The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-15

ssNAroR sRAv oPfosED 70 TAKING THEM


Wilmington, psl, january il.-senatos
ceoree Gray was rendered oomplimenta-
~ dinner BY the local board Of trade OF
tAis city tonight President Mckinley, his
cabinet and ali the members Of the peace
commission sent regrets. There were tive
hundred guests In attendance,
Senator Gray was tho chief speake' OK
ths evening, and responded to the toast.
''cur guests OF honor He said In part:
I'VE are now In CRISIS Of our National
history, and your hearts and minds, as
patriotic citizens OF this great country,
are full OF anxiety as to the proper set
Element of the momentous issues which
have resulted from the war with Spain.
White our country was at war with Spain
we were ready to make, hope. every sac
rlnce to Insure the success OF American
arms and bring victory and honor to the
American nag and when tho war was over,
believe. the patriotic instinct OF Ameri-
can citizenship demanded. rs your presi-
dent enjoined upon us, that We would eN-
hibit magnanimity toward PROSTATE 100
and moderation In the hour of victory
as We had faced the war With steadfast-
ness and courage. In the first place,
want to say To you that II was my pleas
ure as we'll as what conceived my duty
to endeavor TO carry out this instruction,
so creditnblc to us as a nation and worthy
the high civilization Of which we propose
to be leaders.
THE acquisition OF territory by the
United States was not one of the objects
or war ana wo solemnly declared In tho
resolutions OF congress that our only OBJ
sIsl,. 81
the sovereignty OF Cuba by Spain was not
TO hole 1t ourselves, except that we might
pacify II and Mt II for clfgovernment by
its own people.
But in this as in all else, man proposes.
God dispoaes,' and 1t Is one OF the things
that maze thoughtful men desire to avoid
war where 1t can be avoided, for no one
can tell what Its consequences may be. L
ardently desire that we might escape the
necessity of talting the Philippine islands
and assuming the burden that their taking
Will impose upon us and know that the
president of tho United States was equally
anxious to the same end. But it became
apparent that without our doing unexpect-
ed conditions had been created and out
OF those conditions questionable duties had
sprung which could not be avoided or evad-
cd by the United States.
1T was argued that the performances of
that duty 10 some times not only unpleas-
ant but has dangers attendant upon 1t,
nevertheless a. brave man and brave Ma
tion will not shrink from II on that nc
count. On the other hand. II American
sentiment did not Justify the return Of
those islands to Spain, no more could IL
Justify leaving them derelict in the East
ern ocean. the prey OF the 6rst occupant
of European rapacity
The powers OF Europe would acquiesce
In our taking them, but they would not
stand by and see them In their heipIcss
nf m ,,itb
soiging the opportunity to aggrandiac
themselves. and so itwas thought best by
the president and his advisers TO take the
cession OF sovereignty from Spain and hold
II In trust to be administered In conformity
with those liberty loving traditions which
animated and glorlfy the history OF our
country. Duty can not honorably be
avoided because IL may bring pain or dan
ger or can responsibility always DO evad-
cd because OF It's burdens.
That ! sought In Paris by all honorable
means TO escape this responsibility does
hot now matter. II came to Il point Mt
least that we must either leave the islands
~ Spain, take thom as we did or break
OF negotiations, and come home without u
treaty OF peace. In the last event the
truce would be broken and state Of war
would have been resumed
What would have then been the ext
gency OF the situation? Undoubtedly we
would have been compelled to go on aud
seize with the strong hand and by mill
tary power both the Philippine archipelago
and the greater and lesser Antilles. tuking
by ruthless conquest what 1t was far bet
ter that we should take by the voluntary
cession OF a treaty OF peace,
Hut now that we have them Il does
not follow that We are committed TO
colonial policy or violation OF those great
principles Of liberty and self government
which must always remain American ideals
n our own free institutions are to endure,
NO country, and this country least OF
al. can AFFORD to trample on Its ideals I
have no fear that II viii do So Without
assuming for moment any right 10 sneak
Tor the president, think can assure you,
with some knowledge whereof speak that
ne fully appreciates the duties and respon-
sibiitttes OF the situation and that ht 4,
committed TO no policy calculated to dis
courage much less strike down, the aspi-
rAtions OF liberty to yindicate himself be-
fore the world
Ihe solutions OF the problems which
confront us Is not with the president
alone. When the treaty Is ratified no pol-
ICY can be adopted without the sanction Of
congress. And the whole American PEG
ple will determine, through their ronre-
sentafives what relations they shall sus-
tain TO the Philippines. Shall we hold tho
sovercignty In trust for their people. as
We viii do In Cuba or shall We. with their
consent establish protectorate over them
Aor govern them ms we Will the island OF
Porto Ricos All those important qucs-
uons VIII properly come up for determine.
Y ton after tho ratification OF the trouty,
u will not entertain The fear that Inc
Americans VIII not sts.ld by tho president
" ths declaration that they will not curb
TIE ambition Of territorial agg--ndisement
ond exhibit 70 the world an example OF
moderation, Justice and self restraint that
Ill pe worth 70 MS IN ~ raj strength more
E enAn n'i TIM Islands OF tho seas
Lake Charles Locals.
Is Lake Charles, La, January i4.--Judge 8.