New-York tribune., 1900-04-09
MINED DOCTRINES.

1t might be we'll for our Democratic friends to
observe, now that the excitement about Puerto
Rico has abated, that the temper thus far shown
by the people has been distinctly hostile TO every
position they have taken. All popular opposition
10 duty Oh products of Puerto Rico has been
entirely due to n desire 20 absorb the island into
the United States at once and wholly. Opposed
TO the Republican view that the islands are pos
sessions but not yet parts Of the United States
there has been the hasty impatence of many
people 10 declare them parts of the United
States already, but that feeling is still more
opposed TO the Democratic contention that the
islands must not be held or reduced TO order as
property of the Nation. but must be turned over
10 their inhabitants Tagals or Cubans. Even
while denying the right Of the United States TO
tax articles from Puerto Rico, on the ground
that this one island had become subject to the
Constitution, Democratic leaders We're foolish
to declare that the island of LuZon, received
from Spain at the same time and in the saline
way, was not part of the United States and
could moi be, because n fraction OF the nha bi-
tants led by AguinaldO, were resisting United
States authority. The only honest thing to do
according 10 Mr.. Bryan and his friends, is to
leave the Philippines 10 the Tagals, guarantee
ing them independence just as it was claimed
independence had been guaranteed to Cubans
The interesting fact is that many people have
manifested much impatience with anything
short of the absolute absorption of new posses
sions into the Union. There has been much un-
thinking Indifference TO constitutional reasoning
which shows that these possessions without
positive action by Congress taking the property
Snd the people into the Union. must remain out
side of it, in way entitled 10 the constitu-
tional rights Of the people Of the United States
but under that instrument TO be governed by
think have been able 10 see that other
etruction Of the Constitution is possible. But
there are many who do not think and have
given quick expression TO their feeling that all
this outlying property should be recognized at
once as part of the Union. In a word, such
popular demand Is for expansion, instant COM
plete and unconditional.
Probably most of the people who have ex-
pressed this feeling will come 10 understand be-
fore long tina: they do not want the savage or
the ignorant haifbreeds or negroes of any of the
islands charged with power or responsibility in
the government of this country. Such people
will doubtless feel thankful 10 Congressman who
knew that the islands were not inhabited by
people like those Of Minnesota or Florida but
by persons very few of whom could read the
Constitution Of the United States in any Ian
guage and practically Zone OF them IN The Eng
Iish language. 1t will dawn upon the minds of
the impatient that some years Of educating
preparation must preccGe self government under
such circumstances Bui the first wish Of many
was for complete absorption into the Union
anyhow and as matter Of course. When ii is
followed by little knowledge and little
thought people will realize that "a fooshness
of demands made bF men like Bra-.." and Atkin-
son was wisely resisted in the OIL. safe and
constitutional way by the Republican majority.
The Democrats have nevertheless TO reckon
with popular desire for expansion the strength
of which they have not considered. IT is not an