New-York tribune., 1901-06-10
GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE
WHAT 1T MEANS AS APPLIED, TO THE
SUPREME COURT DECISION IN
THE INSULAR TEST CASES.

10 the Editor of The Tribune
Sir; Long and familiar of word or phrase
is likely to blind it's real and full meaning
This is true. I think of the phrase 'seif-govern-
ment. and analysis of il may help us in under
standing and accepting the late decisions of the
Supreme Court in what are known the "insular
test cases."
1t is well to remember first of ALL that the self
governed still governed: quite in opposition
TO the notion somewhat prevalent that self-govern
ment means no government at all-the truth being
that the self-governed are as really and COM
pletely governed the most despOticalIy gov
erned are. The metaphor in the word "governed"-
a pilot helmsman-rnay serve to make this clear
Put ship on its course and lash the rudder 10
that course; the ship would then keep its course
and arrive safely at its destination provided il
encountered On-sweeping currents or off-blow-
ing winds. But wind and water have set ways OF
acting of their own. and have never yet been
known respect any ships aim. purpose or wish
Left TO itself. though chart and Compass were
chained 10 the wheel the ship things are would
go anywhither-now this way. now that Could
the ship govern winds waves and tides. all might
be well; but. seeing il cannot. II remains that the
ship must govern itself; that it keep its own
course. while winds. waves and tides keep theirs.
and it can be kept to its course only by a wise,
ever watchful and all controlling will.
Shall the ships complement Of passengers take
outside crew and pilot board to do the steer
ing and the ships handling for IL? Yes, in case it
lacks either the wit the determination do that
business for itself. The word itself is what We
need TO look next II implies that self has IN
itself proneness to turn aside from the very
course which it most wants and aims and means
to keep This proneness to self-veerns is precisely
that which self Is to govern-the true self keep
the false self under This governing we Ameri-
cans propose do ourselves and for ourselves.
Thus far to have done IL bly, we'll.
How do we do it? We agree among ourselves as
to certain specified things which we will do and
certain other specified things that we will
not do There are things. say. that
going stand by; but. much more than that be 1t
noted, bind ourselves to stand By them. A
mere understanding in politics as in business. is
slim prop We not only understand but we stand
together-just what the word constitution means.
We stand because. and only because, We are united
in standing. We govern ourselves consututionally.
in other words
In this Porto Rico and Philippines matter the
question is not. therefore. how does this man
the other man stand but how has the American
people expressed itself standing and bound itself
to stand? What does constitution say about
it, ii it says anything? As We knew well enough at
the start that on many questions that might arise
there would be understandings and understandings,
we established a supreme tribunal TO give hnal de-
bound ourselves together 10 abide by the decisions
when once made and duly proclaimed.
As 70 the arguments and conclusions of the SU-
preme Courts majority decisions being confused or
reading Of the Judgments of afHrmance' presented
by Justices Gray. Brown and White. and concurred
them 10 he clear consistent and irrefutabIe. A
correspondent than whom no one has better op-
portunities for knowing the true nwardness or the
Supreme Courts deliberations, gives me this brief
and exact summary OF what the court has actually
decided:
"First-By the very terms Of the treaty with
Spain the inhabitants OF the Ceded islands were not
thereby made citizens Of the United States. Their
civil and political status was left to be determined
by the Congress OF the United States
'SecOnd-The treaty was a valid and constitu-
tionaI exercise Of the war and treaty making
power
.Thirf-That during the time in which the Amert-
can people are considering whether the ISLANDS IN
question shall be admitted TO membership IN the
Union OF the States, or be permitted 20 estapNsh
themselves as independent nations. their lnhabl-
tants are not left the unCOveDanted uerces' OF
congress- but are entitled, under the principles or
the constitution of United States as heretOIore
applied aliens TO be protected IN nI noerty ana
PROPERTY. When these conclusions or the court
he adds ARE fairly understood they VIII 4 am
sure meet with the approval or the american
people" ~ T.. .-..t- .,- ,
moment A single doubt as TO whether the tnhaoi-
tants OF our new possessions are gong 20 oe hu-
namely Justly and hOnOrably dealt BY IS 10 trell-
he last The American people turn traitor 70 user
ribJ,ne's valuable space. would like 70 point out
what seems 70 have been the Ialtacy IN @ IN
Vigore'' phrase II IL Dc a IdltCy' even
Mr. Justice Brown has fallen into ~ Wheh ne SAYS
mar congress has assumed that the conStltutlOh
does not extend them (the territories or ~ o"
forCa There is in this. as 1t seems 20 me- an
impication that the territorial clause tArucIe
Satt,ion 2 Clause y Is either not itself part or
~ cOnstitutiou or that il has not Iorce OF Us
own exactly as forCiOle has any otner PdLL -
~ ,oOsritufion No clause has force everywhere
Anv clause has force onlv wnerS " = stp, -a,yc5
hut where applicable one clause mas JUST d 4ii'o'
force as any o'her' II nO' 'IDpisoN BALLARD.
University Heights. New-York. June O. INl'