The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-12-06
THE MESSAGE.
continued From Third Page.


we desert them we leave them at once
to anarchy Rnd finally to bnrbarism.
We ding them, golden apple OF dis
cord. amonE the rival powers, no one Of
which could permit another to seize
them unduestioned Their rich plains
and valleys would be the scene of end
less strife and bloodshed. phe advent
of Deweys feet in Manila bay instead
Of being, as We hope, the dawn OF q
new day OF freedom and progress. Will
have been the beginning Of an era OF
misery and violence worse than any
which has darkened their unhappy past.
The suggestion has been made that we
could renounce our authority over the
islands and, giving them independence
could retain a prOtectorate over them.
This proposition will not be found. am
sure, worthy OF your serious attention.
Such an arrangement would involve at
the outset cruel breach OF faith. IL
would plucc the peaceable and loyal
majority, who ask nothing better than
10 accent our authority, at the mercy OF
the minority Of armed insurgents. II
would make US responsible for the acts
OF the Insurgent leaders and givr us
no power to control them. 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. In snort
Il would take from the Congress Of the
United States the power OF declaring
war and vest that tremendous preroga-
tive In the Tagalo leader OF the hour.
It does not seem desirable that
should recommend ut this time q specl-
hc and final form Of government for
these islands. When peace shall he re-
stored twill be the duty of Congress 70
construct plan of government which
shall estRblishs and maintain freedom
and order and peace In the Philippines.
The instruction Is still existing ana
when 1t terminates further Information
will be required Us to the actual conal-
tion OF affnirs before inauGurHting u
permanent scheme of civil government.
The full report OF the commission, now
in preparation, will contain information
and suggestions which viii be of value
10 Congress, and which will transmit
"a soon as 1t is completed. AS long as
the insurrectlon continues the military
arm must necessarily be supreme, But
there Is no reason why steps should not
be taken from time to time to inaugur-
ate governments essentially popular IN
their form as fast as territory Us neiu
or controlled by our troops 10 Lnls
end l am considering the ACCESSIBILITY
OF the return OF the commission. or
such Of the members thereof as can be
secured, to aid the existing authorities
and facilitate this work throughout the
iRlands. l have believed that recon-
Etruction should not begin by the es-
tablishment OF one central civil govern
Tnent for all the islands, with Its seat AZ
Manila, but rather that the work should
be commenced by building up from the
bottom, first establishing municipal
governments and then provisional gov
ernments, a central government at last
to follow.
known the formal expression OF its VIII
shall use the authority vested In me
by the constitution and the statutes to
uphold the sovereignty OF the United
States In those distant Islands, as in all
other places where our flag righttully
floats, | shall put at the disposal OF
the army and navy all the means which
the llberalIty Of Congress and the peo-
pie have provided to cause this unpro-
volred and wasteful instruction 10
cease. II any orders Of mine We're re-
ouIred to insure the merciful conduct
Of military and naval operations they
would not be lacking. but every step
Of the progress OF our troops has been
marked by humanity which has sur
Drlsed even the misguided insurgents.
The truest kindness TO them will be
swift and effective defeat OF their pres.
emf leader The hour of victory VIII
be the hour OF clemancy and recon-
structIon. r
No effort will be spared to build up
the waste places desoated by war and
hy long years OF mlsgoVernment we
shall not walt forthee end of strife to be-
Gin the benehclent work. We shall
Continue. as we have begun to open the
schools and the churches, TO set the
courts in operation, to foster Industry
and trade and agriculture, and IN eV-
cry way In our power TO make these
people whom Providence has brought
within our Jurisdiction feel that 1t Is
their liberty. and not our power; their
welfare, and not our gain. we are seek
ing to enhance. Our flag has never
waved over any community but in
blessing. believe the FIlipinos will
soon recognize the fact that It has not
lost Its gift OF benedictlon in Its world
wide journey to their shores.
The Hawaiian Islands.
Some embarrassment In adminIstra-
ton has occurred by reason OF the Pc
culiar status which the Hawaiian Is
lands occupy under the Joint resolution
Of annexation, approved July Z, 1888.
While by that resolution the republic
Of Hawaii is an Independent nation,
and It's property and possessions vest
ed in the United States. yet a complete
establishment Of It's government under
our system was not effected. While
the municipal laws OF the Islands not
enacted for the fulhllment OF treaties
and not inconsistent with the joint res
olutlon or contrary to the constitution
Of the United States, or any OF Its
treaties remain In force. yet these laws
relate only TO the social and internal
affairs Of the Islands, and do not touch
many subjects Of Importance which are
OF a broader national character. For
example. the Hawaiian republic was d.
vested of all title to the public lands In
the islands, and Is not only unable to
dispose Of lands to settlers desiring to
take up homestead sites but Is without
power to give complete title In cases
where lands have been entered upon
lease, or other conditions which carry
with them the right to the purchaser,
lessee or settler, to have full title
granted by him upon compliance with
the conditions prescribed by law or By
his particular agreement OF entry.
Questions OF dOub. and difficulty
have also arisen with reference TO the
collection OF tonnage tax on vessels
coming from Hawnign ports; with ref
eFence to the status OF Chinese In the
islands. their entrance and exit there
from; as to patents and copyrights: as
to the register % vessels under the nav
IgntioE laws. as 10 the necessity Of
holding elections In accordance with
thu DFoyIgiOng Of thC Hawaiian gtatutpg