The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-25
THE ISSUE BEING JOINED.
Position the Republicans Are Driven
to Occupy.
Washington Dispatch to Boston Jour
nal)

washington Dispatch to Boston Jour
nal.)
Democratic leaders in Congress are al
ready. beginning to raise uue campaign
cry Of 1.-THE Constitution follows the flag >"
They are appearing to rally to this cry
III the presidential campaign and appeal
to popular prejudice with this as an
effective motto. Republican leaders are
prepared to meet it. They have already
mapped out the PLAN of campaign, and
for better or for worse they have ac-
cepted the issue which was forced upon
them by events. Within the last few
weeks and within the last few days the
sentiment has been crystalizing. Confer
ences have been going ON almost con-
stantly. Senators and Representatives
have participated in them, and the ad-
miniStration has taken hand. The
party leaders have deliberately come to
the conclusion that the battle must be
fought out on the question whether or
net the United States has the right to
govern outlying possessions as dependen-
ces wiIhout bringing them into the
Union.
Not all Republican leaders We're will
ing to accept this proposition when it
was first made. But events have been
hardening, and their logic has become
convincing, with a few exceptions, even
thase who still question whether it is
constitutional to hold dependencies in this
way are ready to accept the situation
as a national and political necessity.
The first test will come in the House
when the bill to create Il tariff for Porto
Rico is considered. 1t will not he a per-
feet test, because some who care little
about the constitutional question involved
are Sentimentally in favor of free trade
with this particular island. Mr.. Mccall
has presented a report arguing that by
the Constitution a tariff clnn0t be am
posed, but without regard 10 this ar
gument there are those who believe there
is no necessity for treating Porto Rico
after the manner of the Philippines.
The question is really bigger and
broader than the future of Porto Rico
or the Philippines. With the cOnSJtruc-
ton Of the Nicaragua Canal, and with
the continued enforcement of the Mon
roe doctrine. some Republican leaders
believe that sooner or latter the United
States will be confronted with the neces
sity of exercising control over some
Central or South American country, the
government of which is not able to pre-
serve and maintain peace. Nobody seeks
this, and everybody hopes That it lnay be
ayerted; but those who are far-seeing
recognize that it is not unlikely to come
so it becomes more and more impora-
tive that limit shall be fixed beyond
which the Constitution. by the force Of
its own TERMS, shall not extend, and that
the United States shall he able to acquire
territory or protect it wherever the
necessity Inay arise without comforting
citizenship upon the inhabitants or admit
ting them to representation in the home
government. Congress will enact legis-
lation for Porto Rico and fer the Phillip
pines which Will bring the issue immed-
ately to a head. and without regard
whether it will be politically expedient
or not the Administration ard Republi-
cans in Congress are ready to abide by
the issue which this legislation will
make.
They would not dare to pursue any
ether course for they believe that any
other course would be fatal to the future
of the republic.