El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-05
THE NATIONS Will
Reflected In His. Clear And
Comprehensive Treat
ment Of the Questions
Before the People


got down to business at noon today.
The attendance was not large when
the session began, as not many cared
to hear the minutes and the president's
message read. The committee which
had waited on the president, Messrs
Cannon, Payne and Rich ardson report
ed the message ready. The next mo-
ment it was presented by the presi'
dents special messenger, Major Pru-
den. The contested election cases we're
then assigned to committe and the
reading of the message began at 1918.
THE PHILIPPINES.
The closing paragraphs of the mes
sage, containing recommendations
with regard to the Philippines, are OF
particular interest. They follow:
The president declares that the war
with Spain was necessary and its re-
suits have been satisfactory. He says
there are now 60, 600 American soldiers
in the Philippines and adds: Article
10 provides that any slave in the
archipelago of Jolo shall have the
right to purchase his freedom by pay
value. The agreement by General
Bates was made subject to confrma
tion by the president and to future mo-
difcations by the consent of the parties
in interest. I have confirmed said
agreement, subject to. the action OF
congress with reservation, which 1
have directed shall be communicated
- Ill Lok T.,
meut 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
communicate these facts to congress
for its Information and action.
Everything indicates that with the
speedy suppression of the Tagalo re-
bellion, life in the archipelago will
soon resume its ordinary course under
the protection of our sovereignty. and
the people of those islands will enjoy
and freedom which they
have never before known. Already
hundreds of schools are opened and
filled with children. Religious free
dom is sacredly assured and enjoyed.
The. courts are dispensing justice.
Business ia beginning to circulate in
its accustomed channels.
THE CHANGE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Manila, whose inhabitants were dee
ing to the country few months ago,
is now a populods and thriving mart OF
commerce. The earnest snd unremit-
ting endeavors OF the commission, the
ad miral and the maj or general COM
the department of the Paci-
fic, to.assure the people of the benef-
icent intentions of this government,
have had their legitimate effect in con-
vincing the great mass that. peace,
safety, prosperity and stable govern
ment can only be found ina loyal &C.
ceptance of the authority of.the United
5sates.
The future government .of the Phil
ippines rests with the congress of the
United States. Few graver respon-l
,ibilities have ever been con6ded to
Us. If we accept them in a spirit
worthy of our race and our traditions,
3 great opportunity comes with them.
The islands lie under the shelter of our
lag. They are ours by every title of
law and equity. They cannot be
Abandoned If We desert them we
leave them at once to anarchy, and fin
ally to barbarism: we fling them, a
golden apple of discord, among rival
powers, no one of which could. permit |
another to seize them unquestioned. |
Their rich plains and valleys would be |
the scene of endless strife and blood |
shed. The advent of Dewey's fleet in
Manila bay, instead of being. as we
hope, the dawn of new day of free |
dom and progress, would have been
the beginning of an era of misery and |
violence worse than any which has |
dsrkened their unhappy past.
FAvORS NO PROTECTORATE.
The suggestion has been made that |