The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-08

people are. Not the taxpayers surely.
He has much to say against trusts.
We can only hope he is honest and sim
cere. Let the congress take steps to
put bits and brakes upon the monsters
of iniquity. The president thinks there
must be a remedy for such curses.
Let it be found by the congress. Some
thing is wrong in our laws n courts
or the laws now existing against trusts
would be vigorously and wisely enforc-
ed. We have but little faith in repub-
licans when they come to consider
trusts. Their high robber tariff has
created and fostered the monsters of
iniquity, and they may be suspected
when they express antagonism to
them. The law already created de-
clares that trust or monopoly in re-
straint of interstate or international
commerce" is unlawful and all injured
thereby can recover damages. Make
the law more drastic, more sweeping
so the rascals cannot find safe shelter
from the popular storm or the demands
of the law.
The president brings in rapid review
our relations with Chill. Argentine Re-
public, Brazil, Italy, etc. He favors
the Isthmian Canal. He favors a
commission to study the Chinese mar
ketS and enlarges upon the Importance
of the Paris exposition. The Alaskan
boundary is referred to at length. 1t
IS not yet settled. Also affairs with
Italy are treated Of, and both countries
will agree to a naturalization onven
ton. He wants a cable to be placed
connecting with Manila. This country
you see must have such connections
with all outlying conquests and Tex
pansions." The treaty with Japan is
considered and kind expressions for
Mexico INDUCED. Samoa and it's
troubles with it's partition" between
Germany and the United States, is
mentioned. We read in history Of the
partition of Poland" which has been
damned by poets and historians as in.
famous in the extreme. Uncle sam
joins Germany in another partition
tina may be loaded with infamy and
dynamite.
The president treats of Cuba at much
length. He sets forth what has been
lone in the way of government, in be-
half of law n justice and reforms.
He says that free Cubs must be a
reality" Very well. Let the congress
take the matter in hand and see that
every thing heretofore promised to
Cuba by the country shall be done in
utmost good faith.
There are now 45, 966 soldiers in Ma
Mia, and soon the force will be 1884.
In Cuba and Porto Rico n Hawaii
there are in officers and men 1887.
In the United States there are go Of
ficers and 1877 men. So in all the
army now is-98, 296. The people are
now bearing this huge burden. He re-
commends that the navy be still farth-
er enlarged.
He treats at length his war in the
Philippines. He says it must be ended,
and thinks the end is not distant. Here
him glibly writing, "the rebellion must
be put down." How those YankS can
spit out rebellion" And yet for OPP
preston not comparable to those they
have visited upon the Philippines
they rushed into a seven years war
with Great Britain and showed them
selves the worst of "rebels.' Ameri-
can sovereignty must first be estab-
lished and then the congress must
AXE in hand all that shall be done with
the Philippines. We are glad that
the and not Mckinley is to
deal with this question. He says the
Major General commanding in Negroes
put into force a system of govern
ment. Of the Sulu islands and it's Sui
tan he has something to say. A treaty
has been made with these people
where polygamy is worse than it is in
Utah n perhaps in Turkey, and
slavery exists. He says hat the
United States nave not given their
consent to the slavery feature, but we
believe he is silent as to the polyga-
nv. Mckinley modestly declines to
tell the congress what shall be the
government for the Philippines. He
should be thanked by a rising vote
of both bodies for this wonderful for
bearance.
But space warns us to close this very
rapid survey, emitting several parts
the message contains, but not of great
moment. He recommends a governor
and other officers be appointed to gov
ern Porto Rico, and talks Of local
self-government being applied at
once" 1t must be governed by Uncle
Sam, and it is doubtful in that event
how local self-government will fare.
He is not careful of such matters as
he should be when dealing with the
south and the rights of sovereign
states at home. Mckinley tries to juSti-
fly his strange acts in slaughtering civil
service to a considerable extent after
having been a pronounced advocate Of
it. But he often kicks over his own
buckets. Points raised in the mes
sage may require special examination
from time to time. The president
talks prettily' and show art and sa-
gacity in his efforts ito make the
worse appear the better reason" He
is no mean advocate. but then he has
the great advantage of many helps
and advisers. He is either a very
good and true man or a mounting
demagogue and a decided hypocrite.
He writes at the end-"Aiming only at
the public good, we can not err" Yet,
the means may be wrong and INSULT
cieRt. If politicians in places of pub
lie trust and responsibility were in
variably true and upright, and II they
aimed as Wolsey counselled Thomas
Cromwell to aim
BE Just and fear not:
Let all the ends thou aim'St at be