New-York tribune., 1900-03-11
THE CONSTITUTION INTERPRETED.

There can be no dispute regarding the legal
status of Puerto Rico and the Philippines except
with those who take care 10 forget the first rule
which governs the construction of all laws
Anglo Saxon freedom exists only because II is
regulated by laws which cannot be changed
from hour TO hour. according to the wish of in
diyiduals or factions, but must be held 10 mean
what those who enacted them intended them to
mean Where that intent is open TO reasonable
doubt controversies may arise If that intent
Of the trainers is known it settles beyond all
dispute the meaning of constitutions and laws.
The Constitution of the United States was
framed and adopted by men who proved their
understanding of il in their acts while govern
ing the country under ii for many years They
expressed the Will OF the people in its framing
and its unanimous adoption, and the same per
sons as Presidents and Cabinet officers, Sena-
tors and Representatives executed il and were
held by the will of the people in its execution
while they lived. Disputes among them arose
On very many questions, but never dispute on
the question now al issue.
One proof OF understanding and intention
shown in acts by those who framed and adopted
the Constitution is as conclusive many. The
purchase of Louisiana territory and the action
Of the Government in all its branches regarding
the property so purchased show conclusively
as ten thousand acts could show what the Con-
stitution meant in the minds Of those who
framed and adopted il. and We're living and con-
trolling government under that Constitution in
1903. The resolution of Congress which gave TO
President jefferson full power TO rule over that
vast region is in its very language revived by
the pending resolution giving 10 President Nc
Einley similar power The letter of President
jefferson declaring of the inhabitants of Louisi-
ana 1T is acknowledged that our new fellow
"citizens are as yet incapable of ef-govern-
"ment as children might with the same truth
be written by President Mckinley regarding the
nhabitants of Puerto Rico or the Philippines to-
day. The collection of duties at New-Orleans
proved a distinct understanding that the pur-
chased territory had not become in such sense
part of the United States or that the customs
laws OF this country extended TO that port with
out action by Congress; nnd the course of ex-
ecutive officers and decisions of the courts were
10 the same effect 1t will not he denied by any
who examine the facts that the understanding
Of the Constitution by those who then executed
IL was precisely that which is Row held by the
President and his supporters.
What possibility is there, then, OF dispute on
the question? Simply this-that at various
times sundry persons have construed its Ian
guage with respect 10 different questions with
out regard TO the understanding or Intention Of
its trainers. IT has seemed 10 them that for
sertain purposes the phrase the United States
covered eli territory under the authority of the
Nation and all inhabitants of such territory, and
that impression they have seen it TO adopt in
stead Of aseertaining what those who framed
the Constitution understood by IL. But there
ean exist no freedom regulated by law If the