The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-12-15

assume an attitude or suspicion and
hostility which the utmost efforts of
our officers and troops were unable to
disarm or modify Their kindness and
focbearance were taken rs proof Of
'oowardico. The expressions of the Fill.
| pinos continually increased until finally,
just before the time set by the senate of
| the. United s ates for vote upon tho
treaty. an attack, evidently prepared in
advance, was made all along the Amer.
| lean lines, which resulted in terribly
destructive and sanguinary repulse of
! tho rebels.
With devotion and gallantry worthy
OF its most brilliant history, the army.
ably and Loyalty assisted by the navy,
has carried on this unwelcome but most
righteous campaign with richly de-
served success. Although their opera
| tious have been somew hat in terrupted
and checked b. n rainy season of unu
| sual violence and duration, they have
gained steadily in every direction and
now look forward confidently 10 a speedy
com mpletion of their task
Every thing indicates that with the
speedy suppression of the Tagalo rebel.
lion, life in the archipelago will soon
resume its ordinary course under the
protection OF oCr sovereignty and the
people of those favored islands will en-.
joy prosperity and freedom which
they have never before known.
Cannot b. Abandoned.
The future government of the Philip.
pines rests with the congress of the
United States. Fower graver RESPONSE.
biiities have ever been confided to u.s.
If we accept them in IA spirit worthy OF
our race and our traditions q great op.
portunity comes with thom.
| The islands lilo under tho shelter Of
l<y, IL
of law and equity. They cannot be
abandoned Ii we desert them, we
leave them at once to anarchy and
finally to barbariSm. We fiing them, q
golden apple of discord, among tho rival
powers, no one of which could permit
another to seize them unquestloned.
Their rich plains and valleys would be
the scene of endless strife aud blood.
shed.
The advent of Dewey's fleet in Ma.
mia bay instead of being, as wo hope,
tho dawn Of a new day OF freedom and
progress. will havo b Ell tho beginning
of an era o; misery and violence worse
than any which has darkaned their un.
happy past.
The suggestion has been made that
we could renounce our authority over
the islands and giving them indepen-
dence could retain protectora;e over
them. This proposition will not be
found, am sure. wCrthy of your seri.
ous attention. Such an arrangement
would Involve at the outset a cruel
breach of faith. II would plaoe the
poaceab!o and loyal ma jor.ty, who ask
Tor nothing better than to accept our
authority, at the mercy OF the minority
armed insurgents.
1t would make US responsible for the
acts OF the lnSurgent leaders and give
us no power 10 control them. 1t would
charge US with the task of projecting
them against each other and defending
them against any foreign power with
which they chose to quarrel In short,
II would tako from the congress of the
United States tho power of declaring
war and vest that tremendous preroga.
tive in the Tagal leader of the hour
1t does not seem desirable that /
shepld recommend at this time a spe.
cific and final form OF government for
:iose is ands. When peace shall be re.
stored II viii be the duty of congress to
construct plan. of government which
Shall establish and mainta ain freedom
und order anu peace in the Philippines
The insurrection is still existing and
when it terminates further information
Will be requied as 10 the actual condi-
ton of affairs before inaugurating q
l..
Until congress shall have de known
tho formal expression Of its will. shall
use the authority vested i'll me by the
constitution and the statutes to uphold
the sovereignty of the United States i'll
those distant islands, as in all other
blaces where our flag rghtfully floats.
Our flag has never waived over any
community but in blessing. / believe
the Fillpinos will soon recognize tho
tact that il has not lost it's gift Of bene.
diction in this worldwide journey to
their shores.
Porto Rican Affairs.
recommend that legislation be had
with reference to the government Of
Porto Rico. The time is ripe for tho
adoption of temporary form Of gov.
ernment for this island.
IT Is desira ble that the government of
he island. under the law Of bsllgerens
right. now maintained through the eS
ecutive department. should DO super-
seeded by an administration entirely
civil in its nature For the present pur-
pose recommend that congress pass q
law for the organization Of q temporary
government which shall provide for the
appointment by the president, subject
70 confirmation by the senate, of gov
ernor and such other officers as the gen.
eral administration OF the island may
require and for legislative purposes, on
subjects OF local nature not partaking
of federal character.
legislative council. com posed partly
OF Porto Ricans and partly Of citizens
of the United States. shall be nominated
and appointed by the president.
Lynch Law Condemned.
The love Of law and the sense of obe-
uience and oubmlssion 10 the lnwfnllv
constituted judicial tribunals. are em.
oedded in the hearts of our people. and
any violation of thess sentiments and
disregard Of their obligations, Justly
arouses public condemnation. The
guarant tees Of life, liberty, and of civil