The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-11-09
Senator prociOr's Speech.

election to the Uui,ed States Senate,
the DAILY JOURNAL expressed the
hope, in which it believed that oil the
people of Vermont heartily concurred,
that the Senator would sometime during
this session of the LIE sslature speak 10
all the people of the State, through the
G neral Asse mbly, on the subj ct of
prime interest and Importance, the act
Element of the great questions growing
out of the issue of the war with Spain.
The JOURNAL believed that what Seua-
tor Proctor might have to Say would
be broadly representative Of the senti-
ment and judgment of Vermont, and
would present wholesome antdote to
the disposition manifested in certain
quarters to waive aside the duties and
responsibilities thrust upon America by
the results of the war. Senator Proc
tors words will also have influence
throughout the country. No man in
the Nation has higher standing for
hard sense and sound judgment. His
official station, and further, the fact of
his recent return from Europe, where
he has had an opportunity to observe
the temper of foreign peoples on the
present aspect of Spanish-American af-
fairs, will impart peculiar significance
to his words and the opinions he ex-
presses. Subjoined is the full text of
Senator Proctor's speech
Mr.. President and gentlemen of the joint
assembly.
regret that could not we'll be present at
the time to return my thanks for your recent
expression Of continued confidence. But
there are some things one wishes to see with
his own eyes rather than take at second
hand, and this autumn seemed the best, if
not, indeed, the only time for the trip from
which l have just returned.
You may be assured that my absence
was from no lack of appreciation of your
| friendly action. One may visit many lands
and may study their institutions and the
| condition of their people and find noue,I be-
| lieve, where man and nature combined
| have gwen so satisfactory results as here in
| own State. We are justified in being proud
of Vermont and her people. To represent
| such State and such people is an honor
and pleasure that cannot be measured in
wordN
! Vermont has long held an honorable posi-
| ton in our Nation, and our Nation has now
| come to occupy greatly enlarged position
In the world. Never before were the ma
tions OF Europe 80 interested as now in the
| future policy of our country. Indeed, what
that policy is to be is the greatest question be-
fore our own people. Hawaii and Porto Rico
have been added to the Nations dominion.
| We have become and must for all time be
sponsors for the good government of
| Cuba. We must assume some responsible
ties, whether they be greater or less, in the
far east, and they are, in my opinion, bound
to be greater.
These changes are not to be regarded
| lightly, but our action with regard to Cuba
was clearly dictated by the interests of hui
mainly and civilization, and the questions
which have followed from the war are the
natural result of a manifest destiny which
we could not have avoided if we would
In these circumstances, and with respect to
these questions, although we may not all
agree as to what it is best to do Il believe that
! the American people in q large degree pos.
sess what the President has happily termed
the courage of destiny, courage which
will bravely and wisely face every new
problem which arises. 1t is characteristic
Of the American people not to shirk or
shrink from responsibility, and to have
an abiding faith that they can do whatever
is within the power of man to do by
| brain or hand.
Many wise and patriotic men in tie
country, many in our State believe that we
should retain n % territory or control in the
| Philippines beyond a coaling station, or DOS
sibly a single island. / recognize the co.
gency of their arguments but have failed to
see clearly any practical way of carrying
out their views at least any probability that
such would be the verdict OF the country
And II we assume any jurisdiction III
these islands there is no logical stopping
place short of the whole. To establish q
divided sovereignty, a part of the people
under Spanish and part under Amer
lean jurisdiction, would be to invite trouble
! No half way step is SAFE
Since that May morning it has seemed tC
me practically settled that Spain must sur
render her entire sovereignty in the Phil
ippines. Whether we must assume II, or wha
disposition is to be made of them, is, to bt
sure, another question, and difficult one
i admit, too Important to be settled il
haste. But in my view the strong sentiment
in favor of taking the entire control will
be the majority one. Those who oppose
this result offer forcible arguments but they
are not united in submitting any other prac
teal proposition. 1t therefore seems 10 IN,
more than probable, almost certain, that
Admiral Dewey settled great questions
OF national policy as certainly and com
pletely as he destroyed the Spanish fleet.
You Will, know, pardon me If | have
bPOhou wv piolhiy upOu mdbbt
on which there are differences of opinion
but it seemed to me that frank statemen
of what | believe to be the inevitable out
come of the situation was not improper a
this time / do not say or pretend to know
whether it is the most desirable result, but
merely say that in my view the question
was practically determined when the stars
and stripes were first raised in the Phil
lipines.
AS all the people from north and south
Republicans and Democrats, have vieC
with each other during the resent war il
their devotion TO their country, so believ,
that the consideration of these new qaes
tons arising out Of it will be met, not iron
the basis of partisan politics, but from tn,
basis OF an enlarged patriotism. In time
of great emergency the American people
rise above party strife, and il does us gooC
occasionally to be reminded that patriotism
is deeper and more abiding sentiment il
our hearts than politics, and the country
welfare than any party advantage.
Those new avenues of responsibility will
carry with them new avenues of opportu
nifty. We have had new introduction t.
the world, and our products and manufac
lures are going out into the markets of the
world as never before. That will not affec
the people OF Vermont 80 directly az thos
of some other sections but il will banefit II