The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-02
SENATOR CLAY'S POSITION
His Views Concerning the DISPOSE
tion of the Philippines.
The Question of EnIarGing Our Vol
umc of Trade with the East Dis
cussed-Qunrre1s with Europe and
Asia in the Future the Possible
Result of Holding the Islands.

Mr.. Clay, in accordance with notice
| previously given by him, addressed the
| Senate yesterday at the conclusion of the
| routine morning business on the subject of
| the resolution declaring the intentions of
the United States with regard to the Phil
ippine Islands. In beginning his speech
Mr.. Clay referred to the fact that he ovted
for the ratification of the Treaty of Peace,
and declared that the views he was about
to express were perfectly consistent with
those he entertained and expressed before
and at the time Of the ratification of the
treaty.
He quoted extracts from speeches made
by various Senators at that time, and de-
ciared that no one of them had contended
that our Government should permanently
retain the Philippines. Mr.. Clay then re-
viewed briefly the history of our occupa
tion of the islands from the time of the
battle of Manila Bay, and said that the
treatment Of the Filipinos by our tiovern-
ment. as long as war with Spain con-
tinued. was such as to assure them that
there was no intention to deprive them of
independence. Continuing, he said:
could read and understand the desire and
struggles OF these oppressed people, their
appeals to us for that liberty for which our
fathers fought, the tyranny and oppres-
sion which they had suffered and endured
at the hands of Spain. and could then pur-
sue closely their conduct and department
from the surrender of Manila till hostilities
begun. the American people, true to the
traditions OF our fathers, would grant to
pi hnt oh fuII IIu
willingly, justice, liberty, and the right of
self government.
NO Senator upon this floor is more anx-
ious to enlarge our markets and to in
duce the vast population of China to pur-
chase our surplus products of farm and
factory, so as to give employment to labor
and enhance the value of both the raw ma
terial and finished product of producer and
manufacturer than myself. Wars, en-
tangled alliances. domestic insurrection.
are not the proper means to induce for
eign consumers to buy our goods and wares
and to become our customers. The laws
OF business. commerce. and trade, friendly
alliances, cheapness, and quality in COM
parison with other countries contendiDe
for the same trade and business are eIe-
ments that must shape and regulate the
volume of cur business with other couu-
tries
IF We desire the trade OF China. We must
make It to the interest of her people to
trade with us. We must study their mar
kets, the wants and demands OF their peo-
pie. We must cheaper transportation by
the construction of the Nicaragua Canal:
build up our merchant marine: take every
possible advantage of the laws OF trade and
commerce to meet promptly the keen COM
petition of England, Germany. France, or
any other foreign country seeking to ex-
tend its trade to the markets of China.
They then esteemed us with that affec-
tion which we felt toward France at the
close of the Revolutionary war. If we had
granted to them their most cherished
hopes. given them our sympathy. encour-
agement and aid in framing a constitution
and putting in operation government
suitable TO their wants. demands and con-
ditions, then the laws of gratitude
would have made these people our Gus
toners against the markets of the world
for all time to come.
'The decentralization that follows war and
the military spirit Is always to be deplored.
/ am opposed to the retention of these ISL
ands. Mr. President, because history
teaches US that sovereignty acquired by the
sword must be maintained by the same
means, and that power acquired by con-
quest and wealth gained by robbery ars
certain in the end to weaken and corrupt
tne posseSsor. lnls rule apples TO nations |
IS well as to individuals. | am opposed to |
IL because by such a course We revolu- |
tionize our Government. which was intend |
ed for free Republic and self governing |
people and not for subjects or vassal States |
without representation in the making and |
execution OF our laws.
II am opposed to It because 1t skaters |
the Monroe Doctrine from top to bottom. /
/ am opposed to it because | believe that |
at no distant day such course will in |
volve us in European and Asiatic quar-
rels. / am opposed to 1t because all of the |
habits, traditions, surroundings, expe- |
rience, education, and aspirations of this |
people are opposed to our theories of |
government. / am opposed to it because
such 4 course would be a reputation by |
our Government OF the principle that all |
governments must be founded on the con-
sent of the governed.