The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-12-15

cry direction and now look forward con.
fidently to a speedy completion of their
task.
1.-THE unfavorable circumstances con.
nected with an active campaign have
not been permitted to interfere with the
equally important work of reconstruction
Again | invite your attention to the re-
port of the commissioners for the inter
esting and encouraging details of the
work already accomplished in the estab-
lishment of peace and order and the in
auguration of self governing municipal
life in many portions of the archipelago.
notable beginning has been made in
the establishment of a government in the
island of Negros which is deserving of
special consideration. This was the first
island to accept American sovereignty.
Its people unreservedly proclaimed allie
glance to the United States and adopted
constitution looking to the establish
ment of popular government. 1t was
impossible to guarantee to the people of
Negros that the constitution so adopted
should be the ultimate form of govern
ment Such a question, under the treaty
with Spain and in accordance with our
own constitution and laws, came exclu-
| SlNely Wllulu lue OIL the COLI
gress. The government actually set up
by the inhabitants of Negroes eventually
proved unsatisfactory to the natives
themselves.
THE GOVERNMENT OF NEGROS
ga new system was put into force by
order of the major general commanding
| the department, of which the following
are the most important elements:
at was ordered that the government Of
the island of Negros should consist of a
military governor appointed by the Unit
ed States military governor of the Philip
| pines and a civil governor and an adj
visory council elected by the people, The
military governor was authorized to APP
| point secretary of treasury, interior, agri-
culture, public instruction, an attorney
general and an auditor. The seat of the
government was fixed at BacolOd. The
| military governor exercises the supreme
executive power. He is to see that the
laws are executed, appoint to Office and
fill all vacancies in office not otherwise
provided for, and may, with the approval
of the military governor of the Philip
pines, remove any officer from office. The
civil governor advises the military gov
ernor on all public civil questions and
presides over the advisory council. He,
in general, performs the duties which are
performed by secretaries of state in our
own system of government"
SLAVERY IN THE SULUS.
He next tells of the succession of the
United States to the rights of Spain over
the Sulu islands. He adds:
Article 10 provides that any slave in
the archipelago of Jolo shall have the
right to purchase freedom by paying to
the master the usual market value. The
agreeMent by General Bates was made
subject to confirmation by the president
and to future notifications by the con-
sent of the parties in interest | have
confirmed said agreement, subject to the
action of the congress, and with the res
ervation which | have directed shall be
communicated to the sultan of Jolo, that
this agreement is not to be deemed in any
way to authorize or give the consent of
the United States to the existence of
slavery in the Sulu archipelago. l COM
municate these facts to the congress for
it's information and action.
Everything indicates that with the
speedy suppression of the Tagalo rebel
lion life in the archipelago will soon re-
sumo its ordinary course under the pro-
lection of our sovereignty, and the peo
pie of those favored islands will enjoy a
prosperity and a freedom which they
have never before known. Already hun
dreds of schools are open and filled with
children. Religious freedom is sacredly
assured and enjoyed. The courts are dis
pensing justice. Business is beginning to
circulate in it's accustomed channels. Ma
Mia, whose inhabitants were fleeing to
the country a few months ago, is now a
populous and thriving mart of commerce.
The earnest and unremitting endeavorS |
of the commission and the admiral and |
major general commanding the depart |
ment of the Pacific to assure the people of |
the benehcent intentions of this govern |
ment have had their legitimate effect in |
convincing the great mass of them that
peace and safety and prosperity and sta
BILE government can only be found in a
loyal acceptance of the authority of the
United States.
A GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY.
''The future government of the Philip
pinnes," says the president, 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 race and our tradi-
tons. great opportunity comes with
them. The islands lie under the shelter
Of our flag. They are ours by every title
IF law and equity. They cannot be
abandoned. Ii we desert them, we leave
Them at once to anarchy and finally to
We fling them, golden APP
pie of discord, among the rival powers,
40 one of which could permit another to
seize them unquestioned. Their rich
plains and valleys would be the scene of
'ndless strife and bloodshed. The ad-
.ent of Dewey's fleet in Manila bay, in
tead of being as we hope, the dawn of
new day of freedom and progress, will
rave been the beginning of an era of mis-
Try and violence worse than any which
has darkened their unhappy past.
THE suggestion has been made that
re could renounce our authority over the
stands and, giving them independence,
Oud retain protectorate over them.
his proposition will not be found. | am
ure. worthy of your serious attention.
uch an arrangement would involve at
he outset a cruel breach of faith. 1t 5
yould place the peaceable and loyal ma {
Drity, who ask nothing better than to {
ccept our authority. at the mercy of the
Majority of armed insurgents. 1t would