The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-27
FROM THE PEOPLE.
THE PEOPLES VIEW OF 1T.

Ravenna. April Is, 1890
To the Editor: In discussion OF the
question, Does the constitution follow
the flag" / wish to say that no political
party is responsible for the views adj
vanced-they are my private opinions pub
licly expressed. That question was crowd
ed upon congress by the Democrats for
political purposes In the discussion upon
form OF government for Puerto Rico.
am proud of the great majority of our
representatives who took a proper stand
aud did not acknowledge that the citizens
OF that island are citizens of the United
States, and am equally ashamed OF the
few Republicans who Joined the Demo-
Gratis in the vote upon that question. The
Democrats in congress care nothing for
the people OF Puerto Rico. The howl was
made for political effect In the presiden-
tial campaign now near at hand.
The Democratic party never before In
its history denied congress and the exec
utive the power to govern our newly ac-
uured territories without consent OF the
governed. The Florida and Louisiana pur-
chases were governed by Democratic pres
idents In the most arbitrary manner and
the people thereof had no say. Our gov
eminent has owned Alaska for over 80
years and never yet has given its people
any form OF government, has taxed them
without representation, and not even to-
cans and other civilized people there,
have they government or representation.
and Democrats have raised no objections.
The whole object of the Puerto Rican dis
cussion was to force the Republican party
to take position as to that island that
would make it unpopular as to the Phil
ippines, for all were acquired at the same
time, and would be governed by the same
rule.
Our flag floats triumphantly in Puerto
Rico and the great archipelago. but that
vast people are not in consequence c.ti-
gems of the United States entitled to all
the rights and immunities OF American
citizens, and SO congress has determined
In the form of government for Puerto Rico.
These vast possessions came 70 us like an
orphan child. without our demand cr So
licitation, because Spain could no longer
hold them. and cur policy IL to govern
them. hold them and protect them until
they are able to take care OF themselves.
They are not territories of the United
States las Democrats would like to make
out, and saddle the responsibility upon toe
Republican partly subject to admission
into our American union. We would not
want the Philippine islands. 1000 miles
away in the union II they were inhabited
by intelligent people. This union OF states
with a few islands near by which may
be annexed, Is new large enough for it's
S31etN ana pSTpetutty. we WHIT no StdtcS
from the other side OF the world In this
great American union. Our present eoun-
try with a proper army and navy and
proper development and Improvement can
govern the world and dictate peace. and
Americanisn will rule instead Of Anglo
Saxonism. Our policy as to the Philippine
islands IL virtually the same in relation
to Cuba and Puerto Rico. When or gov
eminent declared war with Spain I was
announced that the object was the ~ era
tion OF Cuba; as a result OF TINT var
other vast possessions have been add "a.
Our army controls Cuba today. and II
r. very uncertain when II can be with
drawn. The time has been set next month
for that MIXED peop.e, whites blacks Span
iards and natives to vote: what may be the
result Is a conundrum. Our government
cannot withdraw until a government IL
organized by that people. IT may be In
short time or It may be years before they
can govern themselves. Just the same
position our government holds as to the
ether islands-we must control and govern
until the people are able to govern
and protect themselves. II may be In a
few wears or II may be one-hHlf n century.
We do not want the Philippines for states,
nor do we want TO hold them under sub
lection except to retain commercial rights
above and beyond any other nation OF the
world and those great advantages Will be
worth what they will cost.
II the supreme court of the United States
should decide "that the constitution fol-
lows the iag." and consequently wherever
our flag floats the people OF that country
are citizens of the United states accord
ing to our constitution. then say. let
our constitution be amended The consti-
tuition OF today is not the instrument II
was when adopted by our fathers In 11ss.
II has been changed and corrected from
time TO time, as occasion demanded. The
great commanding object in It's forfna-
ton at that early date WAS ITO make n
mere perfect unon."--to make a sovereign
government by the concession Of the states
that should last forever. one and insepara-
BILE. and the result OF the war OF 1861 has
fully demonstrated that the American
Union cannot be destroyed by state re-
hellion. The conditions confronting our
nation today were not contemplated by
our noble sires The sreat American peo-
pie are above the constitution. IL our
government by that instrument IL not per-
mitted to govern, control. civiIiza. edu-
cate, Christlanize these vast peoples of
the Philippine archipelago without max
ing them citizens, and giving them repre-
sentatlon In congress. then let our con-
stisution be amended agrseably to the
wishes OF the nation.
But I believe the constitution needs no
changes. II declares that congress shaft
make all needful rules and regulations con-
corning the territory and other property OF
the United States"
Now. Mr.. Editor, ] have already passed
your limit 10 space. and 7 have barely
introduced the subject. In conclusion /
will say we win hold the Philippines until
the people can take care of themselves.
and help them 70 .naugiirate free ana lib-
erai governments, and we will guard and
defend the great commercial advantages
we have bought ard paid for IN treasure
NtonA Ard he hat Oh -
people In time win rejoice that this, the
freess and best government OF Garth.
planted our flag over them.
NJ. r. JONE1