Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 February 1900 — A Reflection of Rome. [ARTICLE]

A Reflection of Rome.

Indianapolis Press (rep.): If the views of President McKinley be those set forth by Mr. Henry Loomis Nelson in a summary published yesterday, we are being carried along the path of imperialism in a breathless fashion. Mr. Nelson, presumably after a personal interview, declares that: “It is Mr. McKinley's belief, and it will be his purpose to carry the belief into operation, that the Constitution does not apply to any of bur new islands; that those people are not fit forself-government beyond that proposed for Hawaii; that our new possessions must not be permitted to injure any of our protected interests, and that free trade with Porto Rico is right because dur protected interests will not be injured thereby. The President believes—and this is the most important statement that can possibly be made touching his present beliefs—that Congress has plenary power over Hawaii, Porto Rico and the Phillippines. He holds that Congress may pass one tariff law for Porto Rico, anbther for Hawaii, another for the Pljillippines, and that all may be different from that of the United States.” It is interesting to note how closely this parallels the theory of government that obtained in Rome during her palmy of conquest. The will of the Roman s Senate was the supreme law of the “conquered” provinces; they declared that they “pacified” them. The powers they conferred on a proconsul differed little from those conferred on Gens. Wood and Otis. Will we be conferring full citizenship on one province, while holding another in absolute subjection? And will we concoct a sort of “jus Latii” or half-citizenship for others? We have our Constitution and our republican form of government, of course. So did Rome until long after the Roman Empire became the Byzantine Empire. Had any one suggested at Rome; even during the time of Nero, that Rome was no longer a republic, he would have had to swallow his words or be food for the lions. If these be Mr. McKinley’s real views, they point the way to a repetition of.ancient history so clearly that he that runs may read. It is imperialism with a vengeance.