The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-28


In standing firmly for unrestricted free
dom of trade between the United States
and Porto Rico the Journal is actuated by
what il regards as controlling principles of
right and Justice 1t is case for the APP
plication of broad principles rather than
for constitutional quibbling or political
juggling. The acquisition of the island, be-
ginning with its easy occupation and con-
quest by our forces under General Miles,
was completed by the treaty with Spain.
There is no higher law than a treaty. 1t
ranks with the Constitution. which itself
says: "All treaties made or which shall be
made under the authority of the United
States, shall be the supreme law of the
land" The treaty with Spain, ratified by
the Senate Feb. 6, 1899, conveyed Porto
Its language is: Spain cedes to the United
States the Island of Porto Rico Other
articles provided that this cession should
cover 'all the buildings, wharves, barracks
forts. structures, public highways and other
immovable property which, in conformity
with law. belong to the public domain and
as such belong to the crown of SPAIN" The
cession and transfer of sovereignty were as
complete as language could make them.
BY the ratification of the treaty the United
States became bound before the world, as it
was already by General Miless proclama-
ton. to treat the island part and parcel
of the national domain. and its inhabitants
justly. fairly and without discrimination.
The Porto Ricans welcomed our army of
occupation on the strength of General
same rights. privileges and immunities as
the people of the United States. If he had
not made this promise. who knows but they
would have fought him? Their acceptance
| of the promise made it binding obligation.
| and the ratification OF the treaty made IL
doubly so. For more than a year nobody
doubted that as soon as Congress could
reach the subject the people of Porto Rico,
as a part of the American people, would be
| granted the full protection of the flag and
all which that involves. including unre-
stricted trade with the rest of the United
States. President Mckinley evidently ex-
| pected 1t when, in his annual message OF
| last December, he urged it upon Congress
as ''our plain duty" The chairman of the
| ways and means committee did not doubt
he introduced a bill establishing such un-
| restricted trade. nor did he doubt it when
about the same time. ne wrote a letter urg-
| ing and defending that policy. No doubts
| were entertained on the subject until they
were raised by the representatives of the
beet sugar and tobacco interests i'm the
| United States. who. after a policy of jus.
| tice had been determined upon appeared
| on the scene to urge the substitution of a
| policy of discrimination and injustice. Since
then the righteous conclusions reached In
| a period of calm elaboration and in the
light Of the supreme law of the land have
| been assailed from the most unexpected
quarters and with the most surprising ar.
| guments. An impregnable position. base6
on the Constitution and on the treaty, Oh
lican government, has been exchanged fol
| one that seems to be based on special inter
ests and shifty expedients.
Without questioning the motives of those
who differ with 1T on this question, tn,
Journal declines to surrender its origina
convictions. 1t prefers to stand on tn,
Constitution and the treaty, on Genera
Miles's proclamation and the President.
message. and on the original bill introduce,
by the chairman of the ways and mean.
committee. Speaking for itself, Ii will no
be a party to the placing of any lower Law
of political expediency above the suprem,
law of the land