The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-19
NEW TERRITORY
DUTY to the islands, is to Give them
Stable Rule.
TIRE PRESIDENT AT SAVANNAH
Outlines what We should dO-should
Remainin Conquered Territory and
Give tho People Better Government.
Our Obligations are Blnding-A
Grand Reception by the Southern
era.

SAVANNAH. Ca. Dec. 1s.-The ra-
oeutlon Of President Mckinley and the
members Of his cabinet By the people OF
ss,,aunah yesterday more than eQualed
ony previous experiences which have
marked the presidential trip in the
south. The party arrived from Mont
Comery at II a. m. reviewed 10000
troops stationed around Savannah. took
a tsp down the Savannah river, and
vas entertained this evening at grand
banquet rendered By the chamber Of
commerce mad association of ci'lztns.
AT the banquet President Mckinley
spoke as follows:
4There ls cause for congFasulatlon
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 can
not be changed for at least four years.
and whatever legislation may be had
Affecting them during that period will
Sc TO improve and strengthen, not TO
destroy them.
"The public mind can, therefore re-
pose in reasonable security, while busl-
ness win proceed without apprehension
Of serious and sudden change 50 dis
turbIng to the commercial world and so
dIstracting to the business men. All of
which is fortunate for the country, Cor
every interest and every section OF the
country. Even those VINO desire other
and different policies prefer aermanenee
IL constant chargec or what Is almost
as hurtful. the fear OF change. There
are, happily. now no domestic diner
ences to check the progress and pros
psrIty OF the country, which our peace.
full relations With the whole world VIII
encourage and strengthen
In an Unexplored Field.
This is fortunate. too, in another
sense. It leaves the country free to
consider and discuss new questions
which are Immediately before US. un-
hiased by party or past political al
llancea. These new questions are to be
thought out and wrought out, not in a
spirit Of patriotism: nor for the tempo
rary advantage OF one party or the 9TH
er, but for the lasting advantage Of the
country. Neither prejudice nor passion
nor previous conditions can em6arraSs
the free action and calm judgment OF
the citizen. We have entered upon new
paths,
ave are treading in an unexplored
field which will test our wisdom ana
craftsmanship. The chief consideration
Is one OF duty: our actions must be con-
trolled by It. No settlement Is admtssi-
bic which will not preserve our honor
and promote the best interests OF OIL
concerned. With united country ana
the gathered wisdom OF all the people
seeking only the right, Inspired only by
high purposes. moved only by duty ana
humanity, we cannot err. we may ne
banned or deferred and often discourage
ed. but final success in cause which Is
altogether unselfiRh and humanitarian
can only be deferred, not prevented.
"If, following the clear precepts OF
duty, territory falls to US, and the vel
fare Of an alien people require our giiid-
ance and protection. who VIII shrink
from the responsibility, grave though II
may be4 Can we leave these 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? After destroying theiT
government It is the duty OF the Ameri-
can government to provide for them
better one. Shall we dlstrust ourselves.
shall We proclaim 90 the world our IN
ability to give kindly government to
oppressed peoples. whose future by the
Victories Of war Is confded to US? We
may wish 1t were otherwise, but who
viii question our duty now?
Question OF Leaving Them.
at Is not a question Of keeping the
islands OF the east, but OF leaving them.
Dewey and Merritt took them and the
country Instantly and universally APP
plauded. Could we have brought Dewey
away without universal condemnation
at any time from the FIRST OF MAG, the
day Of his brilliant victory, which thrill
cd the world with It's boldness and nero
ism? Was It right to order Dewey 90
10 to Manila and capture or DESTROY the
Snanlsh fleet and dispatch Merritt and
mis- army 20 reinforce him? II 1t was
duty to send them there, and duty re-
ouired them to remain there. It was
their clear duty to annihllate the heet.
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 pro-
lection and also our guidance to a bet
ter government. which VIII secure TO
them peace and order and security In
their life and property and In the pur-
cult OF happiness?
"Are we unable to do this? Are we to
sit down in our isolation and recognize
no obligation to struggling people
whose present conditions we have con-
trlbuted to make? would rather have
the confidence OF the poet Bryant, when
ne eEclaims:
Thou. my country, thou shalt never
Seas and stormy air
Are the wide barrier OF thy borders
Among ihy gallant sons that guard
thee well.
Thou Iaughst at enemies Who shall
then declare
Tho date Of thy deep founded
strength. or toll
How happy in thy lap the sons Of men
shall dweil?''
"MV fellow citizens. whatever coven-
ants duty has made for us In the year
1898 we must keep"