Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1899-02-17

the United States. Could we have re-
quired less and done our duty7 Could
we. after freeing the Philippines from
the domination OF spain. have left them
without government. without power 10
protect life and property or 10 perform
tho international obligations essential
TO free atatci Could we have left
them IN state OF anarchy and justl-
fed ourselves In our own. conscienccs
or before the tribunal Of mankind7
Could we have done that In the sight OF
God and mani
CONCERN FOR THE PEOPLE.
our concern was not for territory or
trade or empire. but for the people
whose interests and destiny, without
hands. II was with this feeling that
from the FIRST day TO the last not one
word or line went from the executive
In Washington to our military and ma
val commanders at Muniln. or to the
peace commissioners at Paris that did
not put nH the sole purpose 20 be kept
In mind first. after the success OF our
arms and the maintenance Of our own
honor. the welfare and happincsa and
the rights OF the Inhabitants Of the
Philippine Islands. Did We need their
consent TO perform n great act for
humanity We had II In every napirn-
ton OF their minds. In every hope Of
their hearts. Was u necessary to ask
their consent 20 capture Manila. the
capital OF their islands7 Did we ask
their consent 20 llberatc them from
spanish sovereignty or to enter into
Manila bay and destroy the spanish
sea power thcrcf We did not ask
these. we were obcyinR higher moral
| obligation which fcstcd on US and
which did not require nnyhpdy'a con-
| sent. We were doing our duty by
thcm as God gave us tho light TO see
| condolences and with the approval ot
civil action. Every present obligation
| has been met AMI fulfilled In the cN-
pulsion Of Spanish sovereignty IN their
| islands. and while the war that de-
stroycd II was In progrcan we could not
ask their Views. Nor can We now ask
| their consent. Indeed can any one tell
me In what form It could be mafahallcd
and asccrtalned until peace and order.
| 10 necessary TO rcign " reason. shall
be secured and established
a rcign OF terror N not tho kind OF
rule under which the right action and
| deliberate Judgment are possible. II IL
not n good time for tho iihcrntor to
submit important questions concerning
liberty and government TO the liberated
while they are engaged IN shooting
down their rcscucrHi
We have now ended the war with
| spain. Tho treaty has been ratified by
II
the United states ana by the Judgment
Of nine tcnthn OF It's people. No nation
| was ever more fortunate IN war or
more honorable In negotiations In
peace. spain IL now eliminated from
the problem. II remains TO ask what
we shall do now. do not intrudc upon
| the duties Of Congress or seek to an
| tlcipate or forcatall itH action. I only
i say that the treaty of peace. honorably
secured. having been ratified by the
United stntcr. and. NJ we confidently
expect. shortly 10 be ratified IN Spain,
| Congress viii have the power, and
am sure the purpose, TO do what IN
good morals II right and Just and
humane for these peoples In distant
aoan.
II II sometimes hard to determine
| what in best to do. and the best thirg
60 do " oftcntimcs the hardest. The
prophet OF evil would do nothing. be-
cause he fiinchca nj sacrifice and cf-
fort. and TO do nothing N easiest and
involves the least cost. ON those who
have things TO do there rests re-
HponHlhiiity which In not on those who
have no obligations ns docrn.
n the doubtcrr were In a majority.
there would. II II true. bc no labor. no
sacrifice. no anxiety mud no burden
raised or carried; no contribution from
our ease and purse and comfort to the
welfare Of others. or even TO the extern
sion Of our resources Ia the welfare Of
ourselves. There would be ease. but
alas. there would be nothing done.
hut grave problems come In the life
OF nation, however much men may
seek 90 avoid them. They come with
out our seeking. Why. we do not know,
and II IL not always given Us TO know
hut the generation on which they arr
forced cannot avoid the responsibility
OF honestly striving for their solution
We may no know precisely how IN
solve them, but We can mako an hon
est effort 90 that end. and n made In
conscience. Justice and honor. II Will
| not be IN vain.
The future of the Philippine islands
II now IN the hands OF the American
people. tintil the treaty was ratified
or rejected the executive department Of
this government, could only preserve
the peace and protect life and property,
| That treaty now commits the free aud
enfrnnchiscd FilipinoH TO the guiding
hand and the llbcrallxing influences,
the generous sympa,hlca, the uplifting
education. not Of their American mas.
tiers, but OF their American enamel
patora. No one can tcll today what II
best for them or for U.S. I know no
one al this hour who IN wise enough OF
sufficiently Informed to determine what
form of government win best Hubaerye
1 their interests hNu our inttftrtH. tntlf
and our weil-bclng. n We knew every
thing by intuitlon-nnd sometimes
think there are those who hslleve thni
N we do not. they dove should not
need information. but. unfortunately
most Of ua are not In that happy state
The whole subject N now with Con.
greaH, and Congress II the voice. the
conscience and the judgment OF the
American people Upon their judg.
ment and conscience can we not rely
I believe In them; ! trust them.
/ know Of no better or safer human tri-
bunni than the people.
Until Congress shall direct otherwise
n Will be the duty OF the executive "a
POSSESS and hold the Philippines. civ.
ing to the people thereof peace and
henefcent government, anording them
every opportunity to prosecute their
lawful pursuits. encouraging them In
thrift ana Industry, making them fee
and know we are their friends. not theli
enemies, that their good II our aim
that their welfare II our welfare. hui
that neither their aspirations nor our,
can be realized until our authority Il
Acknowledged and unquestioned.
That the inhabitants OF the Philip
pines will be benefited by this Ropub
lie IL my mistaken belief. that they vii
have u kindler government under oul
guidance and that they win be aided IL
every possible way 10 be self-reHpeot'
ing and Helf-gnverning people Is as tru,
as that the American people love liber,
~ and have an abiding faith In theii
own government and their own inati'
tutionH.