The opposition tells us that we ought not to govern a people without
their consent. I answer, The rule ... that all just government derives its
authority from the consent of the governed, applies only to those who are
capable of self-government. We govern the Indians without their consent,
we govern our territories without their consent, we govern our children
without their consent.... Would not the people of the Philippines prefer the
just, human, civilizing government of this Republic to the savage, bloqdy
[Spanish] rule... from which we have rescued them?
808.
... [D]o we owe no duty to the world? Shall we turn these peoples back
rod
to the reeking hands from which we have taken them? Shall we abandon
them, with Germany, England, Japan hungering for them?...
Wonderfully has God guided us..... We can not retreat from any soil
where Providence has unfurled our banner; it is ours to save
for liberty
and civilization.

What would be the “say” and the “mean” and “matter”?