Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-09-05
The New Secretary Of War.


whole country. and the conviction is
everywhere growing that his selection
was a happy one. Mr.. Root has gone
about his work with the same skill and
aptitude, the same clear and ready
grasp of affairs. that have so distin-
guished him in the practice of his pro-
fession. He has spent his time chiefly
in conference with the chiefs of the
various bureaus, and the rapidity with
which he has absorbed the details of
his new position has been matter of
surprise to them all. 1t is evident that
the new secretary is not only an in
defatigable worker, whose watchword
is thoroughness, and who is not afraid
of detail. but also that he is very much
in earnest in his new work, and pur-
mei,t over which he presides in fact as
we'll as in name.
The promptness with which he has
pushed preparations for a vigorous fall
pines with plenty of men and ample
munitions, is very gratifying to the
country at large. There is no question
but what large majority of the
American people are behind the ad-
ministration in it's determination to
put down the Filipino insurrection as
speedily as possible. The masses in
this country are not only highly intelli-
gent, but they are close observers of
and reach their own conclusions The
attempt of a few un-American resi-
dents of this country to create the i'm
preston that the undisputed sway of
the United States in the Philippines
would mean an imperialstic tyranny.
is not only fallacy but it is an in
suit to the spirit and purpose of the
American people. Those men who
have no faith in the integrity and hu-
manity of the citizens of this republic.
who control its destiny and determine
its policies, are certainly not safe ones
to tie to. There is nothing surprising
in the fact that the influence of such
doubters is. and has always beens ex-
ceedingly limited. Like a few grass
hoppers in the corner of the fence they
have filed the political field with their
chirpirGs, ,ybut have never countsf for
much atthe polls. ~ u saCS
Upon the general question as to the
advisa bility of acquiring the Philip
pines from Spain there was an honest
difference of opinion among men
whose conceded patriotism and in
tegrity of purpose gave great weight
to their views. Their opinions. how
ever, did not prevail. The Philippines
We're acquired. The world has since
recognized the fact that they were
American territory, ard under the
American flag. The old question there
fore, does not exist The future NAV
possibly raise new ones, but it is never
wise to cross any bridges until we get
to them. The problem that immedi-
ately confronts us is the putting down
of a rebellion against American au-
thority, on soil that the whole civilized
world recognizes as ours, and over
which floats the Stars and Stripes.
This rebellion is headed by a cruel and
crafty half breed whose whole aim and
purpose is the establishing of a die
tatorship with himself in control.
This rebellion must and will be sub
dued. Upon that point there is sub
stantial unanimity among the people of
this country. A few traitors of the
Afkins2n. and Garrison stripe still yelp
al. h& heels of the American forces
and pray for the success of Aguinaldo.
They are so very few, however, as to
excite only contempt. nor is there any
apprehension of a favorable answer to
their prayers. Destiny carried our flag
into the East, and Destiny will keep
ittfhere. When the Filipinos submit
to American authority, they will be
given as much freedom as any of us
enjoy. More than that no man could
reasonably ask for.
The, =. nnanimity with which the
American people support the admins
tratiOn in it's efforts to suppress
Agntnaldo and his misguided follow
ers, is evidepced by the very general
commendation of the comprehensive
plans Of the war department for vigor-
Gus .ansi"effective field work in the an
preaching campaign, and the rapidity
with which enlistments have been
made forTthe new regiments which are
TO be sent to the Philippines.
1t. is evident that results are to no
held as the. measure of success. The
narrowness of individuals will not be
allowed to impede the march of events
neither will professional iealousies,,
be permitted to interfere with that CO.
operation essential to success. We
nave always felt that any man who
was not able to rise above the netti-