The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-28

an American army ended the prestige
and power of Spain in the archipelago.
The victorious fleet and conquering army
of the United States created Ae,uinaldo's
forces.
But for our demonstrated power appeal
ing so dramatically to the Eastern 1nagi-
nation, Aguinaldo would have remained
reveing i'll Hong Kong and his followers
, hunlbly subservient to the rule OF Spain.
The peace treaty, guaranteeing the rights
Of property in the island by the United
States, dissipated the hopes and dreams
Of the Filipino leaders of division and
enjoyment of the contiscated property of
the religious societies. the wealth of the
church and the riches of the Spanish
residents
Then, and not until then, did Aguinaldo
and his party become insurrectionists
against the authority Of the United
States; then, inflalming an ignorant pop
ulation with lies about the Government
and purposes of this country, he received
the support which has required a large
army to suppress 1t was easy for the
rebel chiefs to make them believe that
we came ITO plumber and Cypress. It is
only when peace and order are establish
ed i'll the Islands that we will gain both
their confidence and their gratitude by
government which will guarantee law
promote their progress and prosperity.
Territoriallv, constitutionally and by
the decisions of the Supreme Court the
United States have been expanding for
nearly q century.
Constitutional objection and indiscrimi-
nate abuse preceded, attended and fol-
lowed each of these acquisitions. There
have been tyrants and usurpers, if Pres
dent Mckinley Is one, doing these same
hi NO Or hos r. Il
they are Thomas jefferson, James Mon
roe, James X. Polk and Franklin Pierce.
Many honest minds have been confused
by the supposed application Of the con-
sent of the governed to the government
which Congress provides for new Terri
tories or colonies. and that it is impos-
sible to ruie them except by the usual
territorial process until by right they
are admitted into the Union as Safes.
Here again a study of the past removes
these difficulties. Jefferson was the au-
thor of the Declaration of Independence,
and that is the one act which he directed
should be engraved upon his tomb He
certainly knew the breadth and linlita-
tions of its axiclns. The government
which he organized for the Territory of
Louisiana had every element which has
been denounced as despotism in the
Philippines.
the act of October 81, 1903. passed by
Congress and signed by Jefferson, vest
ed
All military. civil and judicial powers
in such person or personsT and to be
exercised in such manner as the Presi-
dent of the United States should direct.
There was no consultation with the
inhab;ta nts, no participation in their
government accorded them, and no rights
assured to them except 1.-The free en-
| jovinent of their liberty. property and
i religion"
BY uniform legislation from the forma-
ton Of the, Republic and by repeated
and clear decisions of the Supreme
Court these principles are established:
First, that the Constitution thus formed
was meant for the States in the Union as
they severally adopted it. Second. that
it becomes operative upon every State
| subsequently, admitted into the Union.
Third, that it does not extend by its
own force over territory acquired after
the adoption Of the Constitution, but that
! Congress has the power to grant so
much of It's provisions as it deems wise.
| The third section of Article " of the
Constitution says: rs
The Congress shall have power to dis
pose of and make all needful rules and
regulations respecting the territory and
other property belonging to the United
y str1tA