Speech #570019297

I shall now pass on to consider the question of the limitations upon the power of Congress to legislate in respect to citizenship and civil and political rights. To arrive at a proper solution it is well. first. to consider the civil and political status of the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands. after cession and before CongressIonal leaeslation. It is a principle of international law that mere annexation. in the absence of treaty provisions therefor. does not of itself necessarily imply a naturalization of the people of the Territory annexed. and does not confer upon them the full political rights of citizenship. (2 Wharton. sec. 187 and note. 1 Halleck. p. 433. sec. 31. chapter 12.) The municipal laws of such territory relative to private rights. touching person and property. remain in force till abrogated or changed by the annexing nation. These laws the people of such territory carry with them (American Insurance Company v. Canter. 1 Peters. 542). but they bring with them no political rights and are possessed of none till expressly conferred upon them by their new superior.