The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-22

their views. Nor can we ask their consent t
Indeed, can anyone tell me in what form Il
could be marshaled and ascertained until
peace and order, so necessary 10 reign OF rea
son, shall be secured and estaeiishedY a
which right action and deliberate judgment
are possible It is not good time for the
liberator to submit important questions con
to to- ben be liberated while they are engaged ir
shooting down their rescuers.
We have ended the war with Spain. The
treaty has been ratified bv more than Two
thirds OF the senate OF the United States and
by the Judgment ofnine-tenths of lis people
No nation was ever more fortunate In war OF
more honorable in peace. It remains TO ask
what we shall now do. do not intrude upon
the duties OF congress or seek to anticipate OF
| forestall It's action. I only say that the treaty
| of peace honorably secured, having been ratt
fed by the United states ,ao and as W we it conn
congress will have the power, and l am sure
| the purpose, to do what in good morals is
right and just and humane for these people
The future of the Philippine islands is' now
in the hands of the American people. Until
the treaty was ratified or rejected the execu'
tive department ofthis government cou,d only
erty. That treaty now ommits the free and
enfranchised Filipinos to the guiding hand
and lberating influences, the generous
their American masters, but Of their Am eri
can emancipators. No one can tell todey
what Is best for them or for US. know
no one at this hour who Is wise enough o.
sufficiently informed to determine what form
of government will best subserve their Inter
ests and ours, their and our we'll being. II we
knew every thing by intution-and some.
times think there are those who believe thai
If we do not they dove should not need
information, but unfortunately most OF us
are b OF in that happy state. The whole sub
Voice. the consciences and the Judgment OF
the American people. Upon their Judgment
and conscience can we not rely? believe
in them, Il trust them. know OF no better or
safer or more humane tribunal than the
Until congress shall direct otherwise 1t will
| be the duty Of the executive to possess and
hold the Philippines, giving 10 me people H
ernment, affording them opportunity TO
| prosecute their lawful pursuits, encouraging
Them in thrift and industry. making them
| feel and know that we are their friends, not
their enemies; that their good is our aim
their welfare is our welfare. but that neither
| their aspirations nor ours can be realized un-
til our authority Is acknowledged and un'
|. That the inhabitants of the Philippines will
be benefited by this republic is my unshaken
belief; that they will have kiDdlier govern
ment under our guidance, and that they will
specting and self.governtng people is as true
rs that the American people love liberty and
have an abiding faith In their own govern
ment and In their own inhaitants.
No imperial designs lurk In the American
minds. They are alien to American senti.
ment, thought and purpose. Our priceless
principles undergo no change under tropical
| sun. They 60 with the fat:
why read ye no the changeless truth,
The free can conquer but to saver"
five can benefit these remote peoples, who
will object? If In the years OF the future they
are established In government under law and
| liberty, who will regret our perils and sacri.
| fees? Who will not rejoice In Cur heroism
and humanity?. Always perlls and always
after them safety; always darkness and clouds,
but always shining Through. them the light
and su psh ine; always cost and sacrifice but al.
education and civilization. have no light or
knowledge not com mon to my countrym men.
do not prophesy. The present is all absorb
! ing TO me, but cannot bound my vision
| by the ood.stain ed trenches around Manila,
where every red drop, whether from the veins
of an American soldier or misguided Fill
pino, Is anguish to my heart but oy the
broad range of future years, when that group
OF islands, under the impulse of the yearjust
past, shall have become the gems and glorles
OF those tropical seas, land Of plenty and OF
increasing possibilities, q people redeemed
from savage Incidence and habits, devoted to
and trade Of all nations, epJoving the bles
sings of freedom, of civil and religious ltber-
ty. OF education and Of homes, and whose
ch ildren and chlldren's children shall for ages
hence bless the American republic because
IL emancipated and redeemed their father
land and set them in the pathway OF the
worlds best civilization.