The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-14

The President says IN ms message tHd
our only purpose in taking possession OF
cuba is to establish a stable government
ana then turn that government over to
the people of Cuba. Congress could re-
affirm this purpose in regard to Cuba,
and assert the same purpose in regard to
the Philippine Islands and Porto Rico.
Such a resolution would make a clear
cut issue between the doctrine OF self
government and the doctrine of imperial
ism. We should reserve a harbor and
coaIing sstlon in Porto Rico and the
Philippines in return for services rem
dered. and think we would be justified in
asking the same concession from Cuba.
IN the case of Porto Rico, where the
people have as yet expressed no desire
for an independent government, we might
with propriety. declare oua Willingness to
annex the island If the citizens desire an
nexation; but the Philippine Islands are
too far away and their people too differ
ent from ours, to be annexed to the
United States. even if they desired it."
Col. Bryan does not consider the f1nan-
cial question as dead or as likely 10 De
shelved until it is, as he considers il, set
tied rightly. For the immediate present,
though, he seems TO regard the imperial
ism issue as requiring the attention Of
public men, and of the public generally, to
the exclusion of other issues. At this time
ne will not elaborate his views on this
line. but before long he will give an ar
tclc TO the press, in all probability, deal
ing with the future of the silver question
1T is just this way" said he, "a farmer
who is blowing in the field and who sees
his home in danger from fire will quit the
pillow and exert himself in another dlrec-
ton toward preventing injury to his
house. No one would say, though, that
because the pillow had been left idle in
the field for the time being that the man
stitutions that we hold dearest are I be
lleve, imperiled by the new policy of i'm
perialism. 1t is a question that must be met
al oFfce, tast as that farmer must immed-
ately confronts che danger to his home.
To wait would be 10 tacttly acquiesce TO
encourage those who are leading in a
movement that draws us away from the
ancient landmarks of the fathers and the
safeguards of the future of our republic
When a new issue, fun of danger, is Gre
ated il must be met, and at once. But
that cannot be considered as implying that
other great issues have been buried"
Although military life possessed but few
attraction TO Col Bryan. it was evident
last night that he was sincerely attached
TO The men under his command and that
ne felt the cevering of the ties that had
connected them for some months. After
his sTeech 10 them in the tent he said:
That was the hardest speech 1 have had
TO make in a long, long time"
Col. Bryans speech was delivered in
subdued tone, although at times it was ov-
ident that he with difficulty restrained the
flood of words and fiery eloquence that is
at his command. As Lieut.. Col. Vifquain
said afterwards, "The colonel was getting
a little heated toward the end"
After expressing the regrets that he
felt at leaving the regiment which he had
been so largely instrumental in organizing,
and which ne had expected to lead against
the Spanish forces in time of actual war,
Col Bryan said that there had been a con-
hict In him between the inclination to stay
With them until mustered out and the feel
ing. that duty called him 10 a work more
important just now than garrison duty He
reviewed the pleasant relations that had
continued between him and the officers
and men of the regiment from its organ
ization to this time TO the many pleasant
recollections of their friendship that he
would carry with him into private l.fe,
and expressed his regrets that
he had been unable to do more for them
than he had and especially chat he would
be unable 10 carry out all the plans he
had formed for making their service in
the army agreeable. But in leaving them
1t was a qualification to know that they
were in such good hands. under a COM
mander who was so we'll qualified to be
their leader in military affairs, as well as
their wise counsellor ana true friend in
camp. When authorized to organize a reg
iment, Col. Bryan continued, he had asked
Lieut.. Col Vifquain, a brevet brigadier
general of The civil war whether he would
accept the position of lieutenant colonel
if rendered him. lie had done so. The
Office was offered him because of his eX-
perlence and military ability. Col. Bryan
said that he nau Dulldeu more wisely lAan
he knew and as a result he was leaving
the regiment in the hands of a man in
whom both they and he had the greatest
confidence.
The retiring colonel then tod his men
that il he could by hypnoUzing them have
them feel as he would ike to have them
feel he would leave them regretting the
separation from their first commander, and
yet feeling that his going was justified by
the conditions which now exist. lie had
no doubt that if physical courage had been
called for on the field of battle
the Third Nebraska would have shown
that it possessed il in an eminent
degree. But in the absence of opportunity
TO win military glory he hoped that TIE
men would show as high a moral cour-
age in resisting The temptations TO which
they were subjected. Col. Bryan made
an earnest plea for all to live so that they
would return tC their homes and parents
none the worse for their service in the
volunteer army. To his mind there was
no higher type of patriot than the volun-
teer soldier. who fought when his country
needed lighting and worked when il need
ed labor. He indicated p.ainly that he
4 MT ropcf1ar that f1olfgo I1,t,~ mos So.