The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-05-09
IMPERIALISM.


IMPERIALISM.
The Danger TO Which American Liber
~ Is Now Exposed.
4 college student at Due West a few day!
ago wrote to MIR. j. Altheus j ohnson a
Washington for some literature on tha Porte
Rican Tariff debate and also for some infor
nation on the subject. The following II
part OF the letter Mr.. Johnson wrote in re
ply:
"The question about the Porto Ricar
Taritf, as you know, Is not one of"Protectlon'
or Free Trade" II is a far graver one a.
indicating total departure from the princi
Piles and traditions Of our Government Th'
tariff rate for Porto Rico is different IRON
that prescribed for the other parts OF The
United States, whereas the Constitution o
the United States provides that all imposts
duties, &C., shall be uniform throughout th'
United States. The prime question. therefore
as you see, is whether Congress shall be allow
ed to 60 outside OF the Constitution wher
legislating for territory that belongs to The
United States. Congress, when Is creature
OF the Constitution, has always been supposed
to be subject to the provisions and principles
imbedded in that Instrument. Now, how
ever. under the gospel which is being preach
ed by the evangels of the present istra
ton, Congress Is supreme as TO all territory
and, hence, as TO such territory, untram eled
by the Constitution. The doctrine Is tha,
the people OF territory have not the right o
trial by jury, the writ OF habeas corpus, OF
any other of the rights guaranteed IN the
Constitution, except as such rights are
granted to them by the grace OF Congress-, or
of the person (the PresidenD 10 whom the
Congress shall delegate the power OF govern
ment. .t..'
"Such preaching is founded on q clause OF
tho Constitution which says: "rhe Con,
gress shall have power to make all needful
rules and regu lations respecting the territory
belonging to the United States." This clause,
detached by these late expounders OF the
Constitution from the balance OF the instru-
ment and viewed as an Independent Held, Is
narrowed and worked and manured In q
viii Yield iruit which would never grow or
flourish In any other. part Of the vineyard.
The missionaries who teach this new propa-
ganda indulge In more 'cant' about the
to carry" civilization" and liberty" and
"Christianity'' TO the new possessions" OF
the nation than would. supply England In
her crusade against the Beers OF South Africa.
or oppressed weaRer nation but she did II
all In the high and holy cause of "ctvillza-
tion and to carry the blessings OF "Christia'
nifty" uo
existed in territory acquired by. the United
States, and all government OF territory
was but q prepsrative for the condition OF
Statehood. which was in prospect, and the
Peopse ol lne terat0ry Ws,s enssea ffnrdsd ~ ed
Sy ths io ossr citizsns
OF the United States. NOW however, the
apostles Of this new dispensation are teach
a. snac %ssnnt eny reference
~ wbateysr as 10 statehood as 3 CONDITION.
In the remote futnre. Isany. Of the subject
people or oo!sltstss sho1ld rebel against Inc
rule mp sa.SaP
behiud hin. viii m stt1 disorder and
enforce aSos pee peace sssa sss .,s an ,nnova
t,on World Md ia III ssb al q revolution in
o1r H systeS W r. .of % s oonveriing il
nom a republic. frsaSd 5dns "a odels which
guarantee e sssps0pl the highsst. degree Of Of
sosslS s the essaPosa yaploSs
parts OF WEich s62S 21htect 10 the will or
ca price or o cenffSl 5abminating power, and
the parasitic usdnlops through whom that
R1@sr %Se they ,s s Sp rtunity @ soon de-
velop into 1IsAafa, 9 In9sbOth public and
private Life ihGy will dornineer over and
oppress those helriSes 10 fesist and regard the
rights ofothsr % the extent tae N situs,
john sMasna C4aTfas.Were themselves over
their dependent y&esals as great tyrants as
John g s Engsh had as1ogy sssy
to To- be- a7scrteds wish the baitle.axe and the
oayonetaSRinst the oppression OF irrespon.
si6ie power. fsAnd when our forefathers OF
lS To ss s 6sssase prnei.
pies according 10 which Aha rights OF person
erect lheif own they did 50
With such checks 3 ss gave az tos us
SECURING to man tho 65& 4eat 4Helopm Of
indfyidi,ai siiherty 81 : absolutely