The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-23
ghest devotion to liberty than was given

by the American people when they de-
manded the withdrawal Of Spain from Gu
la. / did not take kindly to the acquisi-
ton of the Philippines by the treaty of
Paris, and at one time I think I might
have voted against the treaty's ratihca-
ton. But have never been able to see
how the president could have concluded
treaty with Spain that did not include
cession OF the Philippine islands. That
sentiment-the sentiment for the acquisi-
ton of those islands-pervaded our entire
people.
No Abandonment with Honor.
1T has been contended that we ought TO
have demanded that Spain relnquish to
us the sovereignty of the Philippines, -
said he. land then left them to be gov
erned by their own Inhabitants but this
could not have been done. We could not
quit-claim them to the world In the In
terest Of philanthropy.
There never has been an hour since
the capitulation OF Manila to our forces
when, without dishonor to our navy, we
could have sailed away from Manila. Our
duty was there to maintain our honor and
to protect the inhabitants OF the city"
Spooner then referred to those senators
who have seemed to exult sometimes in
coupling the names of half caste Fillpinos
with that OF our own Washington" and
he read portion of a proclamation is
sued by one OF Aguinaldo's leaders warn
Ing the Filipinos in Manila that upon a
specified date 'all others would be ex-
terminated without compassion, after the
determination OF the army of occupation.
Pettigrew Denies the Record.
WAS there ever anything worse than
thatT' he demanded
Pettigrew interrupted Epooner TO declare
mat no such order or proclamation was
ever Issued. Spooner replied that It was
contained In an official document issued
by the government.
II asked for and received from the war
department six months ago a copy OF
that very order" interjected Davis, chair.
man OF the foreign relations committee.
Il deny that any such order was ever fs-
sued" shouted Pettigrew. "either by Agui-
naldo or any OF his subordnates"
The trouble with the senator from
South Dakota" replied Spooner. 'fs that
everybody is liar who does not help TO
make his case against this government"
Applause)
II protest against the use of such a doc
ument." urged Pettigrew. 'It is false and
II ought not to be here"
well. II is here" retorted Spooner
warmly. "and It is going to stay here
Does the senator deny that this is an Off
cial document
well. 1t may be an official report OF
Gen. Otis" replied Pettigrew. but 1t is a
contradiction of other information from
the Philippines"
The senator may have sources of infor-
nation among his friends I'm the Philip
pines but may be permitted" suggested
Spooner, suavely, ito doubt that they are
better than Gen Otis"
TiIlman Gets In a Word.
spooner then entered upon a discussion
OF the constitutional phases of the Philip-
pine constitution
Spooner said that the Instruction of
1873 was not much of an insurrectiop and
he was not prepared TO say that any of hte
money paid to the Spanish to secure peace
had been appropriated by Aguinaldo to his
personal purposes The Filpinos had sur
rendered their arms. He repeated that the
instruction was of little consequence,
which led Tillman to interject the remark
that 1t was true that the insurrection OF
that date was not equal to that OF the
present time
we VIII have more" responded Spoon
er, III the Democrats can't help u.s."
No Philippine Republic.
continuing, he said the so-called Philip
pine republic In existence when our troons
first Invaded Manila was not such as TO
command our recognition as had been
claimed was due. There was I'm reality no
sss'pPi"c hdtiou, anu IL would have bean
ABSURD Tor us to attempt to Recognize that
which was claimed to be such II was idle
70 say that Aguinaldo had conquered the
spanish. His warfare had been a preda-
tory one. But for the arrival of Dewey
Aguinaido would have remained In Hong
Kong and the Filipnos would but for that
event, still be subjects of Spain
Replying to Tillman, Spooner said our
eo'oU troops were In the Philippines for the
purpose OF maintaining order In territory
which had been acquired by the United
States
President Has Done His Duty.
inc United States having acquired the
Philippines by the treaty OF Paris. MIR
spooner continued. the president could do
no less than send troops to that archi-
pelago. He could not have asked Agul-
naldo for an armistice.
Say what you choose" Spooner ex
claimed about the president he has
been grossly insulted In this chamber
out ne has done his duty and done II in
way to impress on the Filipinos his
desire and the desire of the American
people-to do them good. to give them
the largest liberty possible. and he has
done 1t In disregard of hostile criticism
at home. he has done what under his
oath, ne was Obliged to do. he has sent
united states troops 10 enforce authority
over tho territory OF the United States"
Clark. Credentials Presented.
Here Sgooner suspended his remarks
until tomorrow and Carter took advan-
tage OF the hull TO present the credentials
OF AIR Clark as senator from Mon
uana, under the appointment of Acting
Governor Spriggs. OF that state, The
credentials consisted OF the governors
certificate OF appointment, Carter sim
ply asked that the certificate be read and
laid on the table. This was done The
inoiden, created ripple OF interest from
the senate. but caused no further re.
marks
Then, after brief executive session.
the senate al 3 y. M, adjourned
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