The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-06-08
The! Reasoning Employed by Justice Brown
Strikes at Liberty in the
United States
A Bold Attempt to Erect an Empire Upon
the Ruins of the American
Constitution.

"By a vote Of five to four the su-
preme court has declared Mckinley
emperor of Porto Rico, and, accord
ing to the press dispatches, the en-
peror has gladly and gratefully accept
, ed the title and authority thus con-
ferred upon him by the highest tri-
bunal of the land.'
In these words w. J. Bryan states
his views of the supreme courts in
sular. decisions. The expression is
made in an editorial in The Commoner,
advance proofs. of which were given
out by Mr.. Bryan last Saturday night.
1t bears the heading, emperor Nc
Kinley."
Some of the striking paragraphs in
the article follow:
''This is one of the most important
decisions, if not the most important,
ever rendered by the court. 1t not
only declares that congress is greater
than the constitution which created it
the creature greater than the creator
but it denies the necessity for writ
ten constitution. The position taken
by the court is defended, or rather ex-
cused, by reasoning which, if followed
out, will destroy constitutional liberty
in the United States. Every reason
given by Justice Brown could be used
with even more force to support de-
cision multiplying all limitations placed
by the constitution on congress when
dealing with the citizens of the several
states. ate .. -.
.'sIf the Porto Ricans can trust the
wisdom and justice Of congress
which they do not elect and cannot
remove, why do the people Of the
United States need constitution to
protect them from a congress which
they do elect and can remove? The
decision in effect declares that the peo-
pie are not the source Of power. 1t
defends taxation without representa-.
tion,' and denies that governments de-
rive their just powers from the con-
sent Of the governed It assails the
foundations Of the republic and does
SO on the ground Of expediency.
'"The dissenting opinions bristle with
precedents and burn with patriotism.
They ought to awaken conscientious
Republicans to realization Of the
meaning Of Imperialism.
"This decision, like the Dred Scott
decision, raises political issue which
must be settled by the people. The
supreme court has Joined with the
president and congress in an attempt
to change the form of our government,
! but there yet remains an appeal to
the people.
'sThe election of 1900 did not decide
this question, for the Republicans de-
MED that they favored Imperialism.
But they can deny it no longer They
must now admit their reputation of
the constitution as well as the declara-
ton Of independence.
ITO what a glorious field for in
spection this justice Of the supreme
court has invited the American people!
Under this opinion we are about to
embark on Great Britain's colonial pol
icy, and to reassure ourselves, to quiet
our conscience, we have but to look at
the history of Great Britain toward
its outlying possessions since the
American revolution. An inspiring
spectacle indeed!
'We may look at South Africa.
where Great Britain's 'unrestrained
possession of power has destroyed two
promising republics and has drenched
the soil with the blood Of patriots. We
may look at India, whose people have
been dying of starvation for years
at India, where on several occasions
the bounty and generosity of the
American people have been necessary
in order to save human beings, living
under the sovereignty Of Great Brit.
ain, from death by starvation.
"We may look at Ireland, whose
population today is 100000 less than
1t was in 1S41; at ireland, whose peo.
pie have been defrauded of their nat.
ural rights; at Ireland, whose people