Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-09-07

stiles, the number and character of the in
habitants. New Mexico, which first Of
fered herself as a state with constitution,
two senators and representative, has been
territory under tutelage now for 80 years.
Yet these territories have all been govern
ed justly and without complaint.
Do these leaders claim that Congress
should declare what some future Congress
es should do IL the inhabitants arrive at
certain stage of civiliz ;tion, and that the
failure to do this differentiates the action
of President Mckinley and the late Con
gress from that of jefferson and Monroe
and the Congresses of their day? 1t can
not be that they rely upon this for declar-
ing this issue. They must know that the
present Congress cannot forecast nor bind
the action of future Congresses. Every
Congress will and must act with view to
the best interests of the inhabitants of the
islands-unless in conflict with the welfare
of the inhabitants of the nation-as those
interests exist when action is demanded.
These Democratic leaders must know that
such pretended declared policy would and
could have no binding force, especially
when the character of each succeeding
Congress is to be determined by the voters
of the country.
They complain because after the treaty
with Spain was ratified the Bacon resolu-
tion, declaring future policy in regard to
the disposal of the islands, was not adopt
81 oil i'm, with
any sincerity. They must know that after
the treaty was ratified the Bacon resolution
could bind only the Congress which passed
it, and that that Congress was then draw
ing its expiring breath.
Nor can they honestly claim that Presi-
dent Mckinley and the Republican party
have done any imperialistic act in the Phil
ippine Islands. When the treaty was rati-
fed, at the urgent solicitation of the nomi-
nee of the Democratic party for president.
the Aguinaldo instruction was in progress,
1t involved about one-sixth Of the inhabi-
tants of the islands. Congress, without
opposition, appropriated the twenty mil
! lions required by the treaty. Soon after
the ratification of the treaty the Hull bill
! for the reorganization and increase of the
regular army TO 100000 passed the House
of Representatives and came before the
| Senate for consideration. The leaders Of
| the Democratic members of the Senate OPP
posed the measure, and offered a substitute
making the regular army -, 900 and giving
the president authority to raise about 80, 900
volunteers, if in his judgment the exigen-
| cies of the service required. In advancing
this measure they said they did not oppose
| giving President Mckinley all the troops
which the exigencies in the islands recent
| ly acquired might in any event require,
| but they could not consent TO the establish
ment of a regular army of 100000 men ;
that the $1,000 volunteers might be en-
! listed, if in his judgment required, until
! June, 1901, beyond the expiration of his
| term of office. This measure was substi-
tuted for the Hull bill and passed. Al
that time the Republicans did not have
control of the Senate. President McKin-
ley has done no act that can be character
lied imperialism" in the Philippine Is
lands unauthorized by this act, proposed
by these leading Democrats of the Senate.
In whatever light considered, this plank
of the Democratic platform can hardly be
considered as put forth seriously for any
purpose unless TO terrify the voters by the
use of the word Imperialism. 1t consti-
tutes when considered seriously, a most
emphatic impeachment of the ability of the
citizen voters of the nation to maintain a
Republican form OF government.
JONATHAN Ross.