New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-16

ages of the islands, Mr.. wocott said, "than
asking them TO take pot luck with American
laws and American government and the proud
destiny Of the American Republic"
COMPELLED TO TAKE THE ISLANDS.
Turning TO the other view of the case Mr..
Wolcott said that while the utterances of Mr..
Pettigrew were deporable he was still unable
20 acquiesce in the utterances of the extremists
the other side. We had taken the Philippines.
he said, not as conquest, but as one of the
highest duties owed the human race. We
had entered into the with Spain because we
could not listen to the cries of distress that
from Cuba. We had girded up loins for the
fray with the assertion that were not en-
tering upon a war Of aggression. When We be-
gan the war one dreamed of the Philippines,
but when it closed so quickly and 50 VIGOROUSLY
we found five million people suffering from OPP
preston and cruelty. Spain defeated and bank
rupt. and the Philippine Islands floating dere-
let. We had taken them because to have al
lowed them to drift helplessly into the power OF
another would have raised international COM
plications. We would have been compelled to
take them had they even been bleak and bar
Ten as the Desert Of Sahara Mr.. Wolcott said
we might be compelled TO keep the islands in
definitely
Mr.. BEvERIDGE's SPEECH CRITICISED.
He then directed his attention to the speech
delivered by MT. Beverage last week He did
not approve Of the resolution Of Mr.. Beveridge.
The Senator from Indiana had told of nuggets
or GOLD, of a mountain of gold, of coffee, of
hemp. of corn. of the rich and tempting valleys
OF Luzon, and he had seid our commerce by the
retention of the islands would be richly re-
wardeo. Mr.. President" said Senator Wolcott
The argument of the Senator from Indiana is
base and sordid. This war. If we consider first
our duty to the people Of the islands, is the
noblest ever fought, but If purpose in re-
tanning them is that they are rich, the war will
go down miserable and degraded a one as
ever disgraced the history of the Middle Ages"
There was a disposition. he continued re-
ferring again TO Mr.. BeVeridge's speech, to treat
the questions involved with a sentimentality
somewhat maudin There were too many refer
ences to Almighty God. History had taught him
that God usually fights the side of the heav-
lest battalions. It possible, he said, that we
were chosen people, as Mr.. Beveridge had said
whom God Almighty had made trustee for the
civilization Of the world. But If so would
need TO treble our fleet of war vessels, We would
nave to join England and Germany In the par
tition of China must needs seize Madagascar
and Port Arthur My own idea Of the mission
of America" said the Senator, lis that 1t is the
last hope of republics; that our broad large, fer
tile area will gradually fill up by the admission
OF the foreigners and oppressed OF other lands
noblest and highest social problems. We will
say TO the rulers of the Old World You may
NIT but this continent shall forever be devoted
TO liberty; you shall not step your foot upon it.
That is destiny. believe it is Idle to talk of
our being Gods chosen people"
THE MISSION OF AMERICA
Mr.. wolcott said he was startled by Mr. Bev-
eridge's statement that charity did not begin at
home but filtered in from the outside. With
the municipal corruption that all admitted ex-
listed. It ridiculous to talk of appointing a
lot Of Indiana politicians in the Philippines and
letting the reflected glory of the Republic shine
across the TO make their administration
pure and holy. If that so, then the islands
would be worth millions. though they only
sisted Of lava beds, the craters Of dead vol
canoes. We were bound to make many mistakes,
and before We finished we might believe we had
taken over from Spain home for incorrigibles.
But" continued Mr.. Wolcott "in the closing
year Of the century, when the world is growing
more benehcent, when the rich growing
richer and the poor richer. too. the time will
come. if We do our duty, when the which
now shines so brightly over our own country
will shed its refugent rays upon far distant
seas"