Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-12-13
MEDICINE LODGE, KANSAS WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 49,

rniral Dewey and BIS, Gen. Otis In establishing |
peace and order In the archipelago and the
largest measure Of sen-government compatible
with the true welfare Of the people What they
actually found best be set forth in their own
words:
"Deplorable as war is, the one in which we
are now engaged was unavoidable by US. We
were attacked by q bold, adventurous and en-
thusiastic army. No alternative was left to US,
except ignominous retreat
ut is not to be conceived of that any Ameri-
caa would have sanctioned the surrender of
Manila to the insurgents. Our obligations to
other nations and to the friendly Filipinos and
to ourselves and our flag demanded that force
should be met by force. Whatever the future
of the Philippines may be, there is no course
open to us now except to prosecute the war un-
til the insurgents are reduced to submission.
The commission is of the opinion that there has
been no time since the destruction Of the Span
ish squadron by Admiral Dewey when it was
possible to withdraw our forces from the is
lands, either with honor to ourselves safety
to the inhabitants"
The course thus clearly indicated has been
unflinchingly pursued. The rebellion must be
put down Civil government cannot be thor
oughly established until order is restored. With
a devotion and gallantry worthy of its most
brilliant history the army, ably and loyally as
sisted by the navy, has carried on this unwel-
come. but most righteous campaign, with richly
deserved success. The noble self-sacriflce with
which our soldiers and sailors whose service
had expired refused to avail themselves of their
right to return home as long as they were need
ed at the front forms one of the brightest pages
| in our annals. Although their operations have
! been somewhat interrupted and checked by
| rainy season Of unusual violence and duration,
they have gained ground steadily In every direc-
| ton, and now look forward confidently to
speedy completion Of their task.
l communicate these facts to the congress for
it's information and action. Everything indi-
| Gates that with the speedy suppression OF the
Tagalo rebellion life in the archipelago will
| soon assume its ordinary course under the pro-
| lection of our sovereignty and the people OF
| those favored islands will enjoy prosperity
| and freedom which they have never before
| known. Already hundreds of schools are
| open and filled with children. Religious free
| dom is sacredly assured and enjoyed. The
| courts are dispensing Justice. Business is be-
| nning to circulate in its accustomed channels
Manila, whose inhabitants were fleeing to the
country few months ayo is now populous
and thriving mart OF commerce. The earnest
and unremitting endeavors Of the commission
| and the admiral and major general command
ing the department Of the Pacific to assure the
people of the benehcent intentions Of this gov
eminent, have had their legitimate effect in
convincing the great mass Of them that peace
and safety and prosperity and stable govern
ment can only be found in loyal acceptance Of
the authority of the United States.
The future government of the Philippines
Few graver responsibilities have ever been
conflded to us. II we accept them In spirit
worthy Of our race and our traditions, great
opportunity comes with them. The islands lie
under the shelter Of our flag. They are ours by
every title of law and equity. They cannot
be abandoned If we desert them we leave
them at once to anarchy and finally to barbar-
ISM We fling them, golden apple OF discord,
among the rival powers, no one of which could
permit another to seize them unQuestioned.
Their rich plains and valleys would be the
the scene of endless strife and bloodshed. The
, | advent of Dewey's feet in Manila bay instead
, of being, as we hope, the dawn OF a new day OF
freedom and progress VIII have been the begin.
ming Of an era of misery and violence worse
. than any which has darkened their unhappy
. | past. The suggestion has been made that we
could renounce our authority over the island:
. and give them independence, could retain a pro
: tectorate over them. This proposition will no
: : be found am sure, worthy of your serious at
tention. Sucn an arrangement would involve
at the outset a cruel breach Of faith. It woul,
| place the peaceable and majority, who ask moth
7 ing better than to accept our authority, at tn
, mercy OF armed insurgents. 1t would make u
| responsible for the acts OF the inSurgent leader
\ | and give us no power to control them. 1t woul
= | charge US with the task Of protecting then
: against each other and defending them agains
. | any forei N power with which they chose t
. quarrel. In short, it would take from the con
q gress OF the United States the power of declar
= ing war and vest that tremendous prerogativ
: : in the Tagalo leader Of the hour.
1t does not seem desirable that should rec
- ommend at this time a specific and final forr
y of government for these islands. When peac
- shall be restored it will be the duty of congress
- to construct plan OF government which sha
= establish and maintain freedom and order an
- peace in the Philippines The insurrection
" still existing and when 1t terminates further in
> formation will be required as to the actual cor
. dition Of affairs before inaugurating perms
nent scheme Of civil government. The full re
port of the commission, now in preparation
will contain Information and sugge> tions whic
u will be of value to congress and which I wi
ie transmit soon as it is completed
shall put at the disposal Of the army an
navy all the means which the lberality of COZ
o1 gresS and the people have provided to caus
IN this unprovoked and wasteful insure :tion
5, cease. II any rierS OF mine were required
lie insure the merciful conduct Of military ar
s; naval operations, they would not be lacking
1e but every step of the pro Of our troops h;
40 been marked by humanity which has su
ne prised even the misguided insurgents TT
es truest kindness to them will be swift and e
he fective defeat Of their present leader. TT
OF hour Of victory will be an hour Of clemency an
In reconstruction.
a. No effort will be made to build up the was
1d places desolated by war and long years of mi
OF government. We shall not wait for the end
D. the strife to begin the benefcent work. v
10 shall continue. as we have begun, to open Il
OF schools and the churches, to set the courts
| operation, TO 1oSter Industry anu LraQe ana q
ne riculture and In every way in our power
he make these people whom Providence h
IS brought within our jurisdiction feel that it
ey their liberty and not our power, their wefa
r. and not our gain that we are seeking
ne enhance. Our flag has never waved over a.
u community but in blessing. believe the FIJI
e. pinos will soon recognize the fact that it b
in not lost its gift of benediction in its wordwi
70 journey to their shores
OF Recommendations for Porto Rico.
les The system of civil Jurisprudence now adopt
he by the people of Porto Rico Is described
no competent lawyers who are familiar with it
OF thoroughly modern and scientific, so far as 1t
el- lates to matters of internal business, ira
TO production and social and private rights in sc
er- eral The cities of the island are governed u
ne der charters which probably require very lit
is or no change. So that with relation to matte
to Of local concern and private right it is
he probable that much If any legislation Is des
or able; but with reference to public administl
In tion and the relations OF the islands to the fe
elr eral government there are many matters viii
are Of pressing urgency.
IN The fundamental requirement for these pt
on pie. as for all people, is educ .tion. The Fl
est schoolhouse Is the best preceptor for citizs
1t- ship In the introduction of modern edu,
Id tional methods care. however, must be ex
ct- cised that changes be not made too abrup
I've and that the history and racial peculiarities
lds the inha abitants shall be given due weight s.
lne TENS OF edu alton in these new posseSsit
OF | founded on common sense methods. adapted
existing conditions and looking to the futl
BY movement and industrial advancement OF
ner people, will commend to them in peculia