Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-12-14
FUTURE GOVERNMENT.
This Matter Is Transferred to the
Hands of Congress-.

HANDS Oh COnSEess.
EVERYTHING Indicates that with the speedy
suppression of the Tagalo rebellion life IN tne
archipelago will soon resume its ordinary
and the people Of those favored islands will
enjoy prosperity and freedom wh h,,nf tpds
have never before known alrean iih ehldren.
Religious freedom is sacrediy assured AN. anu
enjoyed. The courts are dispensing 3u Jus, &c.
Business is beginning to circulate IN us a.
customed channels. Manila, whose inhapltanes
were fleeing to the country few months ago.
is now a populous and thriving mart ol con-,
merce The earnest and unremtting endeaNors
Of the commission and the admiral anu li'a ,t,
Pacifc to assure the people Of the benefcent
intentions of this government nave hiiu .iie.l
legitimate effect in conyineng me srasperity
and stable government can only be louhu M
The Authority of the United States.
The future government of the philippines
rests with the congress OF the United s'd hean
Few gTayer p M aaoent n them in spirit
worthy of race and our traditions great
opPersunity cones liz, with n them the shelter
of our flag. They are ours by every
title of law and equity. They can
not be abandoned. If we desert them
we leave them at once to anarchy
and finally to barbnrism. we Hing
them, golden apple of discoro,
among the rival powers. no one OF
which could permit another 10 seize
them unquestiOncd.
Their rich plains and valleys would be me me
scene of endless strife and S!o9dshea. d ns
advent of Dewey's feet in Manila al pay u 'ns, new
day Of freedom and progress, will have been
the beginning Of era Of msels ho their nn
happy past. The suggestion has been Iis t
that we could renounce our authority over tNe
This proposition will not be founo'
I am sure, worthy of your serious
attention. Such an arrangement
would involve at the outset u cruel
breach of faith.
It would place the peaceaele and loyal ma
jorty who ask nothing better than TO &C
cept our authority at the mercy OF the minority
of armed insurgents It wv wou maze ,e us
and give us no power to control them. II
would charge us with the task Of protecting elal
them against each other and defending them
against any foreign power with when l tney
chose to quarrel. In short, it would take from
the congress of the United States the power
Of declaring war and vest that tremendous
prerogative in the legal leader of the hour.
It does not seem desirable that should rec
of government for these islands. When peace
snail be restored it will be the duty OF con-
gress c.
which shall establish and maintain freedom
and order and peace in the Philippines, The
| instruction is still existing, and when it ter,
inmates further information will be required
as to the actual condition of affairs before
now in preparation will contain information
-lIlment The full report of the commission
and suggestions which will be Of value to
congress and which l will transmit as soon
as it is completed. AS long as the instruction
continues. the military arm must necessarily
be supreme. But there Is no reason uhv steps
should not be taken from time t, time to in
| augurate governments essentially popular in
their form as fast as they are held or con-
tr9ed by our 10 th 45 END rstn am of fhe
commission, or such of the members thereof
as be secured, to aid the existing; author
islands. I have beli,.ved tat reconstruction
should not begin by the establishment of one
it's seat at Manila. but rather that the work
should be commenced from the bottom and
municipal governments and then provincial
governments, a central government to last fol-
Until congress shall make known
| the formal expression of its will,
| I shall use the authority vested In
me by the constitution and the stat
utes to uphold the sovereignty of
the United States i'll those distant
| islands rs in all other places where
our flag rightfully floats.
| I shall put at the disposal of the army and
| navy all the which the liberality of
| congress and the people have provided to
| cause this unprovoked and wasteful insurrec-
tion to caese If any orders Of mine were r., re-
tary and naval operations they would not be
| lacking; but every step Of the progress OF
| the troops has been marked by a humanity
| which has surprised even the misguided insur-
gents. The truest kindness to them will be
| a swift and effective defeat of their present
| leader.
| The hour of victory will be the
hour of clemency and recOnstruc-
| ton.
| No effort will be spared to build up the
waste places desolated by and by long
years Of misgovernment. We shall not wait
| for the end of strife to begin the benefcent
| 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 agriculture. AID in every way In
dence has brought within our jurisdiction feel
that it is their liberty and not our power over
| ing to enhance. Our nag has never waved
over any community but in blessing. I be-
| leve the Fiipinos will soon recognize the