Question

march of the flag, 1898
by sen. albert j. beveridge
senator albert j. beveridge gave his speech while running as a republican in the us senate race in indiana. he was elected in 1899. at the time, the united states had just defeated spain in the spanish - american war, and as a result won new territory from spain, including puerto rico in the caribbean, and the philippine islands and guam in the western pacific. americans were divided on the issues of expansion and imperialism. while some believed that it was wrong to colonize foreign lands, others believed that the united states had a duty to bring western civilization to those they viewed as inferior.
fellow - citizens—it is a noble land that god has given us; a land that can feed and clothe the world.... it is a mighty people that he has planted on this soil; a people sprung from the most masterful blood of history.... it is a glorious history our god has bestowed upon his chosen people: a history whose keynote was struck by liberty bell; a history heroic with faith in our mission and our future; a history of statesmen, who fung the boundaries of the republic out into unexplored lands and savage wildernesses....
therefore, in this campaign the question is larger than a party question. it is an american question. it is a world question. shall the
which statement from “march of the flag” addresses a counterargument?
“would not the natives of the philippines prefer the just, humane, civilizing government of this republic...?”
“the rule of liberty... applies only to those who are capable of self - government.”
“the opposition tells us that we ought not to govern a people without their consent.”
“it is a noble land that god has given us; a land that can feed and clothe the world.”

Explanation:

A counterargument addresses an opposing view. The statement "The opposition tells us that we ought not to govern a people without their consent" directly references the opposition's (counter) argument, acknowledging and addressing it. Other options either present the speaker’s own view or a hypothetical without referencing an opposing stance.

Answer:

The third statement (the one with "The opposition tells us that we ought not to govern a people without their consent.")