Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-11-10
SENATOR PROC TORS SPEECH

Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the Joint
Assembly:
4 / regret that | could not well be pres
ont at the time to return my thanks for
your recrat expression Of continued con-
tdcrce Eut there are some things one
wish to see with his own eyes rather
than take at second hand. ana this aut-
umr seemed the best. If not indeed the
only time Tor the trip frCm which | have
Just returned. You may be assured that
my absence was. from nc lack of approcia-
ton Of your friendly action. ON" may
visit many lands aud may study their in
situations and tn condition of their pcJ-
pie and rul none, | believe, where man
and nature combined have given SO salts
factory results aus here in our own State.
We are Justified in being proud Of Yer
mont and her people. To represent such
e state ana such "A people Is an honor ana
pleasure that cannot be measured in
words.
Vermont has long held an honorable po-
stiou i'm our nation. and our nation has
now come to occupy ~ greatly enlarged pO-
sition in The world. Never before We're
the nations Of Europe 50 Interested as
now in the future policy Of our country.
Indeed. what that policy i u lc is tn"
greatest question before our own people.
Hawaii and Porto Hico have been added
to the nations dominion We have be-
come, aud must for all time, I've sponsors
must assume some responsibilities, wheth-
or they be greater or less, In the
Ear East. and they are" in my opin-
ion. bound to be greater. Thcs. changes
ar" not 10 he regarded lightly. hut our
action with regard to Cuba was clearly
dictated by the interests of humanity and
civilization. ana the questions which have
followed from the war arc ia, natural
result of Il manifest destiny which We
could not have avoided II we would. In
these circumstances ana W.th respect Ia
these questions, although We may not ali
agree as to what Is best to do, | believe
that the American people in a large de-
gree possess what the President has 50
happily termed III" courage OF dcstiny-a
cuurap, which viii brave! and wisely
face every new problem whica arises. II
Is characteristic OF the American people
not To shirk or shrink from responsibility,
and 10 have an abiding faith that they
, can do whatever Is within the power OF
man to do by brain or hand.
Many Use and PATRIOTS men in tho
country, many in our State, believe that
we should retain no territory or contru
I'm the Philippines beyond Il coulin" station
| or. possibly. Il single island. recognize
/ the cogcncy of their arguments, but HAY,
! failed to see clearly amy practical way
of carrying out their Views; at least any
probability that such would be the verde
, ui the country.
! And If We assume amy jurisdiction il
: those islands there IS no logcaI stopping
place short of the whore. TO establish
divided Sovcr. ientN, part of The peop!'
under Spanish and part under American
jurisdiction. would hC to invite trouble
M half way step is safe.
Since that Nay morning It has seemed
to me practically settled that Spain mus
II sur" ndtr her entire sovereignty in TN
u Philippines. Whether We must assume il
- on what disposition is to be made Of then
#, is. to be sure, another question, and II dli
- nCult one | admit-tuo important to III
settled in haste; but In my view tb" stron
( sentiment in favor Of taking the cntir
. contro. will Ar the majority one. Thos
II who oppose this result offer furciblc m
4 gumcnts, but they are not united in sub
- hitting any other practical proposition
= 1t therefore seems to IN" more than prof.
able almost Cartuin that Admiral Dcwc
: settled great questions Of national polio
> as certainly and completely as he destroy
;, cd the Spanish fleet. You will. ! know
e pardon me If | have spoken too plain.
upon pending matter on which there AZ
differences of opinion, hut ii seemed
:, me that a frank statement of what | h,
n Hove to be the inevitable outcome of tn
- situation was not improper at this TIM
), | do not say, or pretend To know, whcthC
s. II is the most desirable result, but mcrcl
say that in my view the question W.
practically determined when the stars an
le stripes were first raised i'm the Philippine
te As all the people from North and Soutl
W republicans and democrats, have vie
X with each other during the present va
nj in their devotion to their country, so
believe that the consideration of thes
new questions arising out Of il will !
u met, not from the basis of partisan pol
"a ties but from the basis of an cularE.
patriotism. In times of great omcrgeno
III the American people arise above part
= "a = . on al
to he reminded that patriotism is Il daep'
)c and more abiding sentiment in our hear
D. than politics, ana the country's welfa
. than any party advantage.
70 These new avenues of responsibility "
st carry with them new avenues Of oppo
X tunTty. We have had "A new introductit
to the world, and our products and man