The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-12-06
ARTHUR ROPES, General Ed,toI.
The Fifty-Sixth Congress.

a new Congress meets to-day. AS
mark of respect to the memory of the
man who had filed the office Of Vice
President with rare distinction and
who, as man and citizen, by his
varied abilities and high character, had
won the respect and affections of his
countrymen, the Senate and House adj
jJurned for the day.
The assembling of Congress is always
an interesting event. When, two
years ago, the fifty-ftth Congress met,
the clouds of an inevitable conflict with
Spain darkened the horizon. During
that Congress- existence, the storm
broke. 1t was short but fierce, and the
body that had declared war made
peace, also. No sooner had the sun
light dawned than the Filipino insur-
rection came to renew condition OF
war. The years of the last Congress
were among the most eventful in the
history of the United States. During
that period the government conducted
one war to brilliant termination, car
ried its boundaries to the Caribbean on
the south and pushed them across the
Pacific, first to. Hawaii, then to Guam
aud to the Philippine islands. When
that Congress expired it was graphing
with armed rebellion in the govern
ment's new possessions in the East.
When the Fifty-Sixth Congress
meets it finds the instruction in the
east in the final stages of dissolution. 1t
fluids new empire practically ready
and waiting for the government it is
the business of Congress to provide. 1t
fluids great stores of ripened informa-
ton, gathered by minds and hands the
most competent to enlighten and assist
the law makers in the difficult task that
confronts them. Happily events have
removed one element of dscord. No
question can arise as the disposition to
be made of the possessions surrendered
by Spain in the East. If there was ever
any question of this kind, in any ration
al mind, the people have decided that
matter. The islands are ours to keep,
govern, develop and lift to the rank of
civilized, governing communities,
under the directing and controlling
power of this government. The duty of
this Congress is to direct its wisdom and
energies at once to the task Of provid-
ing for the government of the islands,
guided by the light its members pos
sess and the lamps that will be trimmed
to illumine their way. Any man who
seeks to divert Congress from the d.
rect and immediate performance of a
plain duty, or to obstruct in the per-
Torrance of its duty, is--to put it mild
ly-no good citizen or true patriot, or
real friend of mankind.
Next to affairs in the Philippines,
questions pertaining to the discharge
of the governments duty and the per-
Torrance of its obligations in respect
Of Cuba are of interest and importance.
The work of restoring order and pros
perity in that stricken island happily
has not been interrupted by war or &C.
rious disturbance, yet the way of deal
with dangers and embarrassed by con-
siderations of very delicate character
which do not pertain TO the Philip
pines. In certain respects the Cuban
question is the more difficult of the
two. The United States will be bound
by its pledges not to depart from the
island till good order and a stable gov
eminent are firmly established equally
with its obligation to turn the island
over to the inhabitants when it is rea-
sonably clear that these prime objects
Of the war with Spain and American
occupation have been accomplished.
The task of the government in respect
of Cuba is one of extreme delicacy, and
Congress may make or mar, by wis
dom or folly, the interests of humanity
in that part of Spain's former posses
sions.
Whatever other matters of vital ma
tional concern may come before this
Congress, the Philippines and Cuba,
questions pertaining to expansion, to
imperialism, directly like the govern
ing of the new regions, indirectly like
the increase of the army and navy, for
tidcation, development and improve
ment, provision of lines of direct COM
munication, etc., will have the front
rank in that body itself and in the pub
lie discussion.
A very important session of Congress
has begun. Its predecessor plowed
and planted, itself must cultivate, and
,N,nu uaauar ri ua tho inoraaoa