The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-20
SUNDAY. AUGUST 20. 1899.
THE PRESIDENT TO THE PEOPLE.

THE PRESIDENT TO THE PEOPLE.
A correspondent Of Harper's Weekly
AZ Lake Champlain. y. Y. furnishes the
current issue Of that periodical with q
letter which purports to reflect the views
OF Mr.. Mckinley on some of the i'm
portant questions now pending before the
public.
While the letter does not Turport 70 be
an interview with the President. yet 1t
seems almost certain that the President
knew what the writer was going TO say,
and approved IT, and thus took this semi
official method OF letting the public know
his views. The writer says:
president Mckinley is convinced that
no can put down the Philippine insurrec-
ton in a short time. lie lays great
stress on the prospect OF near ending
OF the war. and Is naturally looking 20
the future. The President believes that
we should keep the islands, subject TO-
congressional action. This, 20 him, is In
evitable. He does not want us TO give
up the islands. lie thinks that we would
DO thereby not only abandoning our rc-
sponsibilties. but that our action would
be a confession OF weakness. which would
make US an object Of der.s.on among
Europeans and would assure the Oriental
peoples that We are nation quite uu-
worthy OF their serious consideration.
and Il IS doubtless q desire OF the
administration 10 increase our commerce
in the East. The Philippines, so far as
mere commerce Is concerned, are not the
great figure in the Pacific at which the
president and his advisers are looking.
The trade Of China IS an object for which
American craftsmanship IS 10 struggle.
and this appeals 10 none more than 20 the
President.
For these considerations the Presi-
dent believes that We shall retain the
Philippines. keeping troops along the sea-
coast OF the larger islands, and not re-
tanning any single body OF troops there
longer than a twelvemonth.
although the President viii probably
say nothing I'm his next message con-
corning the future of the islands. and
will content himself with recommenda-
tions looking 10 the speedy crushing Of
Agulnaido." the correspondent has not
tho slightest doubt that che would Will
ingly go 20 the people on this issue,
provided q could DE put t0 them in the
manner I'm which st presents Itself 20
him.
"Tho President recognizes the necessity
az beginning very soon 20 give the Gu
bans the government of TIER own island.
There Is no intention however, 81 maxi
ing n sudden change. OF calling con-
sumtonal convention for the purpose Of
arranging az once a general scheme OF
government FOR the islands
" IS very desirable that we should have
every legitimate opportunity for extend
ing our trade in China. China is the
great market yet coming TO the world.
and We naturally want as good an OPP
portunity to sen our goods there rs any
other nations have But we should never
Justify the position we now maintain to-
wards the Philippine Islands hy any
such consideration as that Unless there
were some other ground upon which IL
could Sc justified we should say with
draw our land and naval forces 40 once.
However desirable 80 may be that We
should have a station Ike the Philip
pines near the Chinese coast We should
never consent 60 make war upon the
Fnlpinos TO get their islands as a base
for this trade. The President only weak
ems our position. therefore when he
brings into the case selfish considerations
O, this sort.
The providence Of God has cast this
Philippine situation upon u.s. and we must
meet is requirements because IT Is our
duty TO meet them. In righteous war
We wero compelled by the exigencles OF
that war TO overthrow Spanish rule in
the Philippine Islands. and that cast
upon us the obligation % set up an
other rule there that would give efectual
protection 10 life, property and charac-
ser. We must meet that responsibility
as men meet all their responsibilities
without grumbling az IT'S burdens or
snlvelllng about our hardshlps The thing
has got 10 DO done. and that IS an end OF
Il. and we mus, go along about It in a
business way and get through with II as
soon as we can We are sorry, therefore.
80 see the President trying 20 excuse his
course by petty considerations such as he
has urged. Let him keep his face set
manfully 10 the discharge OF his duty
and heed not the carplng OF those who
are always discontentcd when they have
no Offices lilo has the conscience and
the moral convictions OF the people at