Omaha daily bee., 1899-05-08
DUTIES OF A GREAT NATION
Three Mass Meetings in Chicago Discuss
Americas Colonial Policy,
COURSE OF ADMINISTRATION IS UPHELD
Resolutions Urge that Philippines
Must He Left Neither to Anarchy or
Selfish Ambition - Rebels
Death EJict Read.

CHICAGO, May Three big mass meet
ings were held in Chicago today to voice
approval Of the policy of the administration
with reference to the Philippine islands and
to protest against the sentiments expressed
last Sunday at the "ant-expansion" meet
ing in Central Music hall. Todays meetings
were held in the Auditorium, Central Music
hall and the First Methodist church, and
in spite of the inclement weather the ag-
gregate of attendance was probably 10000
The presiding officers of the three meet
ings were Judge Oliver II, Horton, ex
Judge John Barton Payne and Thomas b.
Bryan. At the Auditorium, as at the other
two gatherings every mention of President
Mckinley or Admiral Dewey brought forth
thunderous applause. The speakers at the
Auditorium were William Dudley Foulke of
Indiana, Bishop Fallows, Congressman jon
athan F. Dollver of Iowa, eX-Congresman
George e. Adams, Judge Richard s. Tuthill
and Rev. Dr. p. S. Henson. Most of these
spoke at the other meetings. The following
resolutions were read by General John Black
and adopted unanimously at all of the meet
ings:
First-We recognize that a condition of
war prevails in the Philippine Islands be-
tween the government of the United States
and certain men who are in insurrection
against the lawful authority of the United
States. We believe that such condition of
insurrection has arisen from course OF
events which when once instituted has
moved in Irresistible sequence to the present
situation-that this course of events began
with the barbarities practced by the Span
ish government toward the inhabitants OF
the Island of Cuba These barabarities were
continued by the Spanish authorities in spite
of our protestations and entreaties through
series of years for an amelioration OF
these dreadful conditions, and finally cul-
minated in the destruction of our war YES
sell the Maine in the harbor of Havana.
Every step which followed has been inevita-
BILE sequent of the preceding events-war
between the two nations, the success of
American arms and the consequences which
attach to the conquest of an armed foe.
Among these consequences were the occupa-
tion Of the Philippine Islands by the Ameri-
can naval and military forces, and the sub
stitution during the remainder of the war
Of sovereignty of the conquered.
In the Philippine Islands, with the excep-
tion of single year. Spanish sovereignty
has been complete since the sixteenth CEN
tury. Spain collected the taxes, held the
Notifications, appointed all the civil officers;
Spanish viceroys, Spanish judges, Spanish
courts administered the laws which were
proclaimed by the Spanish governorment and
enforced by the Spanish army and navy.
The sudden destruction of this sovereignty
compelled the substitution Of the sover
eighty of the conqueror. No other govern
ment in the archipelago was competent to
receive the authority surrendered by Spain. |
Our government had to accept and assume |
the responsibilities of the situation and eX-
ecute the duties devolved upon it by the |
change in the administration of the laws. |
The only alternative was to surrender the |
islands to anarchy or to foreign and selfish |
Neither course was COM
patible with duty or with the dictates of |
humanity. Therefore after the conquest in |
the harbor of Manila it was incumbent on |
our government to protect life and property |
throughout the archipelago.
American Provocntion.
We regocnze and declare the facts to be |
that from August 13, 1898, until February A, |
1899, peace prevailed in Manila under the |
protection of American arms-that on the |
day last named an insurgent force assailed |
our army in its Notifications and encamp- |
ments under the cover Of darkness-and by |
this act of aggression inaugurated hostili-
ties, the first result of which intended |
to be wholesale massacre and the destruc-
tion of property within the city.
We recite with sorrow the fact that the
chief encouragement extended to the rebels
has been from some of our misguided fell
low citizens and to them must be ascribed |
much of the bloodshed and ruin which has
We further declare that the government of
the United States has sought in every honor
able way to secure cessation of hoStilitieS,
as evinced by the appointment of a COM
mission fully authorized to treat with the
insurgents and to offer them peace and
amnesty and by the action of our military
and naval authorities who have at all times
been ready to protect those who would sur
render their arms and cease their warfare
against the government of the United
States.
We point to the fact that these efforts of
peace have been contumaciously rejected by
the insurgents until it became manifest even
to them that they were wagng hopeless
war
Second-We declare our belief in the high
honor and just action of our army and navy
in the Philippine islands. We believe that
our government has taken every step that
IL should take to secure peace and order
We believe that the administration repre-
senting the government has highly and fully
discharged its duty in the premises. We
consider it our part to share the burdens
of our government rather than TO embarrass
its efforts and thus prolong the conflict OF
arms.
Third-We know that at this very hour
our soldiers in arms are face to face with an
armed foe and until the close of hostilities
we know only our country, its army and
navy and its executive. We pledge to them
our flag shall be in battle our unfaltering
support
Fourth-We, as Americans, take pride in
the achievement of our army and navy, both
in the war with Spain and in the present
military operations in the island of Luzon.
The heroism of officers and men alike has
shed renewed lustre on American arms. The
cause in which they have fought was and is
a just one. They are fighting for the
escurity of the lives of peaceable non-com
batants throughout the archipelago and in
Just reprisal for an unprovoked attack. We
believe that the sending OF seditious appeals
to the American troops engaged in hostili-
ties is an act of reasonable character and
that every appeal to them to abandon their
colors or disregard their duty as soldiers
merits the lasting condemnation of every
patriot.
Fifth-The government OF the United
states should be and we believe will be true
to Its principles in the disposition of all
questions that may arise in the future in
our relationship with the people OF the
Philippine islands.
SiXth-We regard the great issue of the !
hour to be the success of our country in the
performance OF the duty which It owes to
civilization, Until this is assured-untu
armed insurrection has ceased-we have no
erms to offer but the American terms of |
surrender.
Death 10 Foreigners.
Letters of regret were read from Judge
lambert Tree, Rev. Dr. Lyman Abbott and
Dr.. e. Benjamin Andrews. In connection
With DR.. Abbotts letter OF regret, Judge {
" A-fa k.-F.. i