The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-03
SENATE.


Washington, February 1.-For a
few minutes in the senate this after
noon it seemed likely that vote might
be taken on one or more of the resolu-
tions relating to expansion that are
pending before that body. An unusu-
ally large attendance of republican
senators was present, all of whom
having been notified to be on hand in
the event of critical vote on the pend
ing question.
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, called up
his resolutions and Senator Chandler,
of New Hamshire withdrew his mo-
tion to refer to the committee on for
eign relations.
Senator Sullivan, of Mississippi, en-
tered a motion to substitute his resolu-
ton for those Of senator Bacon as fol-
lows: El
THAT the ratification of the pending
treaty of peace with Spain shall in no
wise determine the policy to be pur-
sued by the United States in regard to
the Philippines nor shall it commit
this government to a colonial policy;
nor is it intended to embarrass the es-
tablishment of stable, independent
government by the people of those
islands whenever conditions make
such pro eedin" hopeful of success
and desirable results
Senator Davis, chairman of the for
eign relations committee, announced
tfiat t,a rTas u slffng THAR q vote shnnId
be taken Immediately.
AS it was evident, however, that a
vote on the resolutions and amend
ments could not be taken before 2
O'Clock, the hour fixed by unanimous
consent for the senate to go in execu-
tive session. Senator Bacon asked
for unanimous consent that a vote be
taken at 1890 o'clock tomorrow. 10
this request Senator Carter, OF Mon
tana objected, and the whole question
was left suspended in the air.
During the morning session Senator
Rawlins, of Utah, addressed the SEN
ate on the Vest anti-expansion resolu-
tion Senator Rawlings said:
"The atmosphere just now seems to
be clouded with perplexing problems,
Every one l presume, is imbued with
the wish, while adhearing to justice, to
do the best he can for his country.
have not heretofore been opposed to
expansion This nation has been one
of growth-in population from three to
seventy-fve million; in territory from
the shores of the Atlantic across the
continent and out into the swelling
waters of the Pacific. Millions of the
homes of our sturdy and patriotic peo-
pie and magnificent states have been
the fruits of our expansion. Terrific
rial. with commensurate extension OF
constitutional freedom is twice blest
it blesseth them who give and them
who receive. No man can set an arti-
fetal barrier to the inevitable progress
of the American people. But thus faI
our progress has been that of freedom
not of tyranny. When our fathers
Christened the republic lney gave it q
name which they doubtless deemed suf-
ficient to cover all the eXigencies Of its
future career. 1t was to be THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
I'VE could stretch out to the north
and to the south until we encompass
ed the two continents and all the
islands of the Caribbean sea and still
we might appropriately bear the name
which our fathers gave us. Shall we
now change that name? And If so
what shall the new name be and what
shall it symbolic? Shall it be thu
United States of America and the
Kingdom of the Philippines or shall
it be the Empire of America and Asia
Already there are visions of this II
the political sky"
Senator Rawlis then discussed tn
exte of the power of the government
under the constitution to acquire, holt
and govern territory, maintaining tha
such power must be exercised to sub
serN. the objects and purposes fo
which the government was created. H,
conte1ded that the constitution in al
its provisions, limitations and safe
guards was as applicable to the terrific
ries and their inhabitants as to thu
states; that while some of the proYis
ions of that instrument may not b.
self-executing, they are no less so in I
territory than in state; that an act o.
congress is not necessary to suppl!
the provisions of the constitution to
territory.
Referring to the contention of Sen.
ator Lodge and other senators that tht
labor and product of the Philippine.
would not be permitted to come into
+. competition with American labor and
its product, Senator Rawlins pointed
out that if congress possessed this au
thority it could impose duties which