Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-18
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY IS, 1899.
on,x nrp,TE on THE TREATY.

Tho New York Journal of Commerce
charges that the animus oil oeh"'o'
1Ioar,s advocacy of an open discussion
., ,hs, treaty is the hope Of accomplish
.pg its defeat by creating public clamor'
We'll. we do not imagine that the ven
erable Senator from Massachusetts VIII
deny the charge. Moreover that nc
should be amenable to such charge Is "
,,s credit Ii is to his credit that ne
shorId emancipate himself from the tram
,,ols If precedent and senatorial pre-
roeative-should. If you please ignore
senatorial dignity"-and recognize tha'
IN this case the people have a right 10
be afforded an opportunity TO "clamor'
We have not much in common with Mr..
Hoar, yet 1t is but simple justice 10 nun
and 20 ourselves to admit that IN TINS
Instance he has risen to high plane OF
patriotism and statesmanship. TO tbe
minds of many the question OF raulyihs
or rejecting the treaty without amend
uent carries with it the question whether
Dur republican institutions shall stahu OF
fall II brings us face TO face with one
NJ the most mOmentous crises that nave
ever arisen in che history Of the republic.
Furthermore, aside from the effect that
the ratification of the treaty might nave
upon our form of government, such ue-
termination of the question would burdeh
the people with a crushing. weight OF tax
ation for years to come. The most
roseate and dazzling light that can De
thrown upon Imperialism cannot pllhu
anv thinking man 60 this fact. IL the
,eonle have not a right to information
that would put them in position 10 IN
auence the decision on these issues theh
in the name of the shades of the fathers
what rights have they? If, because SEN
atorial dignity. precedent, ana prNi
,eges would be infringed upon they arr
not 70 be permitted to be put in position
10 protest against or endorse policy IN
yolving the creation OF an enormous mn
tary establishment. the perpetuatioh
grinding taxes, and, perhaps, the rate o
true republicanism, then the Deciarano
of Independence is mere jingle Oh woru'
and the Constitution a meaningless Col
lection of sentences. Unless the one Is
lie and che other fraud, Mr.. Hoars PFC
nosition is. under the conditions IN nal
mony with the spirit ana 'he ie'le'
both. And TO criticise advocates Oh ope
discussion, as Mr.. Hoar has Deeh CIT
c,sea Is TO declare the people incomp'
cents or conslgn the public TO the posiue
n late railway magnate consigned lheni'
ruf the Journal of Commerce does ne
consider the people incompetent Viii
a. practically echoes the words oil u
railway magnate referred TO- IL leaIs u
good sense and the patriotism OF the pu
lie. 1t IS conscious Of the fact that u
omen "preliminary debate on the trea
hay bv ennghtening the public endanSe
cd imperialism. Hear 1t:
The worst OF Mir. Hoar's offence AGAIN
che senate Is not that he iGtryins 10 g
she treaty discussed in open session, b
mat he Is discussing IL in open sessl'
without permission of the senate. II
recent speech against the annexation
the Philippines was an open discussion
a treaty which the Senate has refus
20 discuss openly. and this resolution
another effort TO secure a public deba
,non a treaty which the Senate, III q
cordance with almost unbiokon usage,
well as It's rules. is discussing In eNecu1l
session.
Considering the journals ardent
almost blatant championship Of imperi
ism. the perturbation Senator Hoar II
caused Il IS equivalent TO contest
that the more light the people rece
on the treaty and the effects of It's ra
Acation the less chance there will be
ratification. Unless our contemporary
prepared 20 repudiate entirely the the'
OF our government its attack upon >
ator Hoar vindicates him. The Jour
shows that It believes the Senate Is $
ceptiblo Of being influenced in gr
crisis by public clamor"--i. e.. the '
OF the people-and in contemplation
our system the will OF the people. in 81
crisis as the present. is the supre
law OF the land.
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