Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-29
The Dream of Statesmen


at has been the dream of American
statesmen for three-quarters of a century
to make the great republic the friend and
protector of the weaker South American
republics, he declared, until finally the
colors of our flag might intertwine with
theirs the symbol of mutual trust, mutual
affecton, mutual trade, mutual prosperity
and mutual defense. Into deeds this great
| thought has gradually grown, as all vital
thoughts do grow, and must, until pan
American congresses actually convene be-
| meath the stars and stripes, and the bu-
reau of American republics is part of
| the machinery of our progressive govern
ment. Senators, our growing influence in
South America is fraught with blessings to
the republic, second only to the trade of
| the golden orient. This great advantage
| this long-fostered influence in South Amer
lea, We propose to foster still. We have
appropriated the s2,0OO.OOO ready money
suggested by the President. We will adopt
civil government and reciprocal trade.
And thus, by generosity without prece-
dent, we establish forever our friendship
| with all Latin America, which republican
statesmen have SO long, SO patiently and
SO painfully been erecting. We heed the
past; we open our eyes to the future; we
accept the lamp for our feet, which Gods
great goodness has given us.
why will Latin Americans be pleased by
this course? Why, senators, think of the
circumstances. This island of beauty and
natural wealth came to US like bride to
the arms Of her beloved. Where Luzoa
resisted Porto Rico submitted-no, she did
not submit: she welcomed US. Where Cuba
was and is Quarrelsome and turbulent, Por-
to Rico was and Is tranquil and meek, and
utters no protest even in her hunger.
VIII Support Modified Bill.
II favor immediate reciprocity, and 1
shall go on record as voting for amend
ments giving immediate and unrestricted
freedom of trade to our Island of Porto
Rico. But II we in the Senate who believe
that Porto Rico should have reciprocity at
once are not able to SO amend the bill here
l shall, after voting for reciprocity amend
ments, vote for the civil government bill as
| modified by the committee, because We must
not deny civil government to the people of
Porto Rico a moment longer. and because
the bill as modified insures free trade with
Porto Rico as soon as the civil government
| of that island provides a system of taxation
Of Its own.
$50 that the sooner Porto Rico gets civil
government the quicker it will get free
trade under the notifications which the
committee have made to the bill should
be glad If the bill could be SO separated
| that we might vote for civil government
without the revenue feature, although the
committee have modified that feature so as
to insure early freedom Of trade. But as
the bill stands, unless we can amend 1t We
must vote for it as modified by the commit
tee or else vote against civil government
altogether. and civil government must no
longer be denied to the people of Porto Rico.
is denial of justice.
Will Vote for Civil Government.
"And so I shall vote for the civil govern
ment bill because 1t does establish civil gov
| eminent at once, and because, under the
| modification by the committee, it also es-
tablishes absolute reciprocity in the near
| future. 1t ought to establish unrestricted
trade instantly. and 1t may be that the
House will so amend 1t. II We should not SO
amend It here. But II we are not able to so
amend 1t here, and II the House should not
SO amend it, but adopt the modified civil
government bill. the committees modfica-
ton does give us the absolute certainty of
unrestricted trade at no distant date. The
bill as a whole, while not what I would
have 1t, in its failure to give immediate
and unrestricted, trade to Porto Rico and
In other particulars, nevertheless does es-
tablish civil government which may not be
delayed another moment, and does insure
early reciprocity. and SO is a step in the
right direction In our progress as an adj
mtnistertng nation, and Is q RECOGNITION of