Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-10-16


the expectation Il from sozne other
cause3
The truth ii. II Is Tor some other
cause There wa q war with Spains
and q war ID South Africa. We ind
there was a panic In 1879. We did not
charge that to the Democratic party.
The panic OF 1893 came from conditions
proceeding it 1t is entirely unfair for
the Republican party to claim credit
for the prosperity of the last three
years.
Mr.. Raymond then showed that GER
tain communities were prosperous be-
cause of certain peculiar conditions,
giving the town OF Clarksburg as an
example.
The Trust Question.
Continuing, he said, the Dingley tar
lift bill has been fruitful of prosperity
in a certain line. 1t has been a period
of prosperity for trusts, which have
creased and multiplied under it. Are
trusts good things? Our Republican
friends started out with an affirmative
swe to this question, but they have
changed front now. We find no uni
formity of teaching on that question
now. They are confused. But we
know that the trusts exist; w know
that they destroy competition by COB
bling up or crowding out small indus
tries; and we know that they pay
enormous dividends by collecting
hitherto unheard of profits from the
consumers.
There is another issue, a vital one
to American institutions, and l some
times think it is born of the trusts. 1t
is the issue of Imperialism. 1t is the
question of whether the American citi-
zen is to be permitted to maintain his
constitutional rights, or whether he Will
permit the President to usurp the rights
of the people. Alexander Hamilton had
a theory, based upon life tenure in Of
fee, but he thought a constitutional
amendment was necessary. He argued
that England had the best form OF
government. To-day we have a Pres
ident who does not ask for a constitu-
tional amendment, but usurps our
rights. 1t is not only our right but
our duty, to review these acts and see
whether they are consistent with our
wishes.
Cuba was struggling for freedom
from the yoke of Spanish tyranny.
American sympathy. for the patriots
grew, and eliminated when the Maine
was destroyed, in a popular demand
that Spain should be punished and Cuba
should be freed. We specifically de-
clared that it was not Jul purpose to
acquire territory, but simply to aid a
struggling and oppressed people. War
was declared, and our nation demon
strated it's power upon land and sea.
That done, the people had all they ask
ed for of the administration. But what
do we find? We find the growth of ma
other and a dangerous sentiment
among the Republican leaders. We
find Admiral Dewey at Manila not only
to destroy the Spanish fleet, but also
To Acquire Territory.
We had a right to suppose from Nc
Kinley's public utterances that no such
thing would be attempted.
We assured Aguinaldo and his forces
that they would not be subjected, and
we submitted Jul constitution for their
examination. Then they joined forces
with us and helped to drive Spain from
that Island. Now what are We doing?
We have broken faith, and now we are
shooting them.
The speaker took up the question of
title to the Philippines, acquired by the
United States for SIC, 000, 900, and dis
cussed the legal aspect of the matter.
He ridiculed the idea that this nation
could purchase sovereignty in the Phil
ippines. He showed that Aguinaldo
organized a civil government on the
Islands, and said it was a well settled
international law that a nation could
not sell sovereignty when it did not
control the territory. We must therefore
claim it by virtue of the treaty, but
we can acquire no title in that way, as
the Islands were in possession of the
insurgents.
The administration then took mill
tary possession of Manila. Now we are
warning with the people who are strug-
Cling for freedom.
We Got No Sovereignty
as Spain had none to give. We can
not acquire possession by force. We
are trying to get their territory for
what? To make States for this Union?
That is the only reason under u con-
stitution that we could do it. That
is not the purpose, but If it is, do we
want them? The speaker argued the
negative side of the proposition, show
ing clearly that the Philippines would
be of no advantage to this nation. Re-
publicans undertake to justify it by
speaking of the expansion OF Jefferson.
AS a matter of fact, you can't induce a
Republican to get down and argue the
question. 1t would not be a wise move,
ever If it were legitimate expansion.
Blu. it is not the purpose to make
States of the Philippines. Congress
never declared war against the people Of
those Islands. Spain has been fighting
the Filipinos for years. When will
we ever accomplish their subjugation?
Let us look at our conduct with regard
to Porto Rico. 1t came to us also by the
treaty of Paris. The President declared
for free trade with the Island. That
would have been the voice of every
American citizen. Those people vel
coined our flag, were glad to accept our
government. But the President has
changed base. Why? First, the sugar
trust insisted that a tariff remain on
Porto Rican sugar. Its influence was
SO strong that1he President and Con-
gres had to submit.
Mr.. Raymond said the present policy
of the administration tends to weaken
u government, and can have no other
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