Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-04-25
Senator Hoar on the Philippine
Question.


says, editoriaily: Senator George F.
Hoar, Massachusetts,, delivered YES.
terday the speech on the Philippine
question for which it has been under
stood he has been for some time pre-
parlng. His text is furnished by the
Senate resolution defining the policy
Of the United States relative TO the
Philippine Islands snd declaring that
said islands ARE territory belonging
70 the United States; that it is the
Intention Of the United States to re-
tsiu them as such and to establish
snd maintain such government con-
troll throughout the archipelago as
The sltustlOu NAV demand"
AgSius- the assertion of au impe-
risl title aud the announcement Of an
imperial policy set forth in the words
o. the resolution senator Hoar's
speech : AZ Indignant sud eloquent
protest.. ard ~ every mind which is
open 60 conviction will Be found a
convincing sud conclusive argument.
Thsre have been sble addresses de-
hvered OF both sides OF the constitu-
tional question and Of the questions
Of morals aud OF right, of expediencv
aud policy involved, during the past
twelyemonth, but none. we venture to
say, presenting such complete aud
exhaustive review of the whole sub
ject, considered in every aspect, legal
and moral, as the latest utterance of
the venerable Senator from Massa-
chusetts. 1t is not only worthy of
his own high reputation as thinker.
scholar and patriot 1t is not too
much to say that it is worthy of the
palmiest days of the Senate. of the
historic claims of the State which he
represents and of the fame of the
greatest and most eloquent of his
predecessors. tits a speech of which
Charles Sumner or Daniel Webster
might have been proud to be the au
thor.
The opening passages of the speech
are characterized by what some NAV
be inclined to set down to the con-
summate art of the orator instructed
In the schools of rhetoric to begin bv
conciliating his audience, but what
1t would be fairer, perhaps, to attrib-
ute to the natural amiabilitv and con
stitutional optimism of the man. In
spite Of all disappointments, Senator
Hosr seems to cling with almost
childlike confidence 10 his faith in
the Republican party and in Presi-
dent Mckinley. He will not believe
but that once persuaded of the error
of their ways they will return joyful
ly and gladly to the right path-the
path of "plain duty" of justice and
of the Constitution. He believes that
IN the success of the Republican par
ty the future happiness and prosperi-
ty of this Republic is indlssolubly
bound up and that eff not now. in
time 1t will retrace its steps" 'If |
could" he says, would / persuade
the great Republican party to come
back to its old faith, to its old relig-
ion, before it is too late. There is
yet time. The President has said
again and again that his is only an
0d interim policy until Congress shall
act. 1t is not yet too late. Congress
has rejected, unwisely, as | think,
some declarations for freedom. But
the two houses have not as yet COM
mitted themselves to despotism. The
old safe path, the path alike of Jus.
tice and Of freedom, is still easy. 1t
is path familiar of old to the Re-
publican party. If we have diverged
from it for the first time everything
IN our history, everything in our own
nature, calls us back"
These words will illustrate the
temper and spirit of this great speech.
If anyone expected the venerable
Senator in this, the greatest effort of
his life, to storm and scold and to in
dulge in sharp denunciation of his
colleagues he will be disappointed.
His speech will be found all the more
forcible and will gain many more
readers, if it does not make converts.
from the judicial calmness and gen.
tleness of its tone. He claims no
more than is justly his due when he
says "In dealing with this question,
Mr.. President, | do not mean to en-
ter upon any doubtful ground. i