The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-02-17


war IS over nor can the measure Of re-
sponsibility be fixed until the last gun
Is fired and the verdict embodied In the
stipuations Of peace.
We hear no complaint Of the relations
created by the war between this govern
ment and the islands Of Cuba and Porto
Rico. There are some. however. who
regard the Philippines as in a different
relation, but whatever variety of views
there may be on this phase Of the ques-
tion there is universal agreement that the
Philippines should not be turned back
10 Spain. 10 true American consents TO
that Even If unwilling 10 accept them
ourselves It would have been a weak
evasion OF manly duty 10 require Spain
10 transfer them 10 some other power or
powers and thus shirk our own rsspon-
sibility. Even II We had had as We did
not have the power 10 compel to such a
transfer. it could not have been made
without the most serious International
complications. Such n course could not
be thought Of and yet had we refused 10
accept the cession OF them We should
have had no power over them even FOR
their own good We could not discharge
tho respOns Utilities upon us until these
islands became ours and by conquest or
treaty There was but one alternative
and that was either Spain or the United
States $50 the Philippines Otherwise they
would be tossed into the arena Of con-
tcntion for the strife Of nations. or sec
ond. to be left 20 the anarchy and chaos
of no protcctorate at an were too shame
I'M 10 be considered
The treaty gave them to the United
States. Could we have required less and
done our duty? Could we. after freeing
the Fihpinos from the domination Of
snain have left them without govern
ment and without power 10 protect life
and property or TO perform the inter-
national obligations essential to an in
dependent statc2 could we have left
them I'm "a state of anarchy and justified
ourselves in our own conscience or be-
fore the tribunal of mankind Could
We have done that I'm the sight Of God
and man?
not FOB EMPIRE.
Our concern was not FOR territory or
trade OF empire. but for tho people whose
interests and destiny without our will
ing 60 had been put I'm our hands. II vas
because of this feeling from the first day
10 the last that not one word went from
the Executive az Washington TO our mill
itary and naval commanders at Manila.
or 20 0ur Peace Commissioners at Paris
that did not put as the sole purpose to
be kept in mind first after the success Of
our arms and the maintenance Of our
own honor. the welfare and happiness
and the rights of the inhabitants of the
Philippine Islands. Did we need their
consent to perform "a great act for hu-
manity? We had II in every aspiration
of their minds IN every hope Of their
hearts. Was 10 necessary to ask their
consent 90 capture Manila. the capital Of
Hr
to liberate them from Spanish sover-
eighty or 10 enter Manila bay and destroy
the Spanish sea power there? We did
not ask this. we were obeyng a higher
moral obligation which rested on us and
which did not require anybodys consent.
CANNOT ASK CONSENT
We We're doing our duty by them with
the consent of our own conscience, and
with the approval Of civilization. Every
present obligation has beer met and ful-
niled in the expulsion oft the Spanish SOW
ereignty from their Islands, and while
the war that destroyed 30 was in progress.
We could not ask their views. nor can
We ask their consent. Indeed, can any
one teIl me in what form 10 could be
marsha.iod and ascertain until peace and
order so necessary TO the reign of rea-
son shall be secured and established
reign of terror Is not the kind OF rule un-
der which right action and deliberate
Judgment are possible. 10 rs not a good
time for The liberator TO submit imDOr-
tant questions concerning liberty and
government To- the liberated while they
are engaged in shooting down their res
cuers We have now ended the war
with Spain. The treaty has been ratified
hv more than twO-thirds of tho Senate
Of the United States and By the judg-
l1ent OF nine-tenths Of It's people. No ma
tion was ever more fortunate in war or
more prosperous in peace. Z do not seek
10 anticipate or forestal the action Of
Congress. i can only say that the treaty
Of peace. having been ratified by the
United States. as we confidently expect
it TO bo ratified in Spain, Congress shall
have the power, and / am sure the pur-
pose 90 do what in good morals is right
and just and humane for these people I'm
distant seas The future of the Philip
pine Islands is now in the hands Of the
American people. Cntil the treaty was
ratified or rejected. the executive depart
mcnt Of this government could only pre-
serve the peace and protect life and
property. The treaty now commits the
free and enfranch.sed Fiipinos 10 the
guiding hand and the iiborating influence.
the generous sympathies. the uplifting
education. not OF their American mas.
ters, but OF their American emanclpators.
no one can tell what is best for them or
for us. / know no one az this hour who
is wise enough or sufficiently informed TO
determine what form OF government will
best subserye their interests and our in
terests their and our well being. III we
knew everything hy intuition. and
sometimes think there are some who do
think we do, we should not need infor-
nation but unfortunately most OF MS are
not In that happy state.
TRUSTS CONGRESS.
The whole subject is now with CON.
grcss. and Congress is the voice the
conscience and the Judgment Of the
American people Upon their Judgment
and conscience can We not rely? Z be-
lieye I'm them ] trust them. / know Of
no better or safer or more humane tri-
bunal than the people Until Congress
shall direct otherwise. 80 will be the duty
OF the Executive 20 hold the Philippines.
giving 20 the people thereof peace and
order and benehccnt government. afford
ing them opportunity 10 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
aims; their welfare is our welfare. but
that neither their aspirations nor ours
can De realized until our authority Is ac
kn0wledged and unquestioned
That the inhabitants OF The Philippines
will be benefited by this republic Is an
mistaken belief: that they will have a
kindlier government under our guidance.
and tfat they will be aided In every
possible way 10 be self-respecting and