New-York tribune., 1903-03-23
TRADE WITH THE ISLANDS.

: Senator Morgan's resolutions. expressing the
anptnions which he thinks the Senate should
formally declare. set forth at least one ''undis-
!Yuted thing in such solemn way" and they
also contain some pregnant suggestions of
Thought. One CT the latter is contained in the
iseceHd Of the resolutions, to wit that trade be-
itwecn the United Ststes and its insuIar posses
IGicnE should he &c free as 1t is among the
iStatcs and Territories on this continent 1t
will i,e observed that the Senator says such
itrade should be- free: SIS a nntter of policy or
iexredfency, we assume. That is very different
grourd from that which some of his colleagues
;c-ce took. that it must be free, as matter Of
constitutional right and prescription. 1t Is Il
liar more reasonable ground than the latter, but
1T IS by no means safe from serious objection.
Trade with Porto Rico is free. It might, in-
l(ieea he we'll 70 make trade with the Philip
tFzzes free. though We can imagine bow siren
i4loasiy rot to say stridulouslT, some Of the Sen
IeteF's Democratic colleagues would oppose such
ia measure. What is Objectionable, however
IFS the saving that 1t should be free as II IS
iabetHeen our States and Territories on this
recruitment" For that saying seems to imply
Chat Il should lie free with the islands for the
sane reason that If is free among the States
IGnd that our insular possessions should be put
l17on the same basis as continental States
,snd Territories. From Such propositions, and
from I'll directly or indirectly looking toward
them. we must absolutely dissent. II there is
ito be free trade between the United States and
any Of the isIa ands, let it be established on its
own merits. bccause It is eXpedient in that par
ifIcular case and without the slightest reference
SO conditions prevailing among the members Of
this continental Union.
Tint il may be said implies the propriety
Of having one system in one part Of our domain
and another system Ia another part. Precisely.
THAT princfDle was sufflciently established Just
q hundred years ago, In the Louisiana Pur-
chase and it has been consistently maintained
ever since. The United States is competent
ecnstitut1onally. to possess, and, as matter Of
fact does possess, two distinct and separate
kinds Of territory. One is the territory incorpo-
te6 into the federal Union, In the form Of
States. The other is the territory owned by the
T-nion. but not Incorporated into it. Some Of
<he latter is destined ultimately to be taken into
the Union, such &C the few remaining Terri
tories On this continent, contiguous with exist
spe stetea Because Of their situation. their
eoutiEutty with the States, and their ''mani-
fest destiny" Of Statehood, It is well TO put
them under the same tariff laws al the States.
Bat the remote insuIsr possessions have no
such manifest destiny" and are not to be con-
formed with the Union in their trade systems.
We shsII DO well to drop all talk and all
thoueht OF etateaeod for the Islands Of the SEA
ana 6evote cur attention b caring for them and
prume4ins their interests as iawfui possessions
e. bat net 40 prssest OF prospective members
q. thsa Unson. TAaf there IL tree tEade between
Hew.YcrK and Peunsyiyaniss OF between Mas
saenrsetts and AFtsona, 10 not the slightest
reason Why there sheui6 Be free tra0e between
the Cnited States and Porto Rico. Or between
ahe untsad States aaA tha PhilipDtness We %