Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-25
u. S. KINDERGARTEN


as It might buy cattle to rule over them as
their owner: In the other case the govern
ment was equally powerful. and might also
admit the purchased or conquered territory
into the Union as states.
by an act Of sovereignty as despotic as
the corresponding acts of France and Spain
Jefferson and his party had annexed to the
Union foreign people and a vast territory.
which profoundly altered the relations OF
the states and the character Of their ma
t:onality BY similar acts they governed
both"
DespOtic Rule of Louisiana.
A bill for the temporary government Of
Louisiana. emanating from the executive,
was introduced and passed.
ut was a startling BILL says Thomas H.
Benton, continuing the existing Spanish
government; putting the President in the
place Of the King Of Spain; putting all the
territorial officers in the place of the king $
officers. and placing the appointment of oil
these officers in the President alone with
out reference to the Senate. Nothing could
be more incompatible with our Constitution
than such governments mere emana-
ton Of Spanish despotism. in which all
powers. civil and military, legislative, ex-
ecutive and judicial, were in the intendant
general. representing the king; and where
the people, far from possessing political
rights. were punishable arbitrarily for pre-
Stunning to NEEDLE with political subjects"
Federalists objected that the bill was I'M
constitutional. Republicans replied that
Congress had a power in the territories
which could not be exercised in the states.
and that the limitations Of power found in
the Constitution are applicable to states and
not to territories.
Later, by act of Congress. Louisiana was
divided at the 83d parallel. The country
north of that line was subjected to the
Of territory the
southern section the bill created terrific
rial government in which the people OF
Louisiana were to have no share. The gov
ernor and secretary were to be appointed
by the President for three years: the legis-
lative council consisted of thirteen mem
bers. to be appointed by the President with
out consulting the Senate. Senator Adams
during the debate on the bill offered a reso-
luton to the effect that no constitutional
power existed to tax the people of Louisi-
ana without theiraeonsent, and carried but
three votes with him in support of the
principle. Representative Campbell said
Of the bill: 1T r1eaai1!y| establishes COM
plete despotism; it does not evince single
trait Of liberty; it 6loesnnot confer one sim
gle right to which, they are entitled under
the treaty; 1t does.uot extend to them the
benefits Of the federal Constitution or de-
clare when hereafter they shall receive
Louisiana" sa " Henry Adams re
ceived a governmens in which the people
who had been solemHly promised all the
rights of America.aI citizens were set apart
not as citizens but as subjects"
At that time the American republic to
which the flag meant freedom contained
only $4,000 square miles: the American
monarchy of Louisiana to which "the flag
meant despotism'' contained 100000 square
mics. VIII the republic of today with its
1908. S44 square miles, extending from ocean
to ocean, be overcome and hurled to de-
struction by a monarchic annex on the or
der of Louisiana, containing only $4,000
square miles and on tho other side OF the
world?
Other Victims of American Oppression
New Mexico began to be governed by the
United States without the consent of Its
people. who had enjoyed and had never
abJured the rights. privileges and immuni-
ties Of citizens of the republic of Mexico; a
revolt by the Mexican. George Washington
Aguinaldo was crushed mercilessly by the
grinding oppressors, the American despots
who struck down New Mexican liberties:
military government and government by
Congress, through the machinery Of an or
E1nized territory. have in succession ruled