The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-08-01
GOOD DEMOCRATIC DOCTRINE.

If the argument recently advanced
here in favor of the extension of TIL
Constitution over these Islands is cor
rect, it is certainly good Democratic
and rather poor Republican doctrine
During the debates in the Senate
which preceded the ratification of the
treaty OF peace with Spain, the Demo
Gratis opposed that part of the treaty
which provided for the cession of the
Philippines, and the payment of 500.
100000 to Spain therefor. It was urg
ed by the Democrats that the nome n
they became the property of the Unital
States, the Constitution covered them
and made the people citizens mot
voters) of the United States and en-
titled to the personal rights of citi-
zens. The Republican Senators denied
that the Constitution would extend to
the Islands until Congress enacted the
extension by proper legislation.
Senator Daniel, who opposed the an
nexation Of Hawaii, also opposed the
annexation of the Philippines by the
act Of cession for "a given sum of
money. He said in the debate (COn-
gressional Record p. 1850: The
Philippine Islands will become a part
of the United States the moment that
the Treaty is ratified The Constitu-
ton of the United States will extend
over them the moment that it is rati-
fled 4 tarritOry of tho ITnit
ed States is just as much a part of it
as any foot of soil in it, THE mo-
ment of cessiOn is the moment of con-
.stitutional accession, and with consti-
tutional accession it becomes the
solemn and sworn duty of Congress to
provide equal laws to these equal i'm
munities, to secure these equal pri-
vileges." The Senator opposed the
Treaty because it would secure to the
Filipinos rights under the Constitution
Senator Money (Democrat) of
Mississippi said Congressional r. p.
1919: They (my opponents) do not
shake my conviction that wherever the
flag of the United States floats, whether
on sea or on lend, all of that domain
which it brings 1'ithin our jurisdict IN
is under and ST. Jject 80 the provisions
OF the Constitution of the United
States
When Senator Spooner (Republican)
of Wisconsin was asked in debate what
his opinion was &C. r. p. 1870 he re-
piled: 1T might very we'll be decided
a
decide it do not know" The prevail
ing view among the Republican Sena
toEs was that the Constitution would
not extend.
And now there are some people here
who are running journal in the in
terests of the Republican party, who
are denouncing the judges of our Ter
TitOrial court, although they followed
good Republican doctrine, and have re-
fused assent to the strong Democratic
doctrine urged by Senator'S Daniel,
Money and others.
The attitude of party leaders dur
ing THE debate in Congress seems to
have been forgotten. Some of the ire
Kinley 10 get rid of our territorial
Judges although they have repudiated
Democratic, and approved of, Repub-
lican doctrine, in making their deci-
sion ON the Constitutional question
Naturally enough, the Republicans
were in no haste to approve of an in
terpretation which would admit TO-
900 900 of F'ilipinos TO American citi-
zenship under the Constitution, and
prevent any tariff discrimination.
AS we have said before, and will re-
neat, Hawaii does not rest her claim
on any vague Interpretation OF the
Constitution about which even the Re-
publicans We're in doubt. but upon the
agreements and covenants contained
in Newlands Resolution. If our local
Republicans like to cheer for the
Democratic Senators, they may do so.
It will do no harm perhaps. Was
Senator Spooner ''m-American?"
Those who wish President Mckinley to
get rid of our judges may shorten their
application to the President by simply
stating to him, reasons for removal
fully set forth last session in speeches
of Democratic Senators, who opposed
the ratification of the Treaty