The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-10-12

reference only to Cuba, bit Spain declared for
war generally and thus broadened the field so
as to include Porto Rico and the Philippines
and thus we have greater prestige, free Cuba
and territorial acquisitions Of incalculable i'm
portance.
We have also learned some lessons. We
have learned that it is not wise to be wholly
or practically unprepared for war. 1t is a wise
maxim still that in time Of peace we should
prepare for war, at least to the extent OF main
tanning an army and navy commensurate
with our wealth and population and interests;
and in this connection we have learned that
we cannot depend upon great wealth or great
population or jealous patriotism alone for our
national defense 1t was our good fortune that
the long peace since our civil war was first in.
terrupted by trouble with Spain rather than
with England or some other great power able
to strike at once. We have learned the neces-
sity for coast defenses; good navy and good
army, both adequate in numbers as well as in
quality. We have learned another thing and
that is that the Nicaragua canal is essential
not only to commerce but also to our efficient
defense. To reach the Scene OF action the Ore.
gon was required to sail 10000 miles farther
than would have been necessary il she could
have crossed the isthmus, and now, with the
Iowa as a consort, she has started to return tu
the Pacific, and it is estimated that it will re-
quire three months for them to pass from our
eastern to our western coast and reach their
destination.
The great questions Of the hour are what
shall we do with Cubal What shall we do with
Porto Rico1 And what particularly with the
Philippines So far as Cuba is concerned
there should be no question whatever. The
Cubans have earned their independence. We
have solemnly declared not only that they are
free and independent, but also that they shall
have a government of their own choosing.
We must keep our promise, and we will But
this promise Of independence to Cuba does not
apply to Porto Rico or the Philippines. We
took these islands by the conquest Of wan and
they are ours. / do not know what the treaty
OF peace now being prepared in Paris will pro-
vide but | sincerely hone it viii give to the
United States not simply coaiing station or
a single island, but the whole group of the
Philippine Islands. | have fear of the
ability of our people successfully to govern
them, and | feel that ii would be crime to
return them to the government OF Spain. I'm
der our protection and guidance they can have
intelligence and prosperity, ana we can have
a base Of operations in the far east highly es-
sental TO securing our fair share OF the trade
in China and the rest OF the eastern world.
Japan has stepped to the front with COM
merce that is greatly to the advantage OF all
who trade with her. The possibilities with
China are far greater. All the great nations are
struggling for their share Of the trade to be de.
veloped when China has opened up communi.
cation and commerce with the world. The
United States must have her full fair share in
that trade. One OF the questions now
pressing upon US is how to provide govern
ments for these islands and so to govern and
direct affairs as to acquire the commerce to
which we are entitled and secure the conse-
quent prosperity to all our people. Only that
party should be entrusted with 1t that has
shown itself capable of dealing with great
affairs. Both in peace and iE war the repub-
lcan party has proven equal to every emer.
gency, and the record it has made is guaran'
tee that it will meet these problems OF the fu.
ture and solve them with the same triumphant
success that has attended it in all its brillian,
career. / do not believe any fair-minded dem
ocrat would question the fitness Of the repub
| can party for the discharge Of this duty
But however it may be otherwise the work i.
| already in the hands of President Mckinley
What he wants is the support of republican
house of representatives