The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-07
LEADS ALL NORTH GMR0llM DMl1ES 1 NEWS AMID GRGUl OM

to that expression of JefferoL> - .ov-
ernments can only acquire tn, just
powers from the consent of the governed
declaring that the principle announced
in that sentence marked Jefferson great
er than king, prince or potentate.
1--WE have heard" said he, ''sOme start
ling doctrines as to the power OF the
United States to establish governments
in foreign territory acquired by the
United States announced on this floor.
He declared that these announced doc
trnes were more arbitrary than any
which had ever before been heard in the
United States Congress. They confer
red upon Congress supreme power-a
despotic power, unlimited and unrestrict-
ed. He quoted from the speeches of Mr..
Platt, (Connecticut), to which his ad-
dress was an answer, that part Of the
Connecticut Senators statement Of the
powers of the United States in which
he maintained that the right to- acquire
foreign territory was inherent and with
out limitation, and that the power to
establish government in such acquired
territory was inherent and a sovereign
right.
Here" said Mr.. Caffery, ''The old
to govern is broad and imperial and
without Limitation by our Constitution.
IF the argument advanced by the
Senator from Connecticut be true and
sound. then the individual rights Of men
are to be held by the United States under
Congressional despOtism. Our Consti-
tuition knows no despotism; it sedulously
provides against despotism: but right
l, &c. Il of ha
possible character.
Mr.. Caffery said he proposed to argue
that the Government Of the United
States was inhibited from Incorporating
the recently acquired territory into the
United States: that Congress had power
to govern any acquired territory only
with the ultimate purpose of erecting il
into States; that people Of such territory
cannot be held despotieally by Congress
and that it would be unyise and dan
gerous to incorporate into the United
States as citizens people who differ wide
ly in their habits. customs and religion
from the people of this country.
Mr.. Caffery then entered upon an
elaborate argument to show that hereto
fore it had been the unwayering policy
of this Government To obtain from the
governed their consent before the reins
of government were drawn over them.
Mr.. Caffery said even if we had the
right TO incorporate these distant islands
inhabited by a strange people into this
country. freedom could not exist in the
subtrOpics
''The history of the world shows that
God has set the bounds where the diff
ferent peoples of the earth shall abide,
| When ] look at the conditions of the world
| am ultimately convinced that no per-
manent sway can be held by the white
man over the black man in the sub
| tropics. except bvt a strong military and
cruel despotism."
| Mr. Caffery said that we We're some
times told by the public that we had a
mission to perform mission being
to spread among all peoples the doe
trineS of human rights. He doubted
whether this could be done by placing
upon the people yoke and whether the
principles of Christianity could be ad-
yanced by force.
At the conclusion of Mr.Caffery's ar
| gument Mr.. Morgan (Ala.). announced
on behalf of the Nicara qua Canal Com
mission the acceptance in modified form
of the amendments offered by Mr.. Berry
before the holidays to the pending canal
BILL The amendments were not passed
upon by the Senate.
At 3:15 y. M. the Senate went into
executive session and at $3.50 p. M, adj
journed.