The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-21

sibility. Even il we had, as we die
not have, the power to compel such q
transfer, it could not have been made
without the most serious international
i complications.
Such a course could not be though,
of. And yet, had we refused to accept
the cession Of them, we should have
had no power over them, even for thei,
own good. We could not discharge the
responsibilities upon us until these
islands became ours either by conquest
or treaty. There was but one alter.
native, and that was, either Spain CT
the United States in the Philippines.
did we need their consent to per-
form great act for humanity? We
had it in every aspiration of their
minds, in every hope Of their hearts.
Was it necessary to ask their consent
Ito capture Manila, the capital of their
islands? Did we ask their consent to
liberate them from Spanish sovereignty
or to enter Manila bay and destroy the
Spanish sea power there?
"We did not ask these: we were
obeying higher moral obligation
which rested on us and which did not
require ybody's consent. We were
doing our duty by them. as God gave
us light to see our duty. with the con-
sent OF our own consciences and with
the approval Of civilization.
| Every present obligation has been
met and fulfilled in the expulsion of
| Spanish sovereignty from their islands
and while the war that destroyed it
was in progress we could hot ask their
views. Nor could we now ask their
consent.
Indeed, can anyone tell me in what
form it could be marshalled and ascer-
tained, until peace and order, SO neces-
sary to reign of reason, shall be secured
and established? A reign of terror is
not the kind Of rule under which the
right action and deliberate Judgment
are possible.
1T is not good time for a liberator
to submit important questions concern
ing liberty and government to the lib
Grated while they are engaged in shoot
ing down their rescuers. We have now
ended the war with Spain The treaty
has been ratified by more than two
thirds of the senate of the United
States and by the Judgment of nine
tenths of it's people.
No nation was ever more fortunate
in war or more honorable in negotia-
tions Of peace. Spain is now eliminat-
ed from the problem. 1t remains to
ask what shall we do now, do not
intrude upon the duties of congress or
seek to anticipate or forestall its ac-
tions. [ only say that the treaty of
peace. honorably secured, having been
ratified by the United States, and, as
we confidently expect. shortly to be
ratified BY Spain, congress will have
the power, and I am sure the purpose,
to do what in good morals is right and
just and humane for these peoples in
distant seas.
It is sometimes hard to determine
what is best to do, and the best thing
to do is oftelltimes the hardest. The
prophet of evil would do nothing be-
cause he finches at sacrifices and effort,
and to do nothing is easiest and in
wolves the least cost. On those who
have things to do there rests RESPONSE
bility which is not on those who have
no obligation as doers.
If the doubters were in majority
there would, it is true, be no labor, no
sacrifice. no anxiety and 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 to the welfare of |
ourselves.
There would be ease. but, alas
There would be nothing else. But |
grave problems come in the life of a |
nation, however much men may seek to
avoid them. They come without our
seeking, why, we do not know, and it
is not always given us to know; but
the generation on which they were
forced cannot avoid the responsibility
Of honestly striving for their solution.
We may not know precisely how to
solve them, but we can make an honest
effort to that end. and if made in con-
science, justice and honor. it will not
be in vain. The future of the Philip
pine islands is now in the hands of the
American people. Until the treaty
was ratified or rejected. the executive
department. of this government could
only preserve tha peace and protect life
and property.
That treaty now commits the free
and enfranohised Filipinos to the guild.
ing hand and the liberalizing influen.
yes, the generous sympathies, the up.
lifting education. not Of their Ameri.
IAN masters. but of their American
No one can tell today
what is best for them or for us. II
snow no one at this hour who is wise
enough or sufficiently informed to de.
ermine what form Of government will
'est subservs their interests and ouY in.
erests. their and our well being.
h~. /