BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1904-09-24
CRITICISMS

by the expansionist criterion it sets.
1t enumerateS those claimed to be eff
fective, especially for election purpo-
sses and publishes the following list OF
the highest:
The Possession of Porto Rico, the
Philippines, the canal zone, etc.
To these the Democrats have re-
piled, accompanying their declarations
with a gesture of sublime horror and
supreme plety.
ANY people incapable of self 60
vernment according to our laws, in
>consonance with our Constitution, is a
people that should not form a part of
United States territory"
No one can condemn or repel in a
too decisive manner and with too
great energy the conquest of people
and the right proclaimed of COLOMBIA
tion by force.
Any people unable to govern them
selves in conformity with American
laws is people that is incapable of
becoming part of the United States.
Consider. then, expansion in unbrd-
led sway; the Republic wrapped in its
toga without the luStre ana splendid
sovereignty OF the purple; anP more
still, what the Democratic. programme
says to the imperialists.
Abandon the people who are not ca
pable of being ruled by our laws, and
those people who are not capable Of
being controlled by our laws are all
Latin peoples, of Latin refinement,
because it might be necessary to ex-
terminate them, and we have no right
TO do that; democracy cannot des-
troy by force.
The life of small people cannot be
appropriated by a large and strong
nation.
Against all tho Sc excuses of the
tyrants this supreme integrity pre-
walls:
I'VE oppose most fervently, as
George Washintoug wouldsoppose inde.
finite, irresponsible discretional and
vague absolutism, all politics for colo
pial exploitation, regardless of who
may invoke or exercise it. Those who
may be inherently inapt to live ac-
-cording to the institutions of the Uni
ted States are also inherently inapt for
incorporation into our political orga-
cations. Any people incapable of
self government according to our laws
and in consonance with our Constitu-
tion, is people that should not form
a part of the dominion Of the United
States.
That is very clear and ends we'll.
If the people are not able to beco-
of fAG
a federation in which all may become
sovereign and free undcr unitarian
principles Ct national sovereignty, if
not able or not in condition to share
the title of political brethren. should
remain outside FIR liberty and sovc-
eighty are their proper destiny.
Not colonists; not slaves; but ore
thrcn, equals, it is Said.
Would it not be possible FIR di ,cor-
dant elements ana distinct characters
to become part Of the family?
Rstain the supreme recourse. I'm
pedc the commencement of the work.
AS it is, no one has power TO make
such authorization
III. doctrine Of pure Democracy
;s1st.ins great part OF the people of
the United States.
Those who maintain the criterion
know that, as we have said, it is i'll
possible fer these people to adjust
themselves to the laws and Gust ms of
another people without losing them
selves; and the right to wipe out a
people has never been delegated TOT
any one; no one has such r1gh.
The ilustrious Mr. PaI er the De-
mocratic candidate fer Presto MT of
the United States, expresses hi, de
mocratic cristerion most amply but
unfortunately does not refer to Porto
Rico nor to its pp.l.ltat status.
Referring to the Philippines and
gls ng th- phare selfgovernment re
pl ing to Mr. Mijbarn, he says
After taking note of the criticisms
in your letter referred TO. notwithstan
ding l d. not comprehend how anyone
can say thai q people may enjoy 4
proper government when the other
ma ton meets it with conditions 70 do
7nina:. its will aud acts no matter in
what degree.
That refers to the PAiiplne Ar
chlpeIago and to hat people, not-
withstanding they are far less cultured
1han we, is the formal promise made.