The Portland daily press., 1900-02-17

oitissns whose loyalty 10 the government
Of the United States IL unsurpassed By
the people Of any Of the thirteen original
states
"If 20 assist tbs people Of the Philip
pines 10 establish loosi self government
after the plan adopted By Jrffsrson ID
imperialism then Jefferson was ths
piopeer imperialist of the United States.
The Philippians will never be dspsndent
colonies. They will be allowed 10 oon-
duct their own affairs with the assistance
Of such officers as 10 may be necessary
to appoint to aid them In establishing
local self government.
"No one prstends that the Fnipinos
are now fit for statehood, bus repudiate
the sugge stion that thsy are not hf for
just suoh sovernm mt ss Jefferson sx-
tended to the Louisiana purchase and
Monroe to the acquisition OF Florida.
There may not be enough Americans In
that country to organize state govern
ment without congregational or executive
action as In the case Of California, but IL
the same DON srsssionsl and executive aid
that was extended TO all other scquisi-
tions Of territory except California ere
extended to the Philippines they will pro-
grsss.
"rhe President has acted Wisely In
selecting an eminent jurist IN the prime
Of life to assist the nstives Of the Stands
in establishing local self government
after the models which on. country so
abu ndantly furnishes. We want very
little Legislation for the Filipinos. We
want their Leaders 10 come here and zee
how We govern Ourselves 10 enable them
to do Likewise. The absurd charge that
there is any intention on the part Of the
govern msnt or the administration 10
govern the Philippines In any other ter
ritory which We have acquired or may
acquire as colonies, by the strong arm OF
the military ,power Is entirely withous
foundation.
at AND aware Of the suggestion OF An
import duty upon the products Of Puerto
Rico, which Of course, would be one OF
the worst forms of Colonial policy. This
sug gsstion is pregnant with evil and II
carried out would furnish substantial
ground work for the charge OF imperial
Ism. II would be too much like the ex-
actions which impeIialistio Rome made
upon her conquered provinces and IL
might furnish parallel to some extent
OF the imperial policy OF monarohisl
ooun tries In inodern times. am glad
tho President Of the United States has
not made that mistake. On the contrary
in his last annual message no says:
Our plain duty Is to establish all GUS
torus tariffs between the United States
and Puerto Rico and give her products
free access to our markets.
"The recommendation Of the secretary
port, described In forceful language the
In justice of erecting q tariff barrier
against the products of Puerto Rico.
"The colonial policy Of greed. which
discriminating duties against the pro-
ducts of our own territory, would breed
dissatisfaotion and ditoord. It might lead
to miIitarism. 1t might do more 1t
might involve vast expenditures to main
tain armies occupation which wonld
be dangerous to the safety OF the repub-
lilo. II We treat Puerto Rico as We treated
Louisiana, Florida and California the
people of that leland will learn to love
the American dag and will soon be loyal
A americans instead of sullsn and discon-
tented people, suff ering from discriminat-
ing lava"
.Ths discussion of the actual power
of Congress in connection with these Is
lands 10 Improbable. There Is no doubt
shat Congress has power so sob the ter
rItories In a thousand ways and render
the people OF our new acquisi lions more
mi SCRABBLE than they were under the
horrible SUSTAIN Of Spanish sItortlon
IL no doubt that the people Of the United
states could amend the Constitution and
ret s TIA blisb slavery II they were wick ID
snouzh to do 80. 1t would bs just nc
profitable to discuss whether the people
cou Id, II they would establish mon
arcty IN this country, as 1t Is to discuss
the question whether Congress has the
constitutional power to disoriE,inats
against the people OF the new acquisi-
lions by uneq ual revenue laws or any
other form of extortion which greed may
suggest.
1.-The ooEBtry has right tc know that
no imperialism or militarism arc In
tended. Whatever mistakes may have
been made In dealing with the Filpinos
or In failing TO fully scquaint them with
the policy of our government the Presi-
dents message recommending equa, laws
OF Puerto Rico and the appointment OF
Judge Taft to commence the work OF
instructlng and aiding the Fin pinos to
| esta biish and maintain local self govern
ment In ticate very olssrly that the Presi-
dent has no Idea Of departing from the
teachings of the fathers or establishing
an empire on the ruins Of the republic"
| At the conclusion Of MIR. Stewards
speech the Senate bill to provide gov
eminent for this territory of Hawaii was
laid before the Senate and its reading