Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-02-22
THE NATIONS TRUST.
PRESIDENT MCKINLEY'S SPEECH
AT BOSTON OF VAST IMPORT.
IT SHOWS CLEARLY THE ATTITUDE OF
THE PRESIDENT IN THE FACE OF
MoMENToUs ISSUES RESULT
ING FROM THE WAR.


Home Market club. of Boston, last Thurs
day night, reference TO which is made in
the editorial columns OF THE AMERICAN,
was received with enthusiasm. He said in
part
u do not know why in the year 1899
this republic has Unexpectedly had placed
before it mighty problems which it must
face and meet. 1hey rave come ana are
here aud they could not be kept away.
Many " no were impatient for he conflict
year ago, apparently needless of its
larger results, sre the first to cry out
sgslnst the far-reaching consequences of
their own act. Those OF US who dreaded
war most and whose every effort was
directed TO prevent It, had fears CT new
ana grave problems which might follow
its Inauguration.
Tine evolution Of eyents which no man
could control mas brought these prof.
lens upon Us. Certain 1t is that they
lave not come through any fault on our
own part. but a. high obligation. and
We meet them With clear conscience aud
uuse fish purpose. shd with good heart
resolve 10 undertake their solution.
w ar vas declared IN April. IS,'S. with
practical uuanjDlty by the Congress, and :.
once upon Us was sustained by IKE una
nlmity among the people. There had
on the other hand. there were many " no
would have precipitated it. In its prose
cutlon and conclusion the great majority
of our countrymen OF every section be-
lieved they were lighting in just cause,
and at home or at sea or in the field they
had part in its glorious triumphs. 1t Was
the war of an undivided nation. The
protocol commanded the practically unsn-
lmous approval of the American people ;
it was welcomed by every lover OF peace
beneath the flag.
1.-The Philippines, like Cuba and Porto
Rico. were intrusted to our hands by the
| war, and to that great trust, under the
providence of God and in the name of
| human progress and civilization, we are
| committed. 1t is a trust We have not
| sought; il is trust from which We Will
| not finch.
| 1--WE hear no complaint OF the relations
! created by the war between this govern
ment and the islands of Cuba and Porto
| Rico. There are some, however, who re-
| gard the Philippines as in different re-
| lation; but whatever variety OF views
! there may be on this phase OF the ques-
| ton, there Is universal agreement that
the Philippines shall not be turned back
/ Spain. No true American consents to
that. Even il unwilling to accept them
ourselves, il would have been weak eva
sion OF manly duty to require Spain to
transfer them to some other power or
powers and thus shlrk our own response
bIlity.
Even If we had had, as we did not
have. the power to compel such trans
fer it could not have been made without
the most serious international complIca-
tions. such course could not be
thought Of. There Was but one aiterna-
tiye-eiihe Spain or the United States
in the Philippines. The other suggest
ions-iirst, that they should be tossed
into the arena OF contention for the
strife of nations: or, second, be left to
he anarchy and chaos of no protectorate
at ail-were too shameful to be consId-
cred.
Gould we, after freeing the Filipincs
from the domination OF Spain, have
left them without government and with
out power TO protect life or property or TO
perform the international Obligations
essential to an independent state? Could
We have left them IN a state OF anarchy
and justified ourselves III our own eon-
sciences or before the tribunal Of man
kind? Could We have done that in the
sight of God or man?
I'VE have NOW ended the war with
Spain. The treaty has been ratified by
the votes of more than two-thlrds OF the
Senate OF the United States and by the
judgment OF nine-tenths OF its people.
No nation was ever more fortunate in war
or more honorable III its negotiations III
! peace. Spain Is now eliminated from the
! problem. Ii remains to ask " hat We shall
! now do. do not iutrude upon the duties
| of Congress or seek to anticipate or fore
| stall Its action. | only say that the treaty
| of peace, honorabiy secured, having been
| ratified by the United States, and, as We
/ confidently expect, shortly to be ratified
! in Spain, Congress Will have the power,
and am sure the purpose, to 90 " hat III
! good morals is right and just aud humane
1 tor these peoples III distant seas.
! L. n-t If11l hAF n dot err limo
| what is best TO do, and the best thing to
| do is oftentimes the hardest. The prophet
/ of evil would DO nothing because he
| fnches at sacrifice and effort and to do
1 nothing Is easiest and involves The least
! cost. On those who have things to do
! there rests a responsibility which is not
| on those who have no obligations as
doors.
But grave problems come in he life Of
| a nation, however much men may seek to
| avoid them. They come Without oar
seeking. why we 90 not know, and ii Is
not always given US to know; but the
generation on which they are forced can
not 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 III conscience. Justice, and
/ honor it VIII not be in vain.
| The future OF the Philippine Islands is
| now in The hands Of the American people.
! That he inha bitants of the Philippines
/ will be benefited by this republic is my
| uns haken belief. That they viii have H
/ kindller government under our guidance
| and that they Will be aided in every pos
| sible way to be a self-resp ecting and self
governing people is as true as hat the
American people love liberty aud have an
abiding faith in their own government
| and in their own Institutions.
mo imperial designs lrrk in the Amer
lean mind. They are alien to America n
sentiment, thought and purpose. Our
priceless principles undergo no change
under tropical sun. They go with the
flag. They are wrought in every one of its
sacred folds and are inextlnguish able in
their shining stars.
why read ye not the changes5 truth,
The free can conquer but to save
''If we can benefit these remote peoples,
who will object? If in the years of the
future they are esta biished in govern
ment under law and liberty, who will
/ regret our periIs and sacrifices? w no