluded incidental and i'm
piled powers. If the end be legitimate
and within the scope of the constitu-
ton all the means which are appro-
pirate, which are adapted to the end
and which are not prohibited may con-
stitually be employed to carry it into
effect
Under the United States constitution
(see Sec. s, Art y congress has the sole
right to declare war, grant letters of
marque and reprisals and make rules
concerning captures on land and water
Congress has also a. right TO raise arm
les and the president and senate have
the sole power 'to make treaties. The
constitution therefore specifically en-
powered congress to declare war and
to make rules concerning captures on
land and water
These powers are indispensable to
| national sovereignty and We're granted
| upon the principle that the United
| States government Is free and indie
pendent, has full power to levy war and
| conclude peace. contract alliances, es-
| tablish commerce and to do all acts and
things which Independent states may of
| right do-that in war it would make
conquests of foreign territory and in
treaties of peace would exercise under
the law of nations all powers necessary
| to just determination of all questions
| at issue
"The conquest and holding of Cuba
Porto Rico and the Philippines is speci-
| fically constitutional, as above shown,
and so far from being contrary to our
form of government and even our ira
| ditions' it is in direct line with our ma
tional policy and practice as to national
expansion In no case has the United
| States government deemed it necessary
| or proper in the acquisition of foreign
territory to submit to the consent of the
people thereof the proposed change of
government
1.-THE present war has been SO just
and legitimate that even Colonel Bry-
an enlisted In the United States army
Our victories both 'on land and water
| have been as glorious and perhaps OF
greater Importance than ever before il
Illustrated any of the wars of the repub.
lie. 1t is for congress, and not for Col,
onel Bryan, to decide what rule snail
be made concerning the captured isl
ands of Cuba. Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines, and it is the constitutional du
ty of the president and senate, in con
Guiding peace, to determine what ar,
our just relations to those people o
the captured islands who have surrand
cred to our arms and who need the pro
lection of the stars and stripes.
Our war with Spain has only beer
with the Spanish government. We have
had no war with the people of tht
Spanish provinces. They have beer
our allies and to desert them and with
draw our assistance and protection 70
a harbor and coaling station in each {
the captured islands, as Colonel Bry
an suggests, would on our part be III