Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-12-14

ginning To circulate in its accustomed channels.
Manila whose inhabitants were fleeing 20 tbs
fountrv a few months ago, is now populous
and thriving mart OF commerce. The earnest
and unremitting endeavors Of the commission
and the admiral and major general cornmano- :
ing the department. OF the racine 60 assure o-AS
people of the benehcent intentions OF this gov
eminent. have had their legitimate erect IN
convincing the great mass Of them that peace
and safety and prosperity and stable govern
ment can only be found in loyal acceptance OF
the authority of the United States.
The future government of the Philippines
rests with the congress OF the United states
Few graver responsibilities have ever been
confded to US. II we accept them in a spirit
worthy of our race and our traditions, q greas
opportunity comes with them The islands lie
under the shelter OF our nag. They are ours pE
every title of law and equity. They cannot
be abandoned. If we desert them we leave
them at once to anarchy and finally to barbar-
ism. We fling them golden apple OF diSccTd,
among the rival powers, no one OF which could
permit another to seize them unquestioaed.
Their rich plains and valleys would be the
the scene Of endless strife and bloodshed. The
advent of Dewey's feet in Manila bay instead
of being we hope, the dawn of new day OF
freedom and progress viii have been the begin
ming of era OF misery and violence WORSE
than any which has darkened their unhappy
past. The suggestion has been made that We
could renounce our authority over the islands
and give them independence could retain pro-
tectorate over them. This proposition will not
be found, am sure, worthy of your serious at
IGNITION. Sucn arrangement would involve
at the outset a cruel breach of faith. Tt would
place the peaceabie and majority, who ask MOTH
ing better than to accept our authority, at the
mercy OF armed insurgents 1t would make
responsible for the acts of the insurgent leaders
and give power to control them 1t would
charge US with the task of protecting them
against each other. and defending them against
any foreign power with which they chose to
quarrel In short it would take from the
gress of the United States the power of declar-
ing war and vest that tremendous prerogative
in the TagalO leader of the hour
1t does not seem desirable that should rec
ommend at this time specific and final form
of government for these islands When peace
shall be restored it will be the duty of congress
to construct Il plan OF government which shall
establish and maintain freedom and order and
peace in the Philippines The insurrection is
still existing and when it terminates further in
formation will be required to the actual con-
dition of affairs before inaugurating a perma-
nent scheme of civil government. The full re-
port of the commission now in preparation,
will contain information and suggeS lions which
will be OF value to congress and which 1 viii
transmit as soon as it is completed.
AS long as the Instruction continues the mill
itary arm must necessarily be supreme. But
there is no reason why steps should not be taken
from time to time to inaugurate governments
essentially popular in their form as fast as ter
ritory is held controlled by our troops To
this end am considering the advisability of
the return of the commission, such of the
members thereof as can be secured, to aid the
existing authorities and facilitate this work
L
reconstruction should not begin by the estab-
Ishment of one central civil government for all
the islands with its seat at Manila, but rather
that the work should be commenced by building
up from the bottom, first establishing munici-
pal governments and then provincial govern
ments, central government at last to follow.
Until congress shall have made known the
formal expression of its will 1 shall use the
thority vested in me by the constitution and the
statutes to uphold the sovereignty of the United
States in those distant islands and in all other
places where our flag rightfully floats
1Shan put at the disposal OF the army ana
navy all the means which the fberality of
gress and the people have provided to cause
this unprovolzed and wasteful insurreetio to
cease. If. any orders of mine were required to
insure the merciful conduct of military and
naval operations they would not be lacking;
but every step of the progress of our troops has
been marked by a humanity which has sur
prised even the misguided insurgents. The
truest kindness to them will be swift and eff
fective defeat of their present leader. The
hour of victory will be an hour OF clemency and
reconstruction.
No effort will be made to build up the waste
places deso1ated by and long years of mis-
government. We shall not wait for the end OF
the strife to begin the beneAcent work. We
shall continue, as we have begun, to open the
schools and the churches, to set the courts in
operation, to foster industry and trade and ag-
riculture and in every way in power to
make these people whom Providence has
brought within our jurisdiction feel that it is
their liberty and not power, their welfare
ana not our gain tnaG we are seeking 20
enhance. Our flag has meyer waved over any
community but in blessing. believe the Fill
pinos will soon recognize the fact that it has
not lost its gift OF benediction in its worldwide
journey to their shores.
recommendation for Porto Rico.
The system of civil Jurisprudence now adopted
by the people OF Porto Rico is described by
competent lawyers who are familiar with it as
thoroughly modern and scientific, far as it re-
lates to matters of internal business, trade
production and social and private rights in gem
eraL The cities of the island are governed I'M
der charters which probably require very little
or no change. So that with relation to matters
of local concern and private right it is not
probable that much if any legislation is desir-
able; but with reference to public administra-
ton and the relations Of the islands to the fed
eral government there are many matters which
are OF pressing urgency.
1t is desirable that the government OF the is
land under the law OF belligerent right now
maintained through the executive department..
should be superseded by an administration en-
tireiy civil in its nature. For present purposes
recommend that congress pass a law for the
organization OF temporary government which
shall provide for the appointment by the presi-
dent, subject to confirmation by the senate of a
governor and such other officers as the general
administration OF the island may require, and
that for legislative purposes subjects of a To-
cal nature, not partaking Of federal character.
legislative council composed partly of Porto
Ricans and partly OF citizens of the United
States. shall be nominated and appointed by
the president, subject to confirmation by the
senate. In the municipalities and other local
subdivisions recommend that the principle
OF seif-government be applied at once so as 70
enable the intelligent citizens of the island to
participate in their own government and to
learn by practical experience the duties and re-
quirements OF self-contained and self-goy-
erning people.
The fundamental requirement. for these peo-
pie. as for all people, is education. Sys-
TENS OF education in these new possessions
founded on common sense methods adapted to
existing conditions and looking to the future
movement and Industrial advancement OF thu
people, will commend to them in a peculiarly
effective manner the blessings OF free govern
ment.