Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-03-01

nrSt formal sIep taken 10 ueliie Nudl
the relations shall be between this coun-
try and not only Porto Rico, but also
the other dependencies that came to us
by the Spanish war, and whatever
may come in the future, by purchase
or conquest.
Long ago it was seen that this would
be a dini,ult matter to settle. The
problem was both commercial and po-
litical. When Porto Rico was coded
to the United States by Spain, the ques-
ton arose, does the fact that this island
belongs to the United States make it an
integral part of the country? If so,
under the constitution, there could be
no tariff barriers to trade between the
two. We should have free trade with
Porto Rico, the same as we have with
Alaska. We should find it necessary
to frame a territorial government for
the island and Congress would have to
legislate it, the same as was done
in the case of Florida, Louisiana and
the territory that came to us from
Mexico.
Probably this was what the great
majority of our people thought ought
to be, and would be, done with Porto
Rico. 1t would be governed as a ter
ritory until such time, if ever, as it
was fitted for statehood. We were to
be the judges of this point, and natural
ly it would be a long time before II ter
ritory, including so many people for
eign to our system, would be taken in
to the sisterbood of states.
Many thought, and still think, that
it is contrary to the letter and spirit of
our constitution to attempt to hold
lands as dependencies or colonies,
which we never intend to bring to the
full enjoyment of our political rights
and commercial advantages, and that
the very moment when our flag floats
over a spot, that spot, however far re-
moved by sea or land, becomes in theo-
ry translated to our confines and has
the same hopes and ambitions kindled |
in it that those nearer portions which /
we have acquired received when they
became nominally American.
Others hold a very different view.
They find nothing in the constitution
our holding colonies as
such, without extending to them or
heir people any other rights than Con-
gress chooses to, from time TO time, as
warrant. They claim that
congress has plenary, or complete,
power to decide what the relat ons
,hall be between the old and the new
over which the flag waves.
Thus, while it might be best to frame
| certain set OF laws, both political and
commercial, with respect to Porto Rico,
{ might be best TO frame an entirely /
Iiferent set for the Philippines. These ,
,eople will not admit that the flag car ,
les much more than brute authority |
'ehind it, or that it conveys any differ
mt prospect to the people over whom ,
floats for the first time than what it
hall please their conquerors or pur- 4
hasers to determine, as they see fit.
they do not see in the Porto Rican or J
he Filipino the embryo ofan American
itizcn, nor will they hold out the hope
o any of our own people who may 90
o these places to take up their homes
hat they shall be allowed any part in
he government. The matter will be
ettled as Congress shall determine.
hey say. In plain words, they mean
0 hold Porto Rico and such other re-
ent additions as colonies, pure, and
nipple, the same as Great Britain,
rance and Germany hold theirs, gov
rning them as they please, taxing
hem as they please, and giving them
lst what seems best from our point of
lew, for them-and especially for us.
Now it is not our purpose to attempt
discussion OF the constitutional as
ects of this question. We lack the
bility. Even those who assume it
iffer among themselves. But we do
ot see that the constitution need to be
INVOKED, one way or the other. in this
natter. The question is one Of policy
nd will be settled on its merits, apart
rom any quibbling over the constitu-
ion. Congress will surely decide what
hould be the standing of our depend
ncieS. 1t is that decision that We are
oncerned about.
In his annual message, President
IcKinley recommended that the tariff
uties between this country and Porto
leo should be abolished and that tree
rade should exist, the same as between
lder parts of our country. The testi-
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