Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1899-10-19
IN CONGRESS- HANDS.
The President Believes Our Legisla-
tors Favor Holding Philippines.
mr.. Mckinley, in No Uncertain Language,
Declares His Confidence That the New
Possessions Will Prove a Rich Her
itage for the United States.

Minneapolis, Mimi, Oct. 13.-From
platform in front of the Minneapolis
exposition building President McKin-
ley yesterday afternoon voiced the
nations welcome to the Thirteenth
Minnesota volunteers, just returned
from the Philippines, and delivered an
address to thousands of cheering peo-
pie. The president and his party were
driven to the exposition building di-
rectly after having reviewed the long
parade from the reviewing stand on
NicOllet avenue. The cheering broke
loose as soon as President Mckinley,
Gov. Lind and Gen. Summers, of the
Second Oregon volunteers, appeared on
the platform. Mayor Gray spoke the
words of greeting to the soldiers and
distinguished guests on behalf of the
city and Gov. Lind on behalf of the
state. The governor paid a strong
tribute to the returned volunteers.
President Mckinley was greeted
with cheers that continued for several
moments and throughout the delivery
of his address the applause was fire.
quent. The president said in part:
I have come from the capital of the nation
that might give the nations welcome to a
regiment of the nations defenders. I have
come to speak the voice of love and gratitude
which comes from every American heart to-day
that loves the flag. 1 have come to bid you
welcome because you did your duty and that is
the highest tribute that can be paid to any SOL
der anywhere and do not think the members
OF this regiment, or the regiments constituting
the Eighth army corps in the Philippines, resent
the Importance and heroiSm of their action
after the treaty of peace was signed and rati-
fed. 1 want to say to you men and to Col.
SummerS-Gen. Summers now because of his
gallantry-that the officers and men of the
Eighth army corps sent to Washington a mes
sage telling me that they would stay in the
Philippines until could create new army and
send 1t there to take their places come to
bid you welcome and give you the honor of the
nation because you sustained the flag of the ma
ton. because you refused to stack arms, refused
to sound retreat And you have come back
having a high place in the hearts and affections
of the American people and gratitude that will
continue for all time. You have also by your
services added much to the cause of humanity,
added much to the advancement of the civiliza-
ton which has characterized the century
just now fading away. This century heralds
the most wonderful progress of the world known
to all history.
In the last year we have added to the terri
tory OF the United States the territory of the
Hawaiian islands, one of the gems of the Pacific
ocean, containing 6,724 square miles; Porto
Rico, containing 1900 square miles; Guam, con-
tanning 80 square miles, and the Philippine ar
ch1pelago, embracing approximately 143, 600
square miles. This latest acquisition is about
one-s1xth the size of the original Is states 1t is
larger than the combined area of New JERSEY.
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina
South Carolina and the District of Columbia,
1t exceeds in area all of the New England states.
1t is almost as large as Washington and Ore
gOn combined, and greater than Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois united; three times larger than
New York and 30 times larger than the state of
Ohio.
The treaty of peace with Spain. which gave
US the Philippines Porto Rico and Guam, met
with some opposition in the senate, but was
ratified by that body by more than two-thirds
vote; while in the house the appropriation of
S2OO00,00O was made with little or no opposition.
AS IN the case OF the Louisiana purchase and
Alaska, the opponents of the treaty were in the
minority and the staff of hope to an oppressed
people was not eXtinguiShed.
The future of these new possessions is in the
keeping of congress and congress is the servant
OF the people. That they will be retained under
the benign sovereignty of the United States
do not permit myself to doubt That they will
prove rich and valuable heritage feel as
Sured That congress will provide for them
government which will bring them blessings,
which will promote their material interests as
we'll as advance their people in the path of civ
ilzation and intelligence, I confidently believe.
They will not be governed as VasSa1s or Serfs or
slaves-they will be given government of lib
erty, regulated by law, honestly administered,
without depressing or exacting, taxation with
out tyranny, justice without bride, education
without distinction or social conditions, free
dom of religious worship and protection in life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Gen. Summers, responding to calls of
soldier boys, came forward and bowed
his Acknowledgements amid frantic
cheers eve left Old Glory floating in
Luzon,'' he said, ''and if necessary we
will go back there to defend it. -
At the conclusion of the exercises the
returned volunteers We're served with
an elaborate dinner in the expo sition
building.