The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-12-22
DUT @ HE NATION.
New Possessions IN the Philippines
Cannot Be Abandoned.


New Possessions IN the Philippines
Cannot Be Abandoned.
President McIxinley's Address at =
BANQUET IN Savannah, Ga. he q
Spends . Busy sunday IN
That City. 7ssss;5
Savannah, Ga, Dec. 19.-President
Mckinley, on his entry into Savannah
at TO- 80 o'clock Saturday morning, was
welcomed with a salute Of 81 guns,
fired from brass cannon presented BY
Gen. Washington to the Chatham
guards, Of Savannah, 108 years ago.
Ten thousand people were massed at
the front Of the De Soto hotel to greet
him, and against their determination
to get close to the carriages of the
presidential party the Georgia hussars,
acting as escort, and the provost guard.
were as toy soldiers. @ '.s4s
After a brief halt at the hotel, the
presidential party proceeded to the re
viewing stand. erected at Forsythe
park. " ssS r. - 3 - l,asy$s,
Fourteen thousand soldiers of the
Seventh army corps, commanded by
Maj. Gen. j. Warren Kiefer, passed in
review before the commander in chief,
and the impressive military ceremonial
was witnessed by 10000 civilian specta-
tors.
Three hundred persons were present
at the banquet table at night, and when
President Mckinley arose to respond
to the toast, ''The United States" the
cheering was as enthusiastic as any
that has characterized his week of tri-
umphs.
President on Nations Duty.
When the applause had subsidized the
president said:
There is cause for congratulation that
with the grave problems before lis growing
out OF the war with Spain. we are free from
any divisions at home.
our financial and revenue policies can
not be changed for at least four years, and
Whatever legislation may be had affecting
them during that period will be to improve
ana strengthen, not destroy them.
THE public mind can, therefore, repose
In reasonable security, while business will
proceed without apprehension of serious
and sudden changes SO distracting to the
commercial world and SO distracting to the
business man. All of which is fortunate
for the country, for every interest and
every section of the country.
Even those who desire other and Diff
ferent policies prefer permanence to con-
slant change or, what Is almost as hurtful,
the fear of change. There are happily now
nc domestic differences to check the prog
: ress and prosperity of the country which
our peaceful relations with the whole
world will encourage and strengthen.
This Is fortunate, too, in another sense.
It leaves the country free to consider and
discuss new questions which are immedi-
ately before us. unbiased by party or past
political alliances. These new questions
are to be thought out and wrought out, not
of patriotism, not for the temporary adj
vantage Of one party or the other, but for
the lasting advantage Of the country.
An Unexplored Field.
Neither prejudice nor passion, nor pre-
vious condition can embarrass the free ac-
ton and calm judgment of the citizen. We
have entered upon new paths We are
treading in an UNEMPLOYED field which will
test our wisdom and craftsmanship
"The chief consideration Is one. Of duty;
our actions must be controlled by it. No
settlement is admissible which will not
preserve our honor and promote the best
interests of all concerned.
with united country and the gathered
wisdom of all the people. seeking only the
right, inspired only by high purposes,
moved only by duty and humanity. we can
not err. We maybe bafied or deferred and
often discouraged, but final success in q
cause which Is altogether unselfish and hui
manitarian can only be deferred, not pre-
vented.
IT, following the clear precepts of duty,
territory falls to us, and the welfare Of an
lection. who will shrink from the respon-
sibility, grave though it may be?
Can we leave those people who, by the
fortunes Of war and our own acts, are
helpless and without government to chaos
and anarchy, after we have destroyed the
only government they have had?
Duty Is Apparent.
AFTER destroying their government it is
the duty Of the American government to
provide for them better one. Shall we
distrust ourselves, shall we proclaim to the
world our inability to give kindly govern
ment to oppressed peoples. whose future
by the victories of war, is confided to us?
We may wish it were otherwise, but who
will question our duty now?
ut is not question of keeping the is
! lands of the east, but of leaving them
Dewey and Merritt took them and the
country instantly and universally applaud
! ed
could we have brought Dewey away
without universal condemnation at any
time from the LIST of May. the day of his
| brilliant victory. which thrilled the world
| With its boldness and heroism?
WAS it right to order Dewey to 70 Ia
Manila and capture or destroy the Spanish
fleet and dispatch Merritt and his army to
reinforce him? r. .
IF it were duty to send them there, and
| duty required them to remain there, it was
| their clear duty to annihilate the feet take
| the city of Manila, and destroy the Spanish
| sovereignty in the archipelago.
Having done all that In the line of duty,
| is there any less duty to remain there and
| give to the Inhabitants protection and also
| cur guidance to better government
which will secure to them peace and order
and security in their life and property and
in the purusit of happiness?
Are we unable to do this? Are we to
sit down in our isolation and recognize NO
| obligation to a struggling people whose
| present conditions we have contributed to
| make? l would rather have the confidence
| of the Poet Bryant when he exclaims:
''Thou. my country, thou shalt never fall.
Seas and stormy air
Are the wide barrier Of thy borders, where
Among thy gallant sons that guard thee
Thou laughst at enemies. Who shall then
The date of thy deep founded strength. o,
tell
How happy in thyIlap the SONS of men shall
my felllow-citizens. whatever covenants
duty has made for us in the year 1898 we
other speeches.
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