The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-28
EXPANSION Of TERRITORY
Senator DePew Speaks on the
Philippine Question.
He Declares the Belief That Gov
the Islands VIII Re Y Despotism Is
horn of Ignorance or Misnppre-
hensien - Cuba mn object Lesson.

Mr. Depew addressed the Senate yester-
day at the conclusion of the routine morn
ing business on the purpose OF the United
States with reference to the Philippine ISL
ands. This was his first formal speech on
a political question in the Senate, and he
was listened TO by large audience. both
on the Senate floor and in the galleries
During his speech Mr. Depew stood beside
Mr.. Allisons seat which is nearly in the
centre of the Senate Chamber, and direct
ly in front OF the chair of the Presiding
Officer.
He spoke in part as follows:
In the wide range which has been Civ
en- to the discussion of the Philippine sub
ject. many questions have been raised
which. in my judgment have beer settled
by events They embrace our right to gov
ern the Philippines. to stay there. the ex-
istence OF de facto Philippine Govern
mcnt alleged understandings from our
Government to the Filipino Government
for recognition of its independence, the
title of the United States to the archipela-
go. the power of the United States to sub
due iusurrectlon within the islands or to
impose its laws upon their people, and the
power, under the Constitution, for the
United States to acquire territories and to
govern them, except under the familiar
Territorial form. with the understanding
that at the proper time they shall be ad-
mitted as States"
Mr.. Depew outlined the manner in which
territory has several times been acquired
by the United States. and continued:
Constitutional objection and indiscrimi-
nate abuse preceded, attended and followed
each of these acquisitions. The grim spec
ter of the ruined Republic was each time
dragged out from the stage properties of
the spectacular drama OF despair. only to
be laughed back into its crypt by pros
perity. population, thriving industries, mu-
tual benefits to the old and new States.
and the blessings OF American law and
liberty impressing the people with the Wis
dom OF the expansion. There have been
tyrants and usurpers. il President McKin-
ley is one. doing these same things in the
past as he has done. and they are Thomas
Jefferson, James Monroe, James X. Polk,
and Franklin Pierce.
"Our country on this continent. and with
out including the Spanish islands. num-
bers 3,692. .125 square miles. Washington
governed a Republic OF 1.37S,9s1 square
miles. and 2,S13,144 have been added from
the close of his Administration TO the be-
ginning of President McKinleys.
'-Our friends in South Carolina. Missis-
sippi, and Louisiana who stands shiyering
with fear lest the Filipinos. by becoming
citizens, will have the constitutional right
to vote, or by being deprived of that vote
will become the victims Of despotism
more autocratic than Russia, have found
no difficulty In excluding from the ballot
large number OF their citizens. South
Carolina. by the new constitution of the
State, makes the requisite for voting the
ability to read understandingly the Con-
stitution of the United States. and the
possession OF $500 worth Of property.
If this test were imposed on the Philip
pines it would effectually deprive the whole
native population CT the suffrage. They
make for their denial of the consent Of
the governed the ingenious plea that
neither by the Declaration of Independence
nor the Constitution did the negroes ac-
quire rights or recognition; that the
fathers never meant to include them. Ger
tainly, IL this be true. it applies with
greater force to the alien races who in
habit the Philippine Islands. whose ex-
istence was unknown to the signers OF the
Declaration, the trainers of the Constitu-
ton. or, in the language of that instru-
ment, to We, the people OF the United
States who to secure the blessings OF
liberty to ourselves and to our posterity
do ordain and establish this Constitution
for the United States of America
by uniform legislation from the forma-
ton OF the Republic and by repeated and
clear decisions of the Supreme Court these
principles are established: First, that the
Constitution thus formed was meant for
the States OF the Union as they severally
adopted 1t. Second, that it becomes oper-
atiye upon every State subsequently ad
mitted into the Union. ThiId that it does
not extend by its own force over territory
acquired after the adoption of the Consti-
tuition. but that Congress has the power to
grant SO much of its provisions as it deems
wise.
at has been repeatedly said here that
government by the United States in these
islands will be a despotism. Such a belief
shows a singular ignorance or misappre-
hension of the constitutional limitations
upon our powers and the spirit OF our in
stitutions. While the Constitution does not
extend over the Territories of its own force
and without legislation, Its prohibitions are
binding on Congress. In those proAibi
tions which are also privileges enjoyed by
the people wherever our jurisdiction ex-
tends is complete charter OF rights which
Congress can neither limit nor impair. All
personal privileges and immunities. such
as religious freedom. property rights, free
dom of speech and of the press. and equal
ity before the law, must prevail wherever
our flag floats. But outside OF the Consti-
tuition and laws is an unwritten law Gre
ated by the genius of the institutions OF
the paramount power and controlling its
acts and officials in all colonial govern
ments.
1.-The markets for the products OF our
farms and factories accessible by the At
lantic ocean will soon be filed But across
the Pacific are llmitless opportunities.
Within a distance from Manila not much