The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-06
snAr-rLR wnnsEsDAr, DEC. ..



a FRUITFUL MESSAGE.
Every presidential message contains
matter OF importance to the country.
The rnagnituds OF our transactions and
the large number OF people to be at
fected By any variance in our policy
would make q message a matter Of
great public concern at any time. 1t is
very Weldon, however. that 20 many
subjects OF almost vital importance have
been condensed into one document as
IN that with which President Mckinley
submits the condition Of the country, its
interests and its prospects. to the newly
opened congress.
Indeed, it Is not an easy matter to
arrange the subjects in the order Of
their importance. From the suggestion
OF ch&ngss In the banking laws through,
out tho eitire message to the subject Of
lynchings In the South there is not q
paragraph but calls for serious atten-
ton.
~ It cannot be said thss President Me-
KinIey II timid In defending such acts
~ came within his discretion. and al
though h b exceedingly careful not to
invade the territory Of the legislative
branch, he ID very frank in expressing
his views upon matters of public policy.
Popular interest win probably be most
concentrated upon the subjects of the
Philippine islands and Cuba Upon
both these topics the president win md
himself In full accord with the people.
Az to Cuba he declares that the pledge
contained in the resolution disclaiming
any disposition or intention to exercise
sovereignty over the island is of the
highest honorable obligation and must
be sacredly kept Al the same time he
win be supported In the view that it is
our duty to see that free Cuba be
reality and not name--a perfect en-
tity, not a hasty experiment bearing
within itself the elements of failure. 1t
should be observed that the message
deals with Cuba among the groups of
subjects relating to foreign countries.
while he treats of the Philippines among
domestic topics.
He reminds the nation that the Pa
cific islands were not only ceded by
Spain, which had been In undisputed
possession of them for centuries, but
they were accepted by the constitutional
and well considered action of the repre-
sentatives Of the people Of the United
States ip both houses Of congress.
Every word of the message on this
subject should be read by the people of
the United States. For two reasons the
president insists that the islands cannot
be abandoned. II we desert them we
leave them at once to anarchy and
finally to barbarism. If we consented
to retain only protectorate, it would
charge US with the task of protecting
them against each other and defending
them against any foreign power with
which they chose to quarrel.
The presidents official message. pro-
Tossing friendly relations with all for
eign powers. cannot point out as def
nitely as he might the other reason,
namely, that our withdrawal from the
Philippines and the attempt that would
certainly follow of the predatory tribes
to seize the property of peaceable citi-
Gems would make it Inevitable that a
European power should step in and
seize what we gave UP.
Next in general interest will probably
be the presidents comment upon trusts
and their regulation. 1t is deserving of
notice that Mr.. Mckinley gracefully
acknowledges the warning given by two
Of his predecessors. The subject is
treated in a manly way, and the Re-
publican party needs no better guide
than he has afforded, nor can Ameri-
cams Of any other party find fault with