The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-02

waging war on the city and on our
troops lawfully there. In the discharge
OF his duty To maintain law and order.
certainly the president was justified I'm
suppressiAg these attacks. And. IL the
best means OF defense was. for the time
being. 10 assume the offensive after such
provocation, in order TO prevent further
attacks, he was justified in that.
"It seems 10 me that this Is the first
thing to be done. and this the admins
tration is endeayoring 10 do. Second,
to go on, through the Schurman peace
commission, as that commission is en-
deavorlng To do, and az speedily as pos
sible, get into communication with the
leading influences among the natives
and secure some adjustment. Mr..
Schurmans latt advices arc encourag-
ing In this respect.
THE third thing for the administra-
ton Is, while thus insuring order and
doing everything TO secure an adjust
ment with the natives. to wait the ac-
tion of ceAgress. which must determine
what the disposition of these islands is
10 be. My personal views are Of very
little consequence. but ! have already
expressed them To the effect that /
should be glad to'see every step taken
toward their ultimate self-government
as soon as they show their capacity for
II. and. as soon as there shall he proper
guarantees OF order and protection to
property and organization OF govern
ment i'm a stable manner.
You certainly may be sure OF one
thing, that the administration Is just as
humane and just as eager to do right as
any man or woman I'm Massachusetts,,
and that is the highest standard i know
OF on all this footstool. You may be sure
that IL has not the least idea Of putting
any shackle or fetter on any Filipino.
not so much as cotton twine string
around his ankles You may be sure
that IL is more eager TO stop bloodshed
and secure peace than you are. because
II has TO bear the responsibility. You
may be sure that IL will do everything
Ii can to carry the blessings OF our own
civilization To those islands of the sea,
and that its highest ambition will be full
filled II through its efforts the people
there emerging from The oppression and
darkness OF centuries shall come out into
the light Of the new world and be set
upon the way 10 the enjoyment Of the
same progress the same homes. the same
government. the same large, generous,
happy life which is now the heritage OF
every American citizen in whatever part
OF the great American Union he lives.
THAT Is the result which will ulti-
mately-some day--come. as sure as
fate. for civilization does not go back
ward. The only difference among us,
III A..
in which the thing shall be worked out.
The good news of the last few days.
with its promise OF pacification and ad-
justment upon the lines of an enlight-
ened and mutually helpful relation. is
the best justification OF his action and
the best answer TO any criticism OF his
policy or TO the charge that he has been
drifting without any policy at ALL In
his efforts, you men Of Essex-grand old
patriotic name-can hinder him or aid
him. You are free agents and have
the right to do as you please. You can
pelt him with brickbats. or you can give
him a cordial word and helping hand.
Which shall IL be?"
The next speaker was Lieutenant Com
mander Corwin +. Rees OF the Newport
torpedo station who on the memorable
day carried out the orders OF Admiral
Dewey as executive officer OF the flagship
Olympia. His speech complimented
President Mckinley and Secretary Long
for their able foresight i'm supplying
Dewey's feet with the necessary fighting
material. He said the battle was the
most daring in its execution OF this or
any other war. 1t seemed incompre-
hensible that an unarmored squadron
could dash through such a storm OF shot
and shell and emerge without the loss OF
ship. a man or meal. Never was there
such a lesson OF eternal vigilance so we'll
exemplifed.
No one ever asked or questioned which
vessel led the feet for one master mind
directed all. Dewey staked all because
he had confidence i'm American seamen.
Mr.. Rees closed his remarks by briefly
recounting the different events i'm the
battle as seen from the bridge OF the
Olympia. While his speech was ex-
tremely interesting and entertaining the
club listened even more intently To the
clear unvarnshed tale OF Captain
Wildes. who commanded the cruiser
Boston, and who read to the club his own
report of the fight. which report is now
among the files OF the navy department.
Captain Wildes did not attempt elo-
quence, but recountcd what the Boston
did from the time the fleet left Mrs hay
until IL anchored. victorious. before Ca
vite. shortly after noon. just one year
ago yesterday.
Commander Selfridge. who scrved. as
executive officer on board the monitor
Puritan during the blockade of the Gu
ban coast. rehesrsed = number of incl
dents connected with the battle OF Ma
tanzas. while Lieutenant Commander
Wilmer. who was on the Monadnock on
her voyage across the Pacific TO reinforce
Admiral Dewey, also related some in
terestiny Incidents IN Manila bay. The
other speakers OF the evening were
William n. Moody OF Ilaverhill and
William $. Knox OF Lawrence.
GEORGIA CHURCH DESIGNATED.
Atlanta. May 2.-The beautiful new
faba.pagla htiIf ltv Rey Dr T. a.