The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-23
SENATE.

ton OF the senate, continuing the de-
bate ON the Philippine question. He
took AS his text the resolution ne in
PRODUCED last Tuesday. declaring that
the United States should not take per-
manent possession of the archipelago,
but after subduing the insurrection-
which he sincerely deplored-should
confer upon the FilipinOs the right 10
govern themselves, affording them such
protection as the mightneed.
Senator Teller. silver republican, of
Colorado, resumed his speech On the
financial bill. in the course Of which
he arraigned Secretary Gage for his ne
gOtiations with the National City bank,
of New York.
Senator Allen, OF Nebraska, offered
a resolution directing the secretary OF
state to inform the senate if any per-
son had been accredited from the
Transvaal to the United States govern
ment in any capacity and if such Per
son were officially accepted and recog-
nized, and if not. why not.
Objection was made to immediate
consideration of the resolution and it
went over under the rules.
Senator Ross, of Vermont, offered a
LESOIuliOl ucCIdI LlS Ildl liz PRIV
of the constitution do not unaided by
act Of congress-. extend over Puerto
Rico and the Philippine islands; that
by the Paris treaty the United States
takes sovereignty over Puerto Rico and
the Philippines under the duty to ex-
ercise it for the general welfare OF the
inhabitants; and that a separate de-
Partment of the government is demand
ed TO AXE charge of all outlying DEEPEN
denotes. Senator Ross gave notice that
he would speak on the resolution next
Tuesday.
Senator Wellington then addressed
the senate. He said he could not be-
lieve this republic had an imperial des-
tiny; it could not wander on the same
highway with the simplicity of the Re
public such as ours. History indicated
that imperial destiny has wrecked
many republics. He believed that one
of the greatest blessings Ia ever b
fell England was the loss of the Ameri-
lean colony. Referring to Great Brit
aims war with the Transvaal. Senator
Wellington said:
..She has not met the Caucasian race
since the Crimean war, and now, when
for the first time for half a century
she attempts to send her army TO de-
StrOy 4 brave and courageous, but I'M
fortunate people. she all at once rudely
awakens from the dream of her power
because she finds that corruption has
eaten to her very vitals, and her army
which she deemed was still like that
of Cromweu-invincible-has been be-
iabOred and defeated every day since
it attracted the Beers. and justly so.
And it may be, at no distant time, that
the insidiOus influences which have
thus debased her, will entirely destroy
the weighty structure of the empire
I she has erected"
Senator Wellington referred to the
part the people of his own state had
taken in the Spanish war saying:
ION that July morning, which by its
rising run heralded the destruction OF
the Spanish naval power in Santiago
bay. as it illuminated the Lille of Amer
lean warships advancing to deal deauh
and destruction to the Spanish fleet,
surrounded by a halo of glory, the mar
tial figure of q son of Maryland, Win
field Scott Sch1ey. guided and directed
the great contest. And though now it
seems to be the policy OF a eabal OF
one of the departments of this admin
istration TO rob him of the glory which
justly is his. the verdict OF the Ameri-
can people has been recorded and he
will go down to history as the true he
TO of that nava1 battle.
"A year and a half has passed since
that great battle: and yet, there is no
indication hat we intend to keep faith
with the Cubans but there If every in
dicatton that by the power of syndi-
Gates. eabalS and combinations, there
is to be continued in Cuba, the despo-
tism of a military government in which
the CubanS themselves have No part,
which is beyond the pale Of any law
save that of force, and is not recognized
by our constitution a very Pandoras
box of national troubles has been open
ed and difficulties and dangers are
gradually taking form and surround
ing us.
THE great question, that now con-
front us. as a result OF this war, is the
question Of the Philippine islands. Ad-
miral Dewey could have retired from
he bay of Manila on the morning al
ter he had destroyed the Spanish fleet
but he dared not do 50. He had. de.
stroyed The Spanish power and it woult
not have been proper for him as a rep
r~eSentative of the naIlo1
to have departed n to have left an
-archy and chaos remain instead OF au
tthOrity. War finally came, between
the United States and Filipino forces
who had been working for the same emo
the destruction of Spanish power"
After p~icturing the possibilities Of
an indefinitely continued deSuitOry war
Mr.. Wellington said:
TT lis neither fair nor just to attach
the president or the administration fol
the conduct of the present war. WheI
the unfortunate contention began ht
could not do otherwise uphold
American authority and stand BY
American arms, and during the inter
regnum between the two sessions o
congress, it was his duty 10 confinu'
This wan for the upholding Of Amert
can authority on the islands. Th'
American forces could not be with
drawn. for their retreat or embarkatiol
would nave marked the beginning o
internal disorder and possibly forelgl
intervention.
1.-THE responsibility of the ~presiden
has now ceased, for congress Il
now IN session n 1t Is Tn.
duty of congress to provide suci
legislation as will proclaim 10 IN
world in a manne emphaIc an'
free from e~quivocation, the design an'
purpose of our government with refer
ence to the Philippine islands.
IT oppose the permanent
of these islands for the reason that
believe it is an opposition TO the oasl