The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-28

When the proposition TO acquire the
Philippines was first under discussion the
opponents. including most OF the Demo-
cratic public men, based their opposition
upon the assumption that the islands
would be made States. which would be
represented in Congress and might change
the character OF the Senate. One facetious
opponent in a speech alluded 10 the senator
from Luzon, the senator from Panay. the
senator from Negroes and the senator from
other islands. demanding TO know IL the
people of the United States desired such
men to make laws for Them and our peo-
pie were asked IL they wanted such people
as the natives of the Philippines for fell
low-citizens. That was in 1898. Since then
policy has been developed by which the
United States will hold the islands and
teach the natives civilization and self
government without making them citizens
of the United States. To be in opposition
these same party leaders who opposed an
nexation because it meant citizenship for
the natives now turn around and practical
ly demand citizenship for them. Senator
Jones, of Arkansas. remarkable the
man who made the greatest number OF
false predictions in two presidential cleo
tons. is very indignant because the Fill
pinos, he says. are held as subjects
and vassals." II believe" he declares in
| the Washington Post, that any people
| coming under the control of the United
| States shall have the protection of the
Constitution and enjoy all the rights and
| privileges which that document affords.
This is to be the issue in the next cam
paign in the opinion of the Arkansas sena-
| tor.
| There is reason to believe that the Re-
| publicans will only be too glad to meet
| Senator Jones's party on an issue involv-
| ing the making of the natives of the Philip
pines. Hawaii and Porto Rico full citizens
of the United States. The wonder is that
Jones and his aids did not discover years
ago that "all men coming under the con-
troll of the Constitution should enjoy all
the rights and privileges which that docu-
ment affords" For many years the United
| States has had control of the Indians, but
| they are not citizens. We have held Alaska
| since 1867, but the natives ruled with
| out being made citizens Two conventions
! are in session now in Southern States
\ every member of which is a Democrat fol
the sole purpose of putting hundreds OF
| thousands of citizens of the United States
| outside of provision of the Constitution
| by taking from them the right of suffrage
| This movement has not reached Senator
Jones's State because the negro has ceased
to vote that he may live in peace, but II
| the question of Acknowledgement should
come up in Arkansas Senator Jones would
lead off in favor of the policy which re-
duces the citizen to a vassal.
Senator Jones would have the Philip
pines organized at once as independent
governments under the protection of the
| United States. thus making this govern
ment responsible for the liberty of the
F'ilipinos but relieving them of all RESPONSE
bility to the United States. The Repub
| lican policy is to hold the islands under
control, securing TO the people liberty, Sc
curity and education and allowing tn,
natives to participate in self-governmen
| as rapidly they are prepared to main
tain popular and stable government. Their,
can be little or no doubt as to which O.
| these methods will receive the support O.
the American people despite the opinion
| of Senator Jones.