Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1899-12-08

pines rests with the congress Of the United
States Few graver responsibilities have
ever been confided to us. If we accept
them in spirit worthy Of our raos and
. our tradi lions, great opportunity comes
with them. The islands lie under the
shelter of our flag They are ours by
every title of law and equity. They can
not be abandoned. If we desert them We
leave them at once to anarchy and finally
to barbarism. We fling them, q golden
apple of discord, among the rival powers,
no ono of which could permit another to
seize them unquestioned. Their rich plains
and valleys would be the scene Of endless
strife and bloodshed. The advent Of
Dewey's fleet In Manila bay, instead of
being as hoped, the dawn of a new day Of
freedom and progress will have been to
begin an era of misery and violence worse
than any which has darkened their I'M
happy past. The suggestion has been
made that we could renounce our author
tty over the islands and giving them in
dependence could retain protectorate
over them. This proposition will not be
found, 1 am sure, worthy of your serious
attention. such an arrangement would
involve at the outset
A Cruel Breach Of Faith.
It would place the peaceable and loyal
ma ority, who ask nothing better than
to accept our authority, at the mercy of
the minority Of armed insurgents. 1t
would make us: responsible for the acts of
the insurgent leaders, and give. us no
power to control them. 1t would charge
us with the task of protecting them
inc noh 9th md l1fn
against any foreign power with which
they chose to quarrel. In short, it would
take from the congress of the United
States the power of declaring war, and
vest that tremendous prerogative in the
Tagal leader of the hour.
1t does not seem desirable that should
recommend at this time specific and
final form of government forthese islands.
When peace shall be restored it will be the
duty of congress to construct q plan OF
government which shall establish and
maintain freedom and order and peace in
the Philippines The instruction is still
existing and when it terminates further
information will be required as to the
actual condition of affairs before tnaugu-
rating permanent scheme of civil govern
ment. The full report Of the commission
now in preparation will contain informa.
t1on and suggestions which will be Of
value to congress, and which will trans
NIT as soon as 1t is completed. As long
as the instruction continues the mill.
tary arm must nel essa1ily be SUI
preme. But there Is Nc reason why
steps should ncS be taken from time
to time to inaugurate governments essen.
TALLY popular in their forms as fast as
they are held or controlled by our troops.
To this end am considering the advisa-
bility of the return of the commission or
such of the members thereof as can be Sc
cured, to aid the existing authorities and
facilitate this work throughout the ISL
ands / have believed that reconstruction
should not begin by the establishment Of
one central civil government for the
island with it's seat at Mnaila, but rather
that the work should be commenced by
building from the bottom and municipal
governments and then provincial govern.
ments, u central government to last fol-
low. Until congress shall have made
known the formal expression of it's will,
shall use the authority vested in me by
the constitution and the statutes to up
hold the sovereignty Of the United States
in those distant islands as in all other
places where our flag rightfully floats.
shall put at the disposal Of the army and
navy all the means which the liberality Of
congress and the people have provided to
cause this unprovokcd and wasteful in
surrection to cease. Ii any orders Of mine
were required to insure the merciful con-
duct of military and naval operations
they would not be lacking; but every step
of the progress of the troops has been
marked by a humanity which has
Surprised Even the NJ ,sg guided Insurgents
The eruest kindness to them will be
swift and effective defeat of their present
leader. The hour Of victory will be the
hour of clemency and reconstruction.
No effort will be spared to build up the
waste places desolated by war and by long
years of lnisgovernment. We shall not
wait for the end of strife to begin the
benefcent work. We. shall continue, as
| we have begun, to open the schools and
| the churches, to set the courts in opera
| ton, to foster industry and trade and
agriculture, and in every way il
our power to make these pee
| pie whom providence has brought within
our jurisdiction feel that it is their liberty
and not our power, their welfare and not
our gain, we are seeking to enhance. Our
| flag has never waved over any community
but in blessing. believe the PHILIPPINES
will soon recognize the fact that it has not
! lost it's gift of benediction in it's world
| wide journey to their shores.