The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1899-12-09
FUTURE GOVERNMENT.
This Matter IL Transferred 20 the
Hands Of COnEress.

hb1u vi
Everything indicates that with the SPEEDY
suppression OF the Tagalo rebellion ne r AZ
archipelago will soon resume us sinntv
course under the protection of our soVereisnty;
and the people O: those favored islands WI!
enjoy a prosperity and a freedom whlGn rnd as
NJ schools are open and filled with children;
Religious freedom is sacredly assured ana
enjoyed; The II sse courts a re- c drspfns."ff in its &C.
customed channels. Manila. whose 1nhaDi'aao"
were fleeing to the country a rev ,n moht OF com ON.
merce. The earnest and unremitting endeaa1rs
Of the commission and the admiral ana thuJba
hPaciac to assure the people of the heneficent
Intentions of this government have naa .nem
legitimate effect IN e amN nafnty ' and sI prosperity
and stable government can only pc iou"o "
1Tya. of the United States.
The future government Of the phiiippimes
rests with the congress OF the United states.
Few graver resPon rs nacent nasr in a spirit
worthy of our race and our traditions a great
Opportunity comes with them. ..u,,.r
of our nag. They are ours by every
title of law and equity. They can
not he abandoned. II we desert them
we leaye them Mt once to nharc"S
md finally to barbarian. we MINK
them, q golden apple of discoru,
among the rival powers. no IN ol
which could permit announcer !" GLE
InGnu
Their rich plains and valleys would be 1 tho
scene of endless strife and blo9lshed. me
advent of Dewey's. fleet in Manila nay; ,nst nau
If heing. as we hoped, the dawn OF q new
day of freedom and progress, will nave been
| the beginning Of an era OF misely ana si tr -
| worse than any which has darkensa .ne'r muns
| happy past. The suggestion has been ihah h.
| that we could renounce our authority o'er ."e
island. o, vii, not he found.
I am sure, worthy of your serious
attention. Such an
would ut the outset u crueA
breach of faith.
It would place the peaceaEle and loSal ma
iority who ask nothing better than 70 &C.
Of armed insurgents. 1t would make US re-
spousible for the acts OF the lnsarSeni a aua'e
would charge us with the task 81 protecans
them against each other and as'''nl,ns t ne
! against any foreign power With "nlch they
chose to quarrel. In short, 1t would take from
the congress of the United States the power
OF aee'aring in the the legal leader OF the hour.
It does not seem desirable that I should rec
ommend at this time a specific ana maj ho.n.
shall be restored 1t will be the duty OF con-
To Construct n Plan of Government
which shall establish and maintain freedom
and order and peace in, the Philippines. Inc
Instruction is still existing. and when 1t ter.
inmates further VIII DC reSairea
now in preparation will contain information
inAugurating a permanent scheme OF civil gov
.nment. The full report OF the commission
and suggestions which Will be Of value te
congress and which l will transmit as soon
as it is completed; AS long as the 'n nscrsssr,1n
be supreme. But there is no reason "lv steps
should not be taken from time +, time TO- In
their form as fast as they are held or con-
trolled by our tro RS. To this end ] am con-
s slider 1..,e the a ad sncb af the +, 'h mem TI,ern t +. .ns
as can be secured. to aid the existing author
tiles and facilitate this work throughout tho
islands. 1 have beli.ved tat reconstruction
should not begin BY the establishment of one
central civil government for the island, with
its seat at Manila. but rather that ho. the work
municipal governments and then provincial
governments. a central government to last fol-
Until shall make kn0wn
the formal expression of Its will,
I shall use the authority vested In
me by the constitution and the stat
utex to uphold the sovereignty of
the United States in those distant
islands as I'm all other places where
our flag riRhtfully Aoats.
1 shall put at the disposal of the army and
navy all the means which the liberality OF
congress and the people have provided to
ton to caese. II any orders OF mine were re-
quired to insure the merciful conduct of mill
tary and naval operations they would not be
lacking: but every step of the progress of
the. troops has bsen marked by a humanity
which has surprised even the misguided 1nsur-
| gents. The truest kindness to them will be
a swift and effective defeat OF their present
leader.
The hour of victory will be the
hour of cleMency and recOnstruc-
ton.
No effort will be spared to build up the
waste places d~esolated by war and by long
| Years OF misyovernment. We shall not walt
Tor the end OF strife t. bcgii, the benehcent
| work. We shall continue, as we have begun.
| the courts in operation. to foster industry and
trade and agriculture. and in every way in
| dence has brought within our Jurisdiction feel
that it is their liberty and not our power.
their welfare and not our gain. we are seek
| ing to enhance. Our nag has never waved
over any community but in blessing. l be-
lieve the Fi!ipinos Will soon recognize the
fact that 1t has not lost Its GIT OF bcnedic-
ticn in its Worldwide journey to their shores.