The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-21
THE REPUBLICAN
LEADERS Ratified
(Con1inued From First Page.)


the printing of special edition of 5000
copies of the year book of the Depart
mCnt Of Agriculture for distribution mt
the Paris Exposition.
Mr.. Kenny, whose former colleague
ex-senator Gray, was a member of the
Peace Commission then spoke. He
said:
Il am one of the Senators who voted
for the ratification of the Treaty Of
Paris, believing that ratification meant
the end of the war which had com
menccd for humanity's sake. and that
the S20,000,00O awarded Spain was the
act. not only Of a magnanim0us victor.
but as well tribute placed on Eberty's
altar by people who know the value
Of freedom. Are there any who know
the history of the last two years who
will contend that if at the time the vote
on the treaty was taken it had been
stated on the floor of this Senate. that
war in the Philippines was to go on,
and that the millions awarded to Spain
was the purchase price for people to
be held in perpetual vassalage that in
strument would have been ratified? |
do not think there are any such.
WANTED TO FREE THEM.
Il do know, Mr.. President, that of the
influences which moved members Of this
Senate to vote for the treaty the most
powerful were the desire to end the war
and commence the work of liberty and
freedom in those far islands.
Il believe that there are Senator's to-
day who are supporting the policy of
the Administration, who at the time of
the vote on the peace treaty never dream
cd that now they would be advocating
territorial and foreign politics for this
Government which are strange to its
Institutions and traditions as they are
unjust and iniquitous. But under the
lash and spur of party policy and ex-
pediency they have wheeled into line
and now stand ready, not merely as pas
siye agents, but as workers, TO consum-
mate that which must have been the
hidden purpose of persons who dared not
have the light of public discussion
shine on their nefarious schemes.
The reason for the war in the Philip
pines and the imperalistic policy of the
Republican, Administration must be
sought for outside of the Treaty of
Paris, for in it there will be found au-
thority for neither.
Among these causes is the greed of
those of our countrymen who set self
above honor and country; who for their
own selfish ends are willing to re-es-
tablish slavery within the domain OF
this country and withhold the Consti-
tuition from a part of the people. The
horrors of war are to them but means
TO accomplish their sordid ends.
That the islands are territory of the
United States and the inhabitants there
of citizens of this Government there can
be no doubt Whether they came to us
by conquest of arms or by treaty with
Spain there can be no difference. That
the title and possession has passed to us
is beyond dispute, and with title and pcs
session TO us the Constitution has gone
to them.
HONOR LEAVES BUT ONE COURSE
I'VE have in honor left us but the one
course to give the islands back into !he
hands OF their own people, and in doing
this we must be satisfied that there is III
them and their leader. Aguinaldo, stttess
and ability for Self-gove1nment."
Mr.. Kenny said the proofs were over
whelming Of that fitness and ability.
and presented an elaborate argument in
support of his contention. He argued
that in view of the facts the islands
should not be retained fer any reasons
Let it not be said of the American peo-
pie that they who first wrested freedom
from a crown and proved to the world
that a people could govern themselves. in
the zenith of their greatness, flushed with
victory, forget what victory meant"
The general calendar OF bills was tax
en- up. and those passed included one
granting lands to the State of Alabama
for the use Of the Agricultural and Me-
chanical College of Alabama for negroes,
and the State Normal College of Flor
ence. Alabama.