The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-17
Common Sense uieW
Of National Duty
From the speech Of Judge Morris. Dcliv.
cred in Congress February 8.

From tho speech Of Judge Morris. Deliv.
cred In Congress February 8.
THE QUESTION of tho policy of our
recent acquisitions I think II Is too
i late to discuss. That the circum-
stances and conditions surrounding
them. at least 80 far as the Philippine
islands were concerned were entirely DIFF
fercnt from those which were presented
in tho acquisition Of Louisiana and the
adjacent territory must be admitted. And
II may also be admitted that had tho CIR
cumstanccs been different we should not
have sought them as We did Louisiana.
TO my mind II Is plain. In the face Of the
conditions presented, that we ought not
to. that VIC could not have acted other
wise than VIC havo done. And l have not
the slightest doubt that if VIC had we
would now be hearing from the other
side of this chamber even fiercer denun-
Citations than those to which we have
lately become accustomed; that we
would bo told how we had bascly be.
trayed those who had trusted us; how
we had left them to their former inhuman
opprcssors or to the selfish greed Of other
European powers; how we had failed, IN
tho moral obligation resting upon us
amongst the nations of the earth. to re.
store peace and order when we had de-
stroycd their only safeguards; how we
had failed in the highest duty which we
owed 10 civilization and progrcss; how
We had failed TO grasp and hold that
which to US Is tho commercial opportun-
ity of the centuries: and they would then
be cxtolling the splendid achievements
Of Jefferson and hts party In seizing cv-
cry opportunity to extend the boundaries
of our dominion aud the blessings of our
civilization as loudly as they now vaguely
proclaim the doctrine of the consent OF
the governed. But ths question whether
we could act otherwise or not passed
beyond the domain of discussion, at
least SO far as congress is concerned,
upon the adoption OF the treaty and the
appropriation for carrying 1t into effect.
By that action they became part of the
territory belonging TO the United States,
and tho only thing left for us Is to go
forward in a manly and straightforward
way, with hope and confidence and cour-
age, to the performance of the duties
which have devolved upon us.
No one could take any exception to the
course of any senator who, when the
treaty OF Paris was under consideration,
opposed its ratification or of a member
of the house who, when the appropriation
for carrying It into effect was being con-
sidered, opposed the grant of the neces-
sary funds, believing in his heart and
mind and conscience that we were doing
something which we ought not to do.
But the treaty having been ratified and
carried into effect not only can no good
be accomplished by criticism and fault
finding with what is beyond recall but
no sense of duty can command such a
course. On the contrary, every impulse
of patriotism ought to prompt every citi-
zen to stand squarely behind those
charged with the administration Of tho
government and lend every aid to the
correct and successful solution of the
difficulties BY which we are confronted.
And not only ought he to do this freely
and with all his might and main. but to
do less Is little short of treason. The
treaty being ratified and carried into eff
feet, what, then, Is the duty OF Ameri-
cans? 1t seems to ME there could be but
ono answer. ] ask myself what would
do II had been amongst those opposed
to these acquisitions. l have been able
to find but one answer. I would say
have done my duty; I have spoken and
voted against this course Of action; I
have warned my colleagues and my coun-
trymen; but they have not needed my
advice or my warning. They have
thought otherwise. They have deter
mined otherwise The die is cast, and
now I stand for my country and with
my countrymen against all who would
strike at the flag. who are in arms
against our authority, wherever they
may be. This was the spirit of the brave
men who. although opposed politically to
Mr.. Lincoln, answered his call to arms
in 1851. This should be the spirit Of the
patriot today. There can be no mid
die ground. 'Choose you this day whom
ye will serve" II your country, shall
you not do. 1t fully. unreservedly, un-
stintedly? Should you not do it in word
and deed? j do not wish to sit in judg-
ment on any other man. / would not
be one OF those who have found no
words but those of condemnation for
our government and praise for those in
arms against US for all the wealth of
all the Indies.
How admirable the course of the presi-
dent of the United States in comparison
with that of his critics and detractors.
Does anyone who knows his pure and eX-
alted life. public and private, suppose for
an instant that he is any less actuated
by sense OF duty than are they? Can
anyone who remembers his readiness in
other days to offer his life for the cause
of freedom and humanity suppose that
he loves liberty any less than these
nursery statesmen. who talk about his
intention to subvert 1t and set up a
has not as complete and ever-prcsent re-
alization as they of the arduous task
which Is set before him and us? All, no,
Mr. Chairman lie sees all, feels all,
understands all, as we'll as they, and with
no less profound sense OF duty, with no
less stern realization OF the magnitude
and delicacy Of the responsibility, with
no less ardent love of liberty and Justice,
But he approaches that duty with no
sign of shirking or evading. He sets
about the task slowly and cautiously and
tentatively, as well becomes so great an
Undertaking. but hopefully, CONTAGIOUS
ly. lie INDUCES In no ill-tin,ed, academic,
and automatic deliverances about lib
erty. but goes steadily on with the work
OF establishing and extending. not its
theoretical shadow. but it's practical and
enduring substance. He ought to sue
coed; he will succeed. He ought TO be
supported by the American people; he Will
be supported by them. And when the his
tory of this administration, this brilliant,
this. wonderful administration, comes to
be written, like those OF WASHINGTON
ana Lincoln. 1t will stand out bright and
shining and glorious in the onward march
OF the nation; great in the arduous
greatness Of things accomplished" re-
membered ever for It's splendid achieve
ments and noble sacrifices, while those
who. instead OF supporting and assisting
1t. are censuring or Carping and caviling,
will be forgotten. or. II remembered, re-
membercd as TO this part of their public
careers only with sorrow and regret. For
my part. I place myself under the nag,
behind the administration of my coun-
try, by the side of the American soldier In
whatever land he may be. / believe in
my country. ] believe in the sincerity