New-York tribune., 1901-05-30
PRAISE FOR THE TRIBUNE
EXPRESSIONS APPROVING ITS EDITO-
RAILS AND NEWS ARTICLES REGARD
ING THE INSULAR CASES.

The signal victory by the government in the
Supreme Court. in connection with the insular
decisions. has brought 10 The Tribune manifold ex
pressons OF approval for its steadfast course
throughout the agitation
Ex-Attorney- General John ". Griggs yester-
day. In discussing the decision. said that The
Tribune throughout the whole agitation had the
sound and patriotic view TO the duty OF the
United States in the matter. The Tribune has
ali along had a slngulIrly clear perception Of the
duty OF the government acquire and maintain
the Philippines and Porto Rico added Mr. Grtggs
1T also has expressed with eminent clearness and
ability the correct view OF the constitutional Ques-
t!ons involved. sustained by the court IN the
Downes case. Many OF the articles. editorial ana
otherwise. in The Tribune were used by counsel
for the government in connection with the prepara-
ton oc their briefs. and the public addresses or
Mr. Reid have done much clarity the subject IN
the public mind evincing a remarkable grasp ana
perception OF The subject from the very outset
Il watched with much qualification the stand
"a ken edItorially by The Tribune In the legislative
labors on the insuIar cases" said Senator Foraker
Ohio in discussing the decision at the waldorf
Astoria last evening. The clear insight OF Ihe
Tribune and editorials and articles in the news
columns OF great help TO us and entirely iusti
fed by the decision Just rendered by the United
States Supreme Court"
Senator Chaurcey NJ Depew said: The editorial
comment of The Tribune and its news articles bear
ing upon the insular cases have been marked by
clarity of thought keenness of perception and we'll
defined Judgment The decision OF the United States
Supreme Court along the lines contended for by
The Tribune is logical and praiseworthy-both TO
the United States Supreme Court and TO The
Tribune"
During the last three years. said Charles A
Gardiner the American people have expanded
their continental bounds. acquired foreign terri
tory and definitely assumed a position as potent
International sovereignty. This logical development
of the nation has forced upon the Republican ad-
rninistration some OF the most momentous consti-
tutionaI problems Of our history. Is the United
States sovereign nation possessing all the attrl-
butes OF international sovereignty? Long before
the insular cases were presented 70 the court
The Tribune repeatedly maintained the fundamen-
ia! propositions of expanson-that the United
States is a sovereign nation: that II possesses all
the national powers enumerated in the constitution
and all the unenumerated powers reserved to the
neons. that these aggregate all the attributes OF
the most potent sovereignty. and that the United
States can exercise them all unless prohibited by
the constitution. The Supreme Court now sustains
these fundamental propositions more explicitly thah
has ever been done in any former decision
Since 1898 The Tribune has also persistently ar
gued that the constitution did not extend to our
new possessions. become applicable TO the gov
ernment thereof proprio vigore. In editorial after
editorial il has contended that specific action by
the political departments necessary 10 make
applicable the government of the Islands either
the constitution whole or any of its parts, and
that Congress had plenary power TO govern Porto
Rico and the Philippines These contentious are
now sustained by the supreme Court
Again The Tribune has maintained that all
DoIifra questions belonging to the legislative and
Executive departments of the government are not
subject 10 the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court;
maj the ACQUISITION of Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines the mode and extent thereof. the disposi-
tG6r and government of the islands and their in
ba bahitants3these and all similar questions Were
noIitica and not judicial and not within the 1urs
5ction Of the court. In the prevailing opinion
Of the court Mr.. Justice Brown Mr.. Justice White
and Mr Justice Gray separately and specifically
uphold these propositions; , ~, - g..
The decisions just made by the supreme Court
judicial
ga1eration They stamp the seal OF legality upon
The expa nsion policy of the administration To the
rress ~ this country. more than 70 any other ag-
gregate Intellectual force. must be ascrioed the de-
yaIonuant of our new nationality. and for services
tbig repdere1 no tribute OF praise can be unmer
tied TO The Tribune, which has so persistently
advocated all the fundamental propositions now
estahlishAd by the court. is due the most unquau-
fed commendaton. Its editorials have been elo-
ouent Meas for the growth development and sta
hiiitv Of this great nationpatriotic pleas for al
those elements of nationality which viii establsh
the republic as a dominant power among the na-
tions OF the earth