The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-08
THURSDAY. MARCH S. 1900.
TIE PORTO R1CAN TARIFF UN-
CONSTITUTIONAL.

&j1kNS
I The true relation which Porto Rico and
Porto Rica1.s assumed towards the rest
of the United States will never be under
stood by any one until he fully realizes
and grasps the true significance and con-
sequence of our making the Fourteenth
amendment to the Constitution of the
United States a part of our organic law.
When IL is understood that that second
.Nagua Charter made all Americans.
wherever they may dwell, citizens of the
fundamental privileges and immunites of
relationship that no earthly power can de-
f.prive them of, then it will be seen that
whenever territory is annexed to the
fJnited States, those who inNlabit that ter
bIitory become citizens of the United
them with legislation that does not bear
in exactly the same way upon all other
citizens of the United States wherever
they may dwell.
We We're little appalled, at first in
summing this idea to its logical conclu-
sion and perceiving that it would convert
all the Chinese, Nalays and :Iotentots in
the Philippine Islands into citizens of the
limited States entitled in America to all
the rights and privileges of other citizens
of the United States. But cur argument
is not TO be lodged because it leads to
conclusions that we would be glad to
avoid. There is no real difficulty in this
case, however.
1t does not follow, because we wrested
the Philippine Islands from Spain and
forced her to cede them to us, that we
{ are bound to incorporate them into the
United States as a part of this Union
and 10 convert their inLna bitants into cit-
Tcns of the United States. When terri
9 tory is ceded TO us, is the result of war
with foreign popc it does not lie with
that foreign power, or with the inhabi-
tan.s Of the territory coded, but with US,
to determine whether the territory and
the Inhabitants shall become a part Of
s our Union. We may mike then, so if we
please or nc may set the territory up as
6 u separate nationality If we choose. This
considera ton fixes definitely what our
duty is in respect to the Philippines. We
are not willing to make their senai-saN-5
ages citizens Of the United States, but
ne ca mot Incorporate the islands into
tho United States without making their
inhabitants citizens of the United States
entitled to all the privileges and iIn1,tuni-
ties OF otner citizens of the United States.
IL is plain, therefore, that We should re-
tain possession OF the islands until We
have restored order there and established
stable government and have learned
that the people are capable of ruling
themselves. when we should release them
d and set them up in business for them
selves
The line OF argument we have been
pursuing in this series of articles would
be more readily apprehended If some other
territory were in. question But we re-
volt instanctireay 1Iom asoociating ILL
s governed Spanish provinces with their
Il Inongrel populations with ourselves and
cur free institutions. The case would be
very different. IL NE had M.rcsted the
province Of Ontario from Great B11ta
as The result o. q Wal VIZ 'tet. - = :
should naturally concede to the Cana
dams. whom ne took In. every right which
ne possessed. and howl Of indignation
Il would al once go up Il 1t We're suggested
& 10 hold them in subsection and treat them
as an inferior sort Of Americans.
=---------
IL THE STATE AND THE CHILDREN.
The T-ankain Times-D Democrat repro,
81 siuces some remarks OF ours concerning
rel eious instlp esbion In the public schools
and adds:
If the principle of the separation @,
Church and State be disregarded and
81 state onictals enter into TIE DOMAIN OF
gdon. there is no stopping plars s},eil
of religious uni orIaity enforce ny civil