New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-03
PRECEDENT AND EXPANSION
COURAGE AND DUTY THE ONLY THINGS
TO REGARD IN THE PRESENT CRISIS

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir Although there are numerous instances.
as you have clearly shown in your columns.
where the United States Government has &C
quired. held and governed new territory, and
although the trend Of the country has always
been toward large growth and wide influence
there have been certain crises in our history
which have been met by the people without ade
quate precedent 70 guide them. and with an
urgent demand upon their good sense. their
nobility Of purpose and their power OF initiative.
And for us the moral courage Of our people In
these crises furnishes the most needed the most
appropriate and the most stirring precedent
that we could follow in the present situation
Let therefore briefly recall the daring hrav-
erv Of the past in the hope that the present
struggle for political leadership and the cur
rent appeals n tmdty NAV appear in clearer
light
No citizens Of our country have ever been
called upon 10 depart so completely from what
was behind them or 10 strike out into such an
unfathomable future az were the founders of
the Republic Throwing aside everything con
nected with the existing Government. they be-
gan anew: and with bravery and wisdom that
now seem well nigh marvellous they established
a government so original, broad ana sa'ls-
factory that to-day 1t challenges the admlra-
ton OF the world II not precedent that
they followed but the conviction ~ their hearts
and minds II was the intellectual and moral
strength Of the people that enabled them TO &C
complish their work. II their Willingness
and determination 10 assume rghtful response
bility that crowned their efforts with success.
So in 1861. when il was claimed that a state
could go out Of the Union and thus destroy the
central government II was not precedent that
hut
termination that a crisis in our history vas
reached and that the vitality and meaning OF
our Constitution depended upon action; that
a new situation new series Of events had de-
veloped and that the responsibility Of holding
the country together must be assumed at once.
There was no fatering in the Executive. and
the people responded enthusiastically to the call
10 duty The Union remained intact for ooth
North and South. the slaves were freed. ana
this was accomplished not by close adhesion
to precedent but by the development Of the
National spirit and by the moral courage Of our
people
A HIGHER PRECEDENT FOR THE PHILIP
PINES
In the present situation, in regard 10 the
Philippine Islands. then, while every instance OF
adding territory 10 our borders should no doubt
of courageous ldh erence 10 duty which we are
bound 70 follow if we would not tarnsh dhe
record our country has already made. And our
duty IN the present instance is clear The lead
ers Of thought and action. who have been and
are on the ground; the Executive of the coun-
try. who throughout the conflict with Spain has
acted for the good Of our entire land. and who
has exceptional sources Of information: his
,fccfc VIII
the treaty large majority 81 Senators and
REPRESENTATIVES. many State legislators and
an overwhelming majority Of on: citizens are
agreed that we Should retain FOR the present an
unqualified sovereignty in these islands, and
/ that We should make no present decision upon
/ future questions.
The people see the opportunity Of spreading
J the civilization and influence Of the United
States over the world and they do not shrink
from the consequences Their courage and
daring i'm venturing into now fields is not fool
ish enthusiasm or love OF conquest bur the
moral courage NJ a brave people sure Of the
foundations OF the Republic ard Of the benefit
to the world Of an extension % thai civilization
which carries with # the best hope Of individual
achievement and Of personal happiness. They
realize the gravity OF the problems before them
but they are not a people TO he turned from
their course by difficulties They are tired Of
arr7lment What tl.ey could do n end the war
has been done and they stand ready 10 assume
the responsibilities put upon them. But
minority Of Senators. fortunately clothed with
. only temporary power. stands in the path " ac-
,ion and argues that the Constitution OF our
country forbds the desired action. that the
Filipinoe do not consent 70 our sovereignty and
that rho expense and trouble n the undertaking
will he enormous
Candid investigators are well aware that the
Constitution presents no obstacle 70 the holding
of tho islands as Congress shall see n. Opinions
~ an early date rendered with reference 10
facts and situations totally unlike those exist
inc to-day have comparatively slight weight
win the Supreme Court And II our constitu-
fional right n acquire property was 70 be *
amined by the court to-day, II would he with
the facts before IT, showing the startling changes
wrought hy steam and electricity IN eth"dS or
communication with distant countries. the won
Gerful expansion Of the countrys uade oVsr the
world the great extension in territory already
made the obligations incurred toward other ISL
+ and possessions. the growing wealth ana popu-
latton Of the country and the Increasing ac-
tivity OF our people shown in every department
NJ life To imagine thar in view Of these facts
the supreme Court would read into the Const-
tuition limitation Of the power 10 make war
or a restriction upon the right Of acquiring
property shows little knowledge Of the broad
ness NJ Vie, adopted by that court in dealing
with the countrvs greatness
THE CONSENT OF THE FILIP1NOs.
Il is said that the Fiipinos do not consent
Has there been a vote? DO they know how TO
,,oteo Arc We 10 trust a leader who. according
10 common report. deserted them for briDe
and who at the first opportunity proved false to
those who had purchased him? They were not
I'm possession ~ Manila when obtained H.
and the sovereignty ~ Spain became ours
Even IL the natives do not appreciate the value
Of our Intervention in their behalf. this Is no
reasnn why We should not lnterNene or why we