The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-03-08
SPEECH OF LODGE.
Massachusetts Senator on the
Philippine Question.
Strongly Indorses President
McKinley's Policy.
Position of the United States In
the Orient Benefits to
Our Commerce.

WASHINGTON, March Soon aft
the senate convened today Mr.. Sulli-
san Miss offered resolution that the
Philippine Islands are the rightful prop
rty, honorably acquired, of the United
States. and that "while the misguided
Filipinos continue the present war.
brought on by them, against the rightful
authority Of the United States. so long
IS single gun in their hands is trained
,pon our flag, no expression of intention
us to the future course of the United
States with respect to them should be
made by the senate Mr.. Sullivan ask
d that the resolution lie on the table un-
il he should call it up.
In accordance with notice previously
;iven, Mr.. Lodge Rep., Mass then ad-
tressed the senate on the Philippine
question AS chairman of the committee
IN the Philippines and as member Of
he committee on foreign relations. Mr..
Lodge was expected to make n notable
ltterance on the question. He was given,
therefore,, an attentive hearing by both
his colleagues on the floor of the senate
md by a large concourse of auditors in
he galleries.
Mr. Lodges speech was based on the
oill introduced by Mr.. Spooner (Wis.)
resting in the president authority TO gov
I'm the Philippines until congress should
,therwise provide 10y legislation.
Mr.. Lodge reviewed at length the stu
ttion in the Philippines and the condi
ions which led TO the present position
# the United States and in conclusion
rev luminous picture of the CONNER
ial possibilities of the Philippines and
4 the enormous advantages they would
'e to the United States not only ON sc-
cunt of their own fertility and richness
If resource, but because they are the
gateway for this country to the immense
trade of the orient. Adverting to n re-
cent diplomatic achievement of the Unit
d States, he said.
'"The possession of the Philippines
made us an eastern power, with the right
md, what was equally important, the
orce behind the right to speak. Mr..
lay, as secretary of state. has obtained
rom all the great powers of Europe their
=ssent to our demand for the guarantee
4 all our treaty rights in China and for
rhe maintenance of the policy of the open
.OOr. / do not belittle one of the most
Important and most brilliant diplomatic
,chievements in our hundred years of ma
-ional existence when | say that the as
ent of these other powers to the propo-
itions of the United States was given to
he master of Manila. They might have
rurned us aside three years ago with n
shrug and a smile. but to the power
which held Manila bay and whose fleet
Dated upon its waters they were obliged
give a gracious answer Manila. with
IS magnificent bay, is the prize and the
'earl of the east. In our hands it will
'eeome one of the greatest distributing
oints, one of the richest emporiums of
ne worlds commerce. Rich in ITSELF
With all its fertile islands behind it, it
sill keep open to us the markets of Chi
a and enable American enterprise and
Intelligence to take a master share in all
he trade of the orient.
I'VE have been told that arguments
Ike these are sordid. Sordid indeed.
hen what arguments are worthy of con-
liberation? policy which proposes to
pen wider markets to the people of the
United States, to add TO their employ
nent and to increase their wages and
which in its pursuit requires that we
hOuld save the teeming millions of
Suiud lTOIl tue uHThHesS OF tne RUSSIAN
winter and keep them free, not merely
or the incoming Of commerce, but for
he entrance of the light of western civili-
alton, seems to me n great and noble
'olicy, if there ever was such, and one
which may well engage the best aspira-
ions and the highest abilities of Ameri-
an craftsmanship.
Il do not believe that this nation was
aised up for nothing. do not believe
hat it is the creation of blind chance
(, have faith that it has a great mission
the world-a mission of good, u mis-
ion of freedom. | believe that it can
we up to that mission; therefore / want
o see it step forward boldly and take
is place at the head of the nations.
Gish TO see it master of the Pacific. |
would have it fulfill what | think is its
manifest destiny if it is not false to the
AVIS which govern it, l am not dream
ng of primrose path. / know well
hat in the past we have committed
;rievous mistakes and paid for them,
one wrong and made heavy compensa-
ion for it, stumbled and fallen and suf-
cred. But we have always risen, bruis-
and grimed sometimes, yet still we
ave risen stronger and more erect than
'ver, and the march has always been
Onward and onward"
he House Pays Respects to Harmer
A