The Monte Vista journal., 1898-12-24
MUST NOT RETREAT.
NOTABLE SPEECH BY M'k,NLEx.
outllass Our Attitude Toward the Philip
plass-says We Could Not Recall Dew
sy's Fleet After Its Victory.

Savannah, Ca, Dec. 1S.-Thc recep-
ton Of President Mckinley and mem
bers of his Cabinet by the people Of
Savannah yesterday more than equal
ed In hospitality and completeness of
arrangements any previous experiences
which have marked the presidential
trip in the South
At the banquet last night in the De
Soto hotel, where the presidential party
Is staying. President Mckinley, amid
frequent applause. addressed an audi
ence OF over 200 persons.
In the course OF his speech he said:
There is cause for congratulation,
that, with the grave problem before us
growing out of the war with Spain, we
are free from any divisions at home.
Our financial and revenue policies
cannot be changed for ut least four
years, and whatever legislation may
be had effecting them during that peri
cd will be to improve and strengthen,
not destroy, them. The public mind
will therefore repose In reasonable Sc
curity. while business will proceed
without apprehension of serious and
sudden changes so disturbing to the
commercial world and so distracting to
the business men.
1.-THE country is free to consider and
discuss new questions which are imme-
diately before us, unbiased by party or
tlons are to be thought out and
wrought out. not In spirit OF par
tisanship, but In spirit OF patriotism.
not for the temporary advantage to
one party or to the other. but for the
n Of 1V.a = NJ h.,
I'VE have entered upon new paths.
We are treadlng In an unexploreti
field which will test our wisdom md
statesmanshIp. The chief considera.
tion Ia one OF duty: our actions must
be controlled by II. No settlement IL nd
missable which will not preserve our
honor and promote the best interests
Of all concerned. With united coun.
try and the gathered wisdom Of all
the people. seeking only the right. in.
spired only by high purposes. moved
only by duty and humanity. we cnnno,
err. We may be bafflcd or deferred
and often discouraged. but final sue.
cess In cause which is altogether un.
selfish and humanitarian can only be
deferred. not prevented.
"1f, following the clear preccpts OF
duty, territory falls to us. and the wei.
fare Of nn alien people who require
our guidance and protection. who will
shrink from the responsibility. grace
though II mny be. Can we leave these
people. who. by the fortunes of wal
and our own nets. are helpless and
without government, TO chaos and an.
nrchy. after we have destroyed the on.
ly government they have had!
AFTER destroying their government,
II Is the duty OF the American govern,
, ment to provide for them n better one
Shall we dlstrust ourselves. shall W,
proclaim to the world our inability u
give kindly government To oppressed
peoples. whose future by the victoric.
of war Is confldcd TO us? We may
wish II were otherwise, but who will
question our duty now:
1T Is not question OF keeping tho
islands OF the east. hut OF leaving
them. Dewey and Merritt took them
and the country Instantly and univcr
sally npplaudcd. Could We hav,
brought Dewey away without univcr
snl condemnation nj any time from tn,
nrst OF May. the day Of his brillinn,
victory. which thrilled the world will
Its boldness and hcroism; Was Il
right TO order Dewey to go TO Manila
and capture or destroy the Spnnisl
neet and dispatch Merritt and his army
to reinforce him?
III II were duty TO send them ther,
and duty required them TO remain
there. II was their clear duty to ami
hilate their fleet. take the city OF Ma
niln and destroy the Spanish sovcr
eighty In the archipelago. Having
done nll this In the line Of duty, I.
there any less duty to remain ther,
and give TO the Inhabitants protection
and also our guidance 10 better gov
ernment which will secure to then
peace and order and security In thci,
life and property and In the pursuit OF
hnppincssY 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 W,
have contributed to make!
II wsuld rather have the confldcnc,
Of the poet Bryant. when he cx
claimed:
"'Thou. my country. thou shall never
fall.
scns and stormy mir
Are the wide barrier Of thy border.
where.
Among thy gallant sons that guard
thee well.
Thou laugh at enemies. Who shall
then declare
The date Of thy deep founded strength
or tell
How happy In thy lap the sons OF mcr
shall dwcllf
"My fellow citizens. whatever cove,
nants duty has made for us In III.
year 1868. We must keep"