The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-03-23

conveyed 10 huEtand DIS tenoer Oh goo
Offices In aid Of peacs In this, as In every
other exigenoy, the President has acted
with the highest good sense and will
have his reward in the confidence which
his country has In It and IN him.
IL IL true that our territorial acquiHi-
lions have brought new and most serious
problems. The Philippine island are
ours by our victory over Spain and by
purchase for price which Congress paid
and for which Spain conveyed them to
US by the solemn compact Of treaty.
They are ours. too, also By the aoquies-
ence OF the largs part Of the native In
hahitants. IL is not theory which CON-
fronts us, but condition. We therefore
ask our critics not to spin theories Of
what might have besn done, but to 90
operate with MS and help us to take up
our duty and discharge 1t. Here again
the calm, judicial mind will diforiminate
between the risht.meaning. but uuduly
apprehensivs men who really bslieve in
the 81 ectre of Imperialism and the shrewd
leaders Of the Democratic party who are
using that term simply as party cry
and as a lever with which to win a
political advantage. Half the people Of
the Philippine islands are finding no
fault but are adapting themselves COR
daily to the new aud better, order of
things. The President IL now sending
out commission, composed, az every body
admits, Of the very best men that this
country can afford, to carry to 90 mple-
ton the WORK Of establishing local and
general governmsnts, In which the Fill
pinos are to have full share.
AS to the acquisition of the Phillip
pines, we may differ about terms and
theories, but do we not all agree first
that the United States is now responsible
for these islands; second, that We cannot
them; third. that IL we were to adopt
the plan Of leaving them TO themselves,
under a sort Of remote and protectorating
bepe diotion, We should simply invite In
ternal disorder, outside interference from
oreignf nations, national complications
and @ great deal more war and blood
shed; fourth, that what we are all now
aiming at and ought to aim at is to ac-
oomplish those very results OF peace. good
order, education, ana the better tbinRs.
Now l know that our so-"alled anti
imperialist friends will not nccept word
of this. beg them to accept conditions
as they are. IL they help to bring in Mi.
Bryan on the cry of anti.imreI ialism
which the Democratic party has token
ur, as you know, rs a campaign cry, IL
would no more let the Philippines 60
than 1t would part with the collector
ship of n custom house.
What is needed even in their own be-
bali, Ia net the antsgonism of those OF
our Republican friends who have gone
off nj n ha nm
but their cooperation. The administra-
ton Is fioundering In no uncertainty. 1t
is pursuing q straight forward course to
order and peace and teneficient govern
ment. Tie Republican party win sus-
tain 1t.
in dealing with our new island terri
tories, the interesting question has arisen
whether the Limitations OF the Csnstitu-
ton extend by Its own foroe to them or
whether Congress has full power over
them. For myself have never doubt
ed that Webster the great expouuder OF
the Constitution. was right In the opin-
Ion which he so clearly stated, and which
IS recognized In the treaty OF peace with
Spain, by which these islands were coded
to us. that they are subject to legislation
by Congress.
The Republican party was founded up
on the principle that the ConstitGt iou
did not Of its own force carry slavery into
the territories. but that these by the plain
letter of the Constituti9p, are subject
TO such rules and regulations as Congress
shall determine. Let no man fear that
this Interpretation OF the Constitution
will deprive these new people Of any of
the great fundamental OWL rights which
will 30 TO them, Constitution or no Con-
stitution. as a part Of the very breath Of
the nostrils Of an American.
What IL constiutionally true OF the
Philippines, is true also of course Of Por-
to Rico. The vital principal at stake is
the constitutional one. or one thing l
am sure that Porto Rico In its present
ne cef sity, needs present and immediate
help, and that help has been given at tn,
wise suggestion of the President By an
appropriation OF more than g, coo. COO
for her relief.
My own view, like that expressed by
the President, In bis message. Is that In
regard to Porto Rioo there should have
been free trade, not as a constitutional
right. but a. a discreet act Of Congress.
But also think there has teen a great
deal of exnRgsrstion OF tie Importance
Of the question of subjsoting imports
from Porto Rico to a customs duty. OF
the constitutional right TO impose IL, 1
have no doubt. OF its wisdom, Congress
must judge.
a.There Is strength in the argument for
This small customs tariff on Imports
from Porto Rico. that it Is the easiest
way for the internal expenditures OF Por-
the Porto Rioans on an equality with
ourselves by giving them free trade, 1t
IL onlys because 1t gives them something
more liberal even than free trade with
out the relief and returns above stated
would be. Its peop'e never were Ind uced
by any act of the United States to trans
fer their allegiance to the United States.
They never surrendered to Us. They
were SURRENDERED to us by Spain. They
are a new trrst In our hands. Hith erto,
and waiting congressional action, they
have Esen under the military government
OF the President. Rome was not built
In a day, and the Repu blican PARTY IL not
to be turned down because In q single
year 1t cannot make n paradise; but 10
can be trusted to deal honestly, fairly
and rIghteously with Porto Rico.
l confess that am not forcibly struck
with the objection that lt Is dangerous
and insquitable that SONS OF the admin
istrativs laws applying to our new pos
sessions. like Porto Rico. should differ
from those which apply in the states.
The nation has endured for over a GEN.
tury with one Law for msn, another for
for oh Nhea