The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-21

These men are resurrecting doctrine
that ought to have gone down forever in
the smoke and battle of the civil war.
This principle which has been resurrected
for the purpose of creating trouble for this
Administration and the Republican party,
is simply a doctrine clothed in a new
form, that was invented by John c. Cal
houn-the principle upon which the people
of the South. in 1851. sought to establish
Confederate government 1t is one OF
the old cries of the extension of slavery,
resurrected at this time and in this arena
to frighten the people OF this country in
the great emergency which confronts US
He quoted Benton on Calhoun's dogma,
who said: I'm a word this dogma of the
self-extension of the slavery part OF the
Constitution to a Territory is impracti-
cable and preposterous. and as novel rs
unfounded." He also quoted Webster on
the status of territory acquired by con-
quest: Territories coming to us belong
to the United States by acquisition or ces-
sion. as we have no jus coloniae remain TO
be made subject TO the operation of our
supreme law b. an enactment of Con-
gress."
From all these authorities Mr.. Hopkins
concluded that these islands are only the
property Of the United States. that the in
habitants acquire such rights only as are
given to them by legislation. and that
separate customs. internal revenue. and
navigation laws may be made for them.
In conclusion, Mr. Hopkins said:
81 believe that the United States Gov
eminent is entering upon a new era OF
greatness, of expansion, of glory. The
Constitution possesses the elasticity of
the tabled tent of the Arab.
The Constitution.
~ 4ol for he
ernment of the thirteen original States, yet
it has expanded over a continent. Under the
Interpretation given to it ny the great leg
islators of our country and by tie Supreme
Court the Constitution will enable us TO
acquire this territory in the Orient. and,
if we are as wise as those who have pre-
ceded us, will enable us to give those peo-
pie rights Of free citizens without iufring-
ing in the least upon the privileges and
immunities of our own people.
"A government can be formed in the
Philippines that Will be self-supporting
through the customs laws that We shall
give them and the internal revenue laws
that will follow; and. instead of having
standing army of American soldiers there.
we can follow the wise example of Diaz. in
Mexico. who has taken the brig:nds from
the mountains and made them soldier citi
zens. thereby securing the best police Of
ficers in the world We can take native
inhabitants for whatever soldiers may be
needed. officer them with men trained in
our Regular Army, and thus ensure peace
and tranquility to the islands. BY this
method no new burdens will be placed on
our people. Our acquisition of those ISL
ands and our government OF them will open
a wider avenue for our trade, which would
otherwise remain closed to US were the re
dictionary doctrine advocated by Democratic
Representatives and Senators to be adopted
and followed.
Our duty is clear, and that is TO fear
lessly and conscientiously provide for the
great emergency that has been placed upoa
us by this war with Spain. Let us dis
charge our duty with the frmness and in
trepidity that characterized the action Of
our fathers when the dark cloud OF civil
war overhung our national horizon. and
The people OF today will as surely approve
cur conduct as did the people Of a genera
ton ago approve the conduct of President
Lincoln and mis- advisers when they were
exercising every power of the Constitution
for the maintenance OF the Union and the
integrity Of our Federal Republic"
MIR. Swanson OF Virginia next followed
He began his argument by stating that the
President, in his message, had announced
that it was ''our plain duty to abolish all
customs tariffs between the United States
and Porto Rico, and quoted the reasons
ana conditions given by the President that
made this duty imperative. asserting that
the conditions In Porto Rico had not
changed. yet the Republican party has,
since this message, entirely changed its
policy in esaling with this matter, and
that IL was solely on account of political
exigenoies.
At the oonclusion of Mr. Swanson's re-
marks the committee rose and the House.
at ) o'clock, adjourned until today,
after M Hepburn made second inef-
fectusl effort to gain unanimous consent
for the consideration Of the Nicaragua
Canal bin, Tuesday, April 6.