The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-30
A BIT OF HISTORY.

1t is history that no one can forget
that President Mckinley was not in
haste in laying the ground to justify
a declaration of war against Spain. 1t
long time; that he postponed and held
back, believing the army and navy not
in a fit condition for war. 1t is history
that the Democracy in and out of Con-
sailed on the floor Of Congress and in
the Democratic press for his unwilling
ness to take a step that would justify
Congress in declaring war. lingo Re
publicans in this urging were cheek by
5owl with the Democrats, who fairly
filled the air of the country with the
demand for the war. In fact the Pres
ident was dragged out Of his conserva-
5ustifying Congress in it's action, which
1t took promptly, the Democrats being
leaders in the shout for war.
And so Intervention was made, war
out, and it's legitimate fruits are now
upon our hands. But 10! the same De-
mocracy that was SO urgent for the
war, is found assailing the President
which the fortune of war has cast into
the nations lap and surrender that
which has imposed upon US obligations
which If not fulfilled will make US the
Ecorn of the civilized world.
1t is entirely safe to say that had Ad-
miral Dewey after the battle of May l.,
1898. weighed anchor and have sailed
out of Manila Bay-though just what
would have become of him and his fleet
had he done so is q question, since he
was 1900 miles from a base and de-
barred entrance into any neutral port
the same partisan influences that urged
on the President and applauded Con-
gress for the vote Of the national de-
Tense fund and the declaration Of war,
would have been bitter, denunciatory
and hysterical in condemning the act
Those same influences would have de-
clared it cowardly and shameful and
have demanded that the fleet return
and take the city Of Manila, and that
troops be forwarded and the islands
be occupied.
But Dewey did not sail away. He
held to what he took. He declared the
United States to be dominant in the
Philippines and he kept the Powers of
Europe from bouncing upon the archi-
peligo and picking it up as wreckage
In time came the treaty of peace and
with it the transfer of title to u.s. and
the imposition of obligations to protect
the Spanish and other foreign residents
in the islands; to establish there free
and stable government, and to restore
the disturbed territory to peace and
commerce
Now that we are doing that very
thing, contesting in arms with insur-
gents and attempting to reduce to full
control of the nation all the territory
won by arms. transferred by cession.
and recognized as ours by all great
Powers, the same partisan influences
which urged the President and Con-
gress on, are found denouncing the Ad-
ministration, upbraiding and calumni
ating the Administration, opposing the
retention Of the islands. advising, nay
demanding. that we cast our treaty and
other obligations to the Winds and
abandon the archipelago, leaving 1t the
prey Of anarchy, or the greed Of the
first Power that chooses to pounce upon
dt.
The Fresno Republican" speculates
giowingly upon the introduction Of
'horseless carriages into California, and
finds great satisfaction in the expecta-
'tion. This, because we will be rid of
q great deal Of the noise of street and
road, due to orse-drawn vehicles, and
we are to be freed from the filth insep-
arabic from the use of the horse 1t