The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-08-18
OUR INSULAR FELLOW CITIZENS

To the current number of the Mer.
chants Association Review Judge E
| A. Belcher of the Superior Court con.
tributes an interesting article, the cap
lion of which is- What Shall Be the
Status of the Natives of Our Insulal
Territorial Possessions?" The scope
of the article is sufficiently indicated by
he following statement of its con-
tents:
The purpose of this article is to
show that the constitution does no,
ioes not extend TO our insular terri
Lorial possessions; that the natives ol
our insular territoriaNpossessio pos
sess no rights under the constitution
that, apart from treaty stipulation,
the congress is not bound to any par
ticular policy concerning all or any oi
the inhabitants OF any of our outlying
territorial possessions, and. as a COR
ollary, that the federal constitution
becomes operative only when an Or
ganic territorial act containing its own
limitations has become effective: and.
inally, that it is highly inexpedient
that the native races of our insular
territorial possessions should ever be
admitted to United States citizen
ship"
Judge Belcher quotes large number
Of judicial decisions upholding the
lA;trines outlined in the above excerpt.
and from them he argues intelligently
10 establish the fact that no territory
acquired by the United States is en-
titled TO the protection of the consti-
tuition until action has been taken with
respect 10 il by congress.
There is not much difficulty. how
ever, in reconciling jude Belcher's
doctrine with our doctrine that the con-
stitution follows the flag. II we admit
that the constitution and the flag COM
bine to throw their protecting shield
over outside people after congress has
acted upon territorial acquisition.
he agrees with US entirely in our con-
tention that the constitution and flag
so hand in hand together Just why
the constitution is not extended on
principle to outside territory upon the
ratification of the treaty by which il
is acquired. however. does not appear
clear to our mind. even in the face Of
the decisions quoted on the judges side
of the controversy.
But the greater and more important
question discussed by Judge Belchsr
Is that concerning the expediency OF
comforting upon the inhabitants Of
these insular possessions in the near
future American citizenship He fat
ly asserts that the non-assimilible ma
terial which confronts us In all of them
cannot be admitted into fellowship
with the present citizens without en-
dangering the safety of the republic
and perhaps destroying its integrity.
The problem as stated by Judge Bel
cher is, indeed, the momentous one If
the future. since it is quite certain
that the Ration has already embarked
upon a voyage OF foreign exploration
which is bound TO result in extending
its flag 10 other regions of the earth.
What shall be done with the Hawaii |
ans. the Fflipinos. the Porto Ricans |
ind the Cuhans-after we have scS
luired Cuba, as Is already manifest |
iestiny-must give the statesmen u |
The future pause. for Judge BelcAer |
says there win be no escaping the /
'rEohiem." Precisely where the Hne |
IS 10 be drawn between the races. how
syer, can now only be discussed. Per
aaps the whole thing xiil ultimately
y boiled down 10 an educational quail /
heayicn for voting--an expedienf nor
,orfmon-co the sonthern states for re-
iucing the political activ5ty Of tAe
'olorsd pop0ission-SsnS FraaelsU
Post