The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-03-10
OUR NEW COLONIES.
Senator Depew Says the Philippines
Must Be Held.
Arguments of Anti-Expnnsionists
Ably Answered-The American
Flag VIII Not Come
Down

Chauncey NJ. Depew delivered ring
ing speech before the senate, Febru-
airy 81, on the question of national
expansion, addressing himself par
ticularly to the resolution proposed
by Mr.. Beveridge declaratory of pol
Icy of the United States toward the
Philippine islands. The New York
senator was never in better form, his
voice never clearer nor his admirable
command Of English and forceful ar
gument better evidenced.
The galleries were crowded in an
ticipation of listening to an grafton
of high merit on n subject to which
1t is known Senator Depew has given
close study for months past. When
rising in his seat to address the dis
tinguished audience it was quite evil
dent that Mr.. Depew appreciated the
power at his command and the effect
which his declarations might have on
the country at large. He proved him
self to be master Of his subject, ia
miliar with all the intricacies of the
eastern question and a student of that
constitutional law of the nation which
justifies the past and present attitude
of the administration toward our new
acquisitions.
He addressed himself at once to the
questions raised by the anti-imperial-
lists, declared that they were with few
exceptions purely academic and sig
niicantly added: ~
to stay by conquest and by treaty rights.
All which precedes the ratification OF the
treaty by the senate Of the United States
is an academic question"
Careful Review of the Case.
Carefully reviewing the operations
of Admiral Dewey in Manila bay, the
destruction of the Spanish fleet, the
operations of our army against the
Spaniards and then the revolt OF the
insurgents from American rule, SEN
ator Depew said:
1T think It will be admitted that there
was in the far east no one who could bind
our government to treaty obligations.
There has been read here mass OF
serenade speeches and banquet addresses
and letters from consular agents of this
country in China and the Philippines.
consul has no diplomatic authority. His
commission covers only commercial ques-
tions in the port where he resides In the
imperfections, which are still many, in our
consular service these positions are held
in many places by foreigners who do not
understand our Institutions. who receive
no salary that would tempt an American
to take the place, and yet who occupy and
administer important functions as the
commercial agents OF the republic. Treaties
involving recognition of governments and
cessions of territories are not made by un-
authorized persons in the enthusiasm OF
moonlight serenades or in the fervor Of
banquet addresses.
No Promises to AEuinaldo.
"Only the president of the United States
could bind the country, and he only with
| the subsequent assent of the senate. Only
when war is progressing can the COM
mander In chief of the army or the admiral
! of the navy make a committal which the
| president would be bound in any form to
consider or respect. Admiral Dewey alone
had that power. and he most emphatically
denies any committal whatever to Aguln-
aldo for the independence of his so-called
government. President Schurman also en-
phatically denies any committal on the sub
! ject on the part of the Philippine commits
sion. The various generals of the army
made no committals on their part All the
consuls concerned positively denied having
made any such suggestions. The instant
that there was brought to the notice of the
president and the state department a state
ment that unauthorized persons, holding
commissions from the United States for an
other purpose, had made any such sugges-
lions they were Immediately and authori-
tativeiy repudiated.
Pretext for n Government.
The government set up by Aguinal-
do was denounced as flimsy and his
history as traitor to the best inter
ests of his own people was scathingly
reviewed. There was no paragraph of
the history of American advances in
the Philippines nor of American over
lures to the insurgents ignored. But
when these had been presented in
their logical order the senator said:
"Territorially, consttutionaRy and by
the decisions of the supreme court the
United States have been expanding for
nearly century. Constitutional objection
and indiscrminate abuse preceded, attend
ed and followed each of these acquisitions.
The grim specter of the ruined republic
was each time dragged out from the stage
properties OF the spectacular drama of de-
spair, only TO be laughed back into It's
crypt by prosperity population, thriving
Industries, mutual benefits to the old and
new states, and the blessings OF American
law and liberty impressing the people with
the wisdom of the expansion. There have
been tyrants and usurpers, II President
Mckinley Is one, doing these same things
in the past as he has done, and they are
Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, James
X. Polk and Franklin Pierce"
Defines Real citizenship.
Senator Depew passed on to broad
consideration of what citizenship I'M
der the constitution Of the United
States means and how the term should
be considered in connection with the
Filipinos. lie declared:
"Citizen is broad generalization. In one
sense II includes all the Inhabitants of
every age and sex under the jurisdiction of
the United States. and to all OF them are
guaranteed protection for life, liberty.
property and religion. In another and
larger way 1t means those who. In addition
to these rights are entitled to the suffrage.
TO trial by jury and to every privilege and
protection under the constitution and laws
OF the United States The right to vote and
participate In the government has been
treated with singular freedom. Property
qualification or tax, or both. as prerequis-
lite to vote were common In all the states
until 1921 and in Rhode Island until 1883
sour friends In South Carolina, Missis-
II. ovA x.thn ota ,1d htxya rixex