Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-05-26

At the big patriotic meeting in Min
neapolis Il few days ago, among the
speakers was Hon. Geo p. Elannery,
formerly of this city. Judge Flannery
made one Of the best addresses of the
occasion and in his discussion of the
Philippine question, said in part:
ut was not until after the battles
on land and sea- had been fought and
won that Il few c%minently respectable
people became solicitiOus lest the gov
should decide to hold the
Philippine islands as Il part OF this
country. They appealed to the consti-
tuition, and told us that they could
find no authority there for such Il step.
This argument proved futile, and so
was quickly abandoned. They car
ricd the fight into the United States
senate: and there they also failed of
their purpose. Today, however, even
after the treaty of peace has been
signed and Spain formally relinquished
the islands, these people Still insist
that the United States has no right to
assume sovereignty.
They attempt to fOrtify themselves
behind what they are pleased to term
the teachings of the fathers. They
have wen gone so far as to compare
these semi-civiliZed savages with the
patriots OF our own country who
fought in the revolutionary war, and
achieved for us our independence.
NO II can Say-and feel positive
that he is right-wlat should be the
future curse OF the government with
reference to the Philippines, but the
great majority of the people will, 1
am stlre, agree that the nation should
exert I'LL of its power to crush armed
resistance. The United States owes
it to itself; owes it to the other civilized
nations of the world, to establish in
the Philippines a safe and stable gov
eminent. How that can best be done
no one can say.
II myself, believe that the natives
Of the Philippines will be greatly ben
Gifted if they shall become a part of
the United States government. I be-
lieve that because l know that this is
the greatest government existing today
on the face of the earth. l am not
of those who are frightened by the
ghost of Imperialism and expansion;
nor an l of the opinion that the gov
eminent should be ruled or governed
by the utterances of men who lived
100 years ago great applausc). Be
cause ! know that in their widest
dreams they ncve fOresaw the great
and demonstrating destiny awaiting
the government they had created.
Already we have been compelled to
add fifteen amendments to the cOnsti-
tuition, and ! know that others will be
necessary. Moreover. think that we
have lived to little purpose as a nation
if we cannot meet the difficulties aris-
ing in our path. and do what is neces-
sary to be done.
IF. after the armed opposition to
the government of the United States
in the Philippines shall have been sub.
dued and a government established
giving to the natives the greatest
amount Of freedom compatible with
safety: if. then. the necessities should
demand that the United States stay
there. l. for one. will say, Let us stay
there forever But if. on the Other
hand. it shall appear for the best in.
tcrestS both of this government and
of the Philippines that they should sep.
arate. then I will raise my voice in
behalf Of that separation. because !
believe in the hcttcrmcnt Of humanity
the world over. That is something
for the future to decide: but at present
it is the plain duty Of the government
to maintain itself ut all hazards"
At the conclusion of his address.
Judge Flanncry was rendered a viz
tual ovation. The vast audience rose
and chcercd and cheercd again.