The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-02-27

Ii, and in the meantime We propose
hat every attribute Of the constitution
shall persuade us to treat these men
absolute fairness"
Mr. Mccall. Of Massachufe tts, follow
ed. He said: IF congress has the power
to levy duties over an area comprising
territories, then the rule of uniformity
applies to that same area This Is in
accordance with the primary rules Of
construction; but the decisions of the
supreme court put the matter above
question" Citing a long n OF decis-
ions, he said: IF congress Is not bound
by these limitations against taxing un-
equally, 1t is not bound by any Iimita-
ton upon its power in the constitution
The case is conclusive so far as judi
cial authority is concerned and when
we regard the circumstances out OF
which our government n h consti-
tuition sprang, the words Of the taxing
power. the direct adjudication Of their
meaning. the long line Of authorities
which deny the existence of absolute
power in congress, 1t is clear that the
theory OF despotic power is absolutely
Irepugnant to our Institutions"
Calling attention to the fact that in
Porto Rico's case ii was a bloodless
victory for us, a case Of a territory a
part of this continent and admitted to
be within the natural radius OF u
political action and Of great importance
to our defense, he asked IL they hould
become victims OF our extortion.
How was Spain treating them, self
ish, heartless, cruel Spain? At the
time Of their deliverance they a
representatives and four sena-
tors in the Spanish cortes and helped
to make the laws for the whole Span
Iish empire. They had a 10 per cent.
duty upon goods passing between the
two countries and at the end of the
year 1898 hat duty was to disappear.
There was almost complete
for their own local affairs and a mil
lion and a half in the treasury. Look
at the practical application OF our pro-
posed tariff. Upon a territory but lit
tie larger than Rhode Island Their are
crowded 1000, 900 people. The great
question with them is the food ques-
ton. Upon many articles or o our
duties are high, but as we are large
exporters the price is not increased
to our people, but for every bag Of
-four and every barrel Of pork that goes
to Porto Rico 25 per cent. of these high
duties must be paid. Upon the impor-
tation of rice alone, I am told the du-
ties will amount to nearly S40O, 900 a
year. Is this the feast of liberty to
which we have invited those trusting
people? There is no safety in depart
ing from the constitutional rule"
Il do not care to see our flag en-
biaZon III principle Of liberty at home
and tyranny abroad. I brand with all
my energy this hateful notion, bred
somewhere in the h~eathenish recesses
of Asia, that one man may exercise
absolute domination over another man,
or one nation ver another nation.
That notion was resisted to the last
by the heroes who fought at
Bunker Hill and starved at Valley
Forge. 1t fell before the cleaning
sabres of our troopers at Winchester
and Aldee. 1t was shot to death by
our guns at Gettysburg and Appomat-
tox. A half million men gave up their
hat their country might stand
in the resplendant b of CON
stitutional liberty and that we might
have q government Of laws and not or
men, for every man, beneath the shin
ing folds of the flag"
Mr.. Moody, following, pointed gu
that the bill, taking of IS per e n of
the regular duty on Porto Rico goods
conferred q privilege and advantage
on the people of that island and their
industry which would be a boon to
any nation. He declared that the ma
jority proposed to abide by the spirit
the constitution rather than its let
ter.