The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-12-13
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,

THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
States, the establishment Of ports Of
entry and delivery, the regulation OF
patents and copyrights these, with
various other subjects, which rest en-
tirely within the power of Congress,
call for confederation and immediate
action.
OPEN THE MARKETS.
1t must be borne in mind that since
the cession Porto Rico has been denied
the principal markets she had long en-
joyed, and our efforts have been con-
tinued against her products as when
she was under Spanish sovereignty.
The markets Of Spain are closed TO her
products except upon terms to which
the commerce OF all nations is subject
ed. The island Of Cuba, which used to
buy her cattle and tobacco without Gus.
toms duties, now imposes the same du-
ties upon these products as from any
other country entering her ports. She
has, therefore, lost her free intercourse
with Spain and Cuba without any com-
pensating benefits In this market. Her
coffee was little known and not in use
by our people, and therefore there was
no demand here for this, one of her
chief products. The markets OF tho
oulbC SVobCb bhOulu 10 OpCuSu " nST
products. Our plain duty is to abolish
all customs tariffs between the United
States and Porto Rico and give her
products free access to our markets.
AS q result of the hurricane which
sWspt over Porto Rico on the 9Th OF
Aug ust, over 100, 900 people were re-
duced to absolute restitution, without
homes and deprived Of the necessities
OF life. To the appeal Of the war de-
partment the people of the United
States made prompt and generous
charity OF our people, the war depart
men has expended for the relief Of the
distressed $685., 342, which does not In
~c!ade the cost OF transportation.
1t Is desirable that the government
OF the island, under the law of belligcr-
emit right, now maintained through the
executive department., should be SUI
perseded by al administration entirely
civil in its nature. For present pur-
poses | recommend that Congress pass
a law for the organization of b temper
airy government which shall provide
for the appointment by the President,
subject to confirmation by the Senate,
Of q governor and such other officers as
the general administration of the is
land may require n for Legislative
purposes, on subjects OF a local nature
not partaking OF a Federal character,
Legislative council, composed partly
Of Porto Ricsns and partly Of citizens
of the United States, shall be nomi-
mated and appointed by the President,
~ subject to confirmation by the Senate,
their acts to be subject to the approval
of the Congress or the President, prior
to going into effect.
In the municipalities and other local
subdivisions, l recommend that the
plan Of local self-goverument be applied
at once, so as to enable the intelligent
citizens of the island to participate in
their W government and to learn by
practical experience the duties and
requirements OF a self. contained and
self-governing people. | have not
thought 1t wise to commit the entire
government Of the island to officers
selected by the people, because l doubt
whether in habits, training and expe'
rience they are such as to fit them tC
exercise at once 30 large u degere O
self-government, but it is my juGg,
ment and expectation that they will
soon attain an experience and wisdom
and self-control hat will justify con
ferring upon them u much larger par
ticipation In the choice of the insulal
officers.
The fundamental requirement fol-
these people, as for all people, is edu
cation. The free school house Ia tn,
best preceptor for citizenship. In the
Introduction of modern educatiOna
methods care, however, must be OK
ercised that changes be not made to,
abruptly and that the history ant
racial peculiarities Of the inhabitant
shall be given due weight. Systems 0
education in these new posseseson,
founded upon common sense methods
n1onfn1 IN nviotinr onnAfffnro n-.
looking to the future movement ant
Individual advancement Of the people
will command In a peculiarly effective
ann the blessings Of q free govern
ment. The love Of law and the sense
Of obedience and submission to the
lawfully constituted judicial tribunal
are embedded In the hearts Of our PEG
pie, and any violation Of these senti
ments and disregard Of their obliga
tions justly arouses public condemna
ton. The guarantees of life, liberty
upheld, the rights OF trial by jury re-
spected and defended. The rule Of
the courts should assure the public o.
prompt trial Of those charged with
criminal %offenses, and upon conviction
the punishment should be common,
sucate with the enOrmity Of the crime
Those who, in disregard of law and
and the public peace, unwilling tC
await the judgment Of court and jury
constitute themselves judges and ex.
ecutioners should not escape the
severest penalties for their crimes.
LYNCHING MUST CEASE.
What I said in my inaugural address
OF March 4, 1897, | now repeat
The constitutional authorities
should DO cheerfully upheld. Lynch.
ings must pot be tolerated In a great
and civilized country like the United
States. Courts, not mobs, must exc.
cute the penalties OF the laws. The
preservation Of public order, the right
Of discussion, the integrity Of courts,
and the orderly administration of JUS
tice must continue forever the rock OF
safety upon which our government Sc.
curely rests"
In accordance with the act Of Con.
gress providing for an appropriate ma.
tional celebration In the year 1900 OF
the establishment of the seat of gov
eminent In the District of Columbia, |
bave appointed a committee consist
ing OF the Governors of all the States
and Territories Of the United States,
who have been invited to assemble In
the city OF Washington on the 2lst Of
December, 1899, which, with the com
mittee, of the Congress and the Dis .rict
OF Columbus, are charged with the
proper conduct Of the celebration.