Arizona silver belt., 1898-08-18
AS TO THE PHILIPPINES.

tho Aosuo Sho"AhS ous VI NuA WI with Spain are of serious import aud are likely to result in changing mater ially our national policy and our rela- tions to other powers. We entered upon this war with the avowed purpose of freeing the Cuban people from the Spanish yoke of oppression and misrule, and promising them an independent political existence.
 In accomplishing this the w;sest of our public men could not foresee the new complications and responsibilities which developed as the war progressed. Of these the greatest was the destruc- ton of the Spanish fleet in Manila, followed by the blockade of the harbor and cooperation with the insurgent forces against the city, which has re- suited in victory for the American arms and surrender of the Spanish garrison, as told in recent dispatch. We have not only gained possession of the only important city and fortified harbor in the Philippines, but having destroyed nearly the entire navy of the enemy, and in view of her financial bankruptcy, we have made it next to impossible for Spain to ever regain or hold her former possessions in Eastern waters. We could not give the islands back to Spain if we wanted to, because her hand is palsisd to retain them in her grasp.
 Were any other nation iu the position of the United States, the government would say we will keep the islands as the htigitimate fruit of victory. But in the United States we have a great many timid people who look with soli- tude upon any deviation from what they are pleased to call our traditional policy, especially as to the acquisition of territory detached from the North American continent They fear alliances which might involve us in foreign wars, they see danger in the increase of the army and navy, and are purturbed over the problem of subiugsting and sssimi- lating the native population of the islands. Furthermore, they contend that the constitution makes no provis. ion for the government of colonies or dependencies.
 Their view of the moral obligation of the United States as to the disposition of the Philippines is distorted to suit their uualterable opposition to territo- rial s1pausion. They argue that we are morally bound by promise made to ourselves that the wsr was Rot be one of conquest, yet they seem utterly unable to comprehend tbst there is a far greater obligation resting upon us, which absolyes the nation from any promise implied or expressed.
 The WAT was waged in the name of humanity, for the relief and rescue of a down trodden people, the Cubans. In the prosecution of that war ue have fairl, won the Philippines where the same conditions prerailed. Where the natives have been ground under the heel of oppression. Of our own voli- ton We have helped them to throw off the yoke of cruel despotism, and the flag of freedom floats over the smbat- dement's and dungeons of Manila and Cavite. The mind of the man must be morally di storted who can consent to the restoration of Spanish nisruie in the islands, or the abandonment of 5000, 900 souls, incapable of self government, to the aggrsssions of con tending powers. Every consideration of moral duty. of justice and national honor would condemn such base cow ar6iss.
 The Philippines are ours There is no nation that can dispute our claim to them. The enlightened and influential people of ths islands desire that they be annexed 10 the United States. There is ns constitutional barrier, and no problem to work out which we have pot already assumed in Cuba, Porto Rico and Hawaii The eagle has spread its sheltering wings oyer the Philippines and they should ever reEiain under it benign protection.