New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-09
AN ATTACK WITHOUT SENSE.

The debate in the Senate is largely a test Of
sanity. Nominally it is on a proposed cOndem-
nation by the Senate of action taken already
by two-thirds of the Senate, by majority Of
the House and by the Executive Were the
Senate to declare that the United States ought
10 throw away or give away the Philippine
Islands. and were the House to pass the same
declaralory resolution. il would be of no effect
until both houses had again passed it by a two
thirds vote over the Presidents veto, and even
If that could be done it would be of no effect
because, like all the arguments of those who
oppose retention of the islands, it would be
meaningless and void in the absence of any
definite provision to whom they should be given
or how TO throw them away. Yet under
these extreme circumstances debate on the pro-
posed declaration would not necessarily imply
insanity if Senators who favor il could in their
speeches take cognizance of the facts that ex-
list and propose some way to meet them. Not
one does or will. 1t is not the language Of i'm
patience. but will be the sober judgment of his
tory, that only men of disOrdered minds could
labor in argument for declaration entirely I'M
connected with existing facts. opposed by more
than twO-thirds. though needing more than two
thirds TO pass it, and wholly meaningless and
void If it were passed.
II is a disorder of mind. of course. to be such
q partisan in hostility to the Administration as
10 engage in a debate so pointless and unrea-
sonable merely in the hope that the Government
Of ones country may thereby be dishonored.
Men commonly call such partisanship frantic
or unreasoning or insane when it drives out OF
persons the wish TO defend the honor and good
name Of their country. But the Republicans
who argue for a declaration which is at once
impossible and meaningless have not the ex-
cuse Of partisan fanaticism. They have strong
motives Of personal and political character to
prevent an assault upon the honor of their
country when no practical end can he gained
by il or is by them expected to be gained It
is reported that Senator Hoar remarked that
be could not sleep nights because of his in
tense feeling about the terrible war in the Phil
ippines 1t would be more ineligible If he said
General Lawton's letter would not let him
sleep
The discussion in the Senate would end very
quickly IL there were any parliamentary rule
IN that body under which one could be required
10 set forth some distinct and practicable thing
TO be done before he could waste time in talk
ing. But the men who say they want to turn
over the Philippine Islands to their inhabitants
would not pretend to know, II asked, what par
ticular inhabitants they meant In the many
Islands IN which savsges far outnumber other
inhabitants, and are kept back or kept down
only as sayages have been in this country,
would the mastery be turned over 10 the ma
jOrity or to the usuFping Spanish or Malay
minority? In the many islands where races
hostile TO the Tagals constitute the large ma
5ority, and have aVowed allegiance to and ac-
cepted the protection Of the United States should
these be left TO the ravages Of Tagals armed by
Chinese or German schemers in order to keep up