Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-12-20

ly of their liberty. 1t is one thing to
tolerate condition that already eX-
lists, and it is another thing TO create
condition that is wrong. Our faith
crs were not content TO hold things in
tenure of another mans benevolcncc.
Their fight was for that constitution,
and not for letter Of construction.
"Why should we make use Of one
tariff law for the states and another
for the territories? Is it that we pro-
pose TO have territories for cOloniza-
tion, crown colonies, and that we are
TO be u world power? Congress has
the power to lay duties, imposts, etc,
but all duties shall be uniform
throughout the United States. There
is only one door Of escape. 1T is to
deny that the territories are a part OF
the United States. Can duties be lev
led in New York to be expended Tor
the education, etc, in Porto Rico II
Porto Rico Is not a part OF the United
States? Region which is governed
for the general welfare Of the United
States is a part OF the United States.
"Thc flag cannot stand for the ben
cvolcnt policy Of one administration.
1t stands for a pcrmancncy. If the
act Of acquiring territory does not cX-
tend TO II the constitution, nothing
will, except by its admission as a
state. That we give back TO Porto
Rico all the money we get from her Is
not cxcusablc. When tribute IS
levied and then returned as u bcnc-
faction, it Is only to declare the terri
tory in II state OF vas5alagc.
at Is said that expansion is the
law Of national life, but expansion
may be dropsical The conquest Of
the Dutch Republic has not strength
cnod Britain. 1t has multiplied II
disappointed people. 1t has made a
revelation to her that there is need Of
larger armies and coast dGICnsCS at
home | do not argue against CXpan-
sion, but the Old coach may be sal
cr vehicle for the folks than the biCy-
Gle.
4" Some people claim that only such
territory should be annexed rs can
rabiOnalIy he shaped into states. At
any rate, in the case Of the Philip
pines, territory has been taken. No
pledges have been advanced the Fill
pnOs. 70 all appearances they are
part Of our domains, and must yield
10 our dominion.
"1hc pcrpIcXing feature of the
problem before NJ Is the actual status
Of the islands Of Porto Rico and the
Philippines. II we permit the holding
Of slaves in the new territory, it
would seem that the government
would permit it elsewhere. our pos
ition toward the islands, apparently,
IL this: A nation Of free Americans
can be trusted TO deal bcneVOlcntly
with you But the fact cannot be
disrcgArdcd that when tribute is lev
led and then returned M II bcncIicc
under The present conditions, nothing
other than a state of Vassalagc can be
claimed.
"Thc man whose protection against
wrong depends upon the hcncvOlcncc
Of another man or Of II congress is II
slave. ! have been making no nrgu-
ment against expansion rs policy.
For one who has gone out Of the
service, but who still loves his cOUn-
try, | cannot rejoice in the acquisi-
tiOn of lands Mt the cost Of abandon
mcnt of the old American idea that
government 10y absolute power is in
tolcrablc under the constitution Of the
United States. 1t is an impOssibility.
God forbid that the day shall ever
come to an American mind the thought
that man is Il consumer above the
thought that man is Il creature Of
God, endowed with naliCnabIc