The Van Buren press., 1900-02-24
Bryan on imperialism.

revised Une Transcript.
If the sentiment Of Republican lead
ers is accurately reflected by the resolu-
ton reported by the Ways and Means
Committee of the House, making a
difference between the tariff duty in
Porto Rico and the tariff duty in the
United States, the party is taking an
open and bold step toward an imperial
policy.
Webster in defining an empire, says
that it always comprises variety in the
nationality Of, or the forms of admins
tration in, constituent and subordinate
portions
when the Queen of Great Britain
assumed dominion over India she added
to her former title Empress of India.
Under the English theory of govern
ment power descends from the throne,
and the subject exercises such authority
as the sovereign surrenders to him.
"Such government can govern the
people of England in one way, the people
of Ireland in another way, the people
of Canada in another way, and the peo-
pie of India in still another and different
way; in this country, however, power
eminates from the people, and authority
is conferred by the people upon those
who, from time to time, hold office.
THE Constitution created the Office
of Chief Executive, granted authority to
the occupant Of the Office and strictly
defined and limited his powers. TO say
that he can exercise power not con
ferred by the Constitution is to say that
the creature is greater than the creator.
"When the President or Congress does
anything which Is unauthorized the thing
done cannot be called law, because
law is the act of the people or of their
representative acting within the limit of
authority. An unauthorized act of
public servant is personal and indi-
vidual,
"'In an unlimited monarchy the
monarch can do anything that he has
the physical power to do, In republic
an official can do only what the people
authorize him to do. Constitutions are
of no avail if they can be set aside as
those who temporarily hold the Offices
created by constitutions.
"ro impose upon the people of Porto
Rico such taxes rs Congress may de-
termine when the people Of Porto Rico
have no representative in Congress to
assert either that taxation without rep
resentation is right or that IL is wise for
rs to do wrong.
"1f the people of the United States
wish TO enter upon career of empire
and possess the physical force necessary
for such career, they need not consult
the Constitutions at all, because force
knows no law. The strongest nation
has the physical right (if the word
right can be used in such connecticut
to do what 1t pleases, but the people of
this nation have never decided to enter
upon an imperial career
"When the present Congress was
elected in November, 1898, the treaty,
with Spain had not been signed, and
therefore the question Of imperialism
could not have been presented to the
voters.
IF the Republican leaders in Con
gress act without authority from the
Constitution they must do so with full
recognition of the fact that the people
who make constitutions and who elect
public officials will have chance to
speak before II republic Is converted into
an empire.
Uniformity In our tax laws Is not
only legally necessary, but it Is wise.
Unless the people of Prto Rico share in
the benefits as well rs the burdens of our
laws they have no protection whatever
against injustice and oppression,
1.-The President in his message to Con-
gress said;
&" Our plain duty is to abolish all
customs tariffs between the United
States and Porto Rico and give her pro-
ducts free access TO our markets,
ut Is fortunate for the American
people that they have IN early oppor-
tunity TO measure the weakness OF the
highest considerations of justice and
good faith and our plain duty when
they come into conflict with the personal
and pecuniary interests of people In this
country who can make their influence
felt IN campaigns,
Sometimes 1t is difficult to determine
what Is one duty in trying position,
but plain duty, such as the Presi
dent describes, ought not TO be aband
Uutu uultsS ~ NouulNNb Wltu HlUHlltSl
destiny, which, In the opinion of i'm
perialists, rises superior to duty, moral
or political no matter how plain that
duty Is,
"lf all annexed territory is given Il
territorial form of government with the
understanding that the territorial form
is merely preparation for complete
~ xg,l hs,
tolerated unless the people who are to
come In are capable of sharing In the
full destilJ of our people.
I'm annexation two questions are TO
bo conSiderod First, do the people 20
be annexed desire to come In, and se-
cond, are we willing 10 have them come
int
"Our example has already been an
inspiration to millions. Because onr
forelathers fought for liberty Others have
fought for it, because our Declaration
OF Independence was promulgated other
declarations Of independence have been
promulgated; because our Constitution
was established other constitutions have
been established Not only have we set
an example, but In the establishment OF
the Monroe doctrine we have been able
to give to smaller republics the protection
Of this, the greatest republic Of history.
1--WE have not interfered In the gov.
ernment of Mexico and the South and
Central American republics, and yet by
the simple announcement that any at'
tack upon their integrity would be con-
sidered an act of unfriendliness TO us we
have protected them from foes without,
"During the last 100 years this nation
has been the most potent factor In the
world = progress Az the nation spopu.
latiou, wealth and influence increase It's
power to do good will increase, but to
accomplish this end 1t must remain true
TO its principles and not descend TO the
level OF empires and monarchies,
"This Republic can nave no higher
destiny than TO ho u light unto the
struggling and the oppressed of every
| land II emu win thp hiuhpst glory hv