Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-01-26
IN CONGRESS-.
Notable Speech by Senator Ross.
Legal and Constitutional Discussion Of
the Questions Involved In Governing
Porto Rico and philippines.

Legal and Constitutional Discussion Of
the Questions Involved In Governing
Porto Rico and philippines.
Senator Ross of Vermont delivered a
carefully prepared speech in the Senate
Tuesday, in connection with the resolu-
tion which he had offered on the constitu
tional questions involved in the acquisition
of Porto Rico and the Philippines by the
treaty with Spain. His argument was a
legal and constitutional discussion of the
questions raised, and il was given thought
full consideration by his colleagues. He
said the inhabitants of these islands had
not been guaranteed the rights of citizen
ship, and under the constitution, could
not be regarded as citizens of the United
States. Only by act Of Congress could
these rights be conferred upon them. In
maintaining this point, Mr.. Ross cited
numerous decisions of federal courts and
other authorities bearing upon 1t. He
quoted literally also from other treaties by
which this country had acquired addition
al territory.
He maintained that the Cubans ultimate
ly would have the right TO arraign this
nation before the bar of nations to give an
account of its voluntarily assumed steward
ship, in which many delicate questions
would be involved On this point he said:
"Yet there are those who earnestly urge
that Congress should make declaration
that the nation holds Porto Rico and the
! Philippine islands under the same undefn-
ed, yet, in sense, particular, duty. In
my judgment such a course is beset with
complications and difficulties. By adopt
ing it the nation would court these, and in
] vii Ia ha hah ~ tel de n
gender perpexing questions and entangle-
ments.
"The flag of the nation has been planted
on those islands. That is the emblem of
its policy aud ever has been. The flag
never did, and hope never may, repre-
sent but one policy. That policy is indi-
vidual manhood, the right TO enjoy relig-
ious and civil liberty, the right to stand
protected equally with every other man be-
fore the law, in the enjoyment of freedom,
of personal rights and OF property. Let
the flag, as the representative of these
principles, be planted and become domi-
nant on and over every island and every
inhabitant. No other, no better policy can
be proclaimed. In no other way can this
Congress and nation discharge its duty &c
the people Of the United States and TO the
people of the islands. Congress should
proclaim this policy by its acts, and make
no attempt TO do what it has no power tC
do-to pledge or limit the action of fu
ture Congress. Sufficient unto the day
is the duty thereof. If these principles ar,
enforced, so far as applicable to the gov
eminent or these islands, the inhabitant
will be blessed, whe, her they consen
thereto in advance or mott
Mr.. Ross argued that the people of tn
islands manifestly were not prepared u
enter upon the administration of such
government as the people Of this countr,
had. He urged, therefore, that the frs
step to be taken by Congress in the dis
charge Of its duty TO the islanders was I
create a department Of the government
charged with the duty of looking to the in
terests of the islands and Of supplying az
curate information TO Congress with refer
. ence to them. They should not, as now
, be left in charge of departments overload
ed and overworked. The second step is t
, remove all civil appointments in thei Sian
: from the realm of politics.
= In conclusion Mr.. Ross demanded ths
, 1.-THE nation take up the duty which th
Ruler of men and nations has placed upo
i it, go forward in an honest, unsel6sh, il
: telligent and earnest endeavor TO dischare
= ii for the highest interest of the natio
and of the islands, in the fear and und'
the direction of the Supreme Ruler, wi
>, guided the fathers and founders, and IL
nation will not, cannot, encounter failure.