The Red Cloud chief., 1899-11-03
"wahou, the Consent Of the Governed

without the Consent OF the Governed"
President Mckinley told the people
OF Minneapolis that he expected con.
gress to provide a government for the
filipinos. The next Sunday w d.
Bryan declared that such action by
congress would be a reputation of the
Declaration Of independence. This
Is the first time" proclaims Mr.. Bry an,
"tbat m American prssidentrepudiat-
ed the people as the source Of Govern
ment."
IL requires some restraint to with
hold from MIR. Bryan the one epithet
that he invites by his puerile babblings.
The treaty Of peace which has been
ratified by the United States and Spain
annexed the Philippines TO the United
States. The president could moi il he
would, annul that treaty. In his Min
neapolis speech he simply accepted the
fact Of annexation, and expressed his
confident belief that congress would
treat the Filipinos fairly.
The treaty Of peace provides explic-
lily that the status OF the inhabitants Of
the Philippines shall be fixed by con-
gress. On this statement OF incontro.
vertibles facts, Mr.. Bryan's objection
to tho presidents remark Is worse than
childish, and Is unworthy Of any man
pretending to eve high school intelli.
sence in public affairs.
The presidents speech announcing
that the Philippines would be treated
~ American territory may mark an
epoch in American history, but it is an
epoch with numerous presidents. So
Numerous are they, In fact, that the
power Of congress to legislate for an
nexed territory has been beyond ques-
ton for half . century. President JET.
~ferson, when Louisiana was annexed,
without the conseet Of the governed"
took immediate possession. without
the consent Of the governed" he ap.
pointed not'only . military governor
but . legislature Of thirteen members
to look after the affairs Of the terri.
tory.
The treaty a~nnexing Florida was
signed February 20, 1910. 1t was not
ratified by Spain until 1921. In the
meantime, however, President Monroe
took possession, "without the consent
of the governed"-yes, even in the face
Of their violent protest-.appointed a
military governor and empowered a
legislature to administer affairs until
congress provided otherwise.
When California and New Mexico
were seized by our army and navy,
President Polk, without waiting for
any treaty or for 1.-THE consent of the
governed" appointed a governor ana
maintained a military government for
two years after the treaty Of annex
alton was signed. Then congress took
action.
In the case OF Texas congress waited
for no treaty, but passed . resolution
OF annexation simply because the
American people demanded 1t without
any regard to "the consent Of the gov.
erned."
MIR. Bryan, IL he will read a little
United States history, will learn that
MIR. VanBuIen, the democratic leader
Of his day, pronounced emphatically
against the annexation Of Texas, and
was defeated in the convention of 1874
by Polk; that Henry Clay, leader Of the
Wing party, and presidential candi-
date, pronounced against annexation
and was defeated; and that, in short,
no presidential candidate who opposed
annexation was ever elected. These
purely political facts of history may
find Judgment in Mr.. Bryan's mind,
We doubt, however, that the great ma,
tional facts will find room in it, for the
simple reason that MIR. Bryan's mind
lacks space IN accommodate them