New-York tribune., 1899-02-17
WORD TO THE NATION.



tions essential to independent state 'ou'u
we have left them in state OF anarch! anu
sustiAed ourselves in our own consciences or ne
fore the tribunal Of mankind? Could we have
done that in the sight of God and man?
LAND-GRABBING NOT THOUGHT OF.
Our concern was not for territory or trade or
,empire but for the people whose interests ana
destiny. without our willing it. had been put ]"
our hands 1t was with this feeling that from
the first day to the last not one word or Iine
went from the Executive in Washington TO our
military and naval commanders at Manila or ~
our Peace Commissioners At Paris tha' u'u ho'
rut as the sole purpose To be kept IN NINA HIS"
after the success Of our arms and the man'eh-
arca ~ our own honor. the welfare and happiness
and the rights Of the inhabitants Of the fhihp-
pine Islands Did we need their consent to per
form, q eroa, act for humanity? We had 1t IN
every aspiration Of their minds, in every hope OF
their hearts Was il necessary to ask their CON
sent 10 capture Manila the capital Of their ISL
ands? Did we ask their consent to hOerd'e
them from Spanish sovereignty or 70 enter Ma
nna BAY and destroy the Spanish sea power
there? We did not ask these; We were opeSl"s
q higher moral obligation which resteo Oh US
and which did not require anybodys consent
We were doing our duty by them as Goo gave
lis the light 20 soc our duty. with the consent
Of our own consciences and with the approVal
OF civilization.
Every present Obligation has been met and
fulfilled in the expulsion Of Spanish sovereignty
from their islands and while the war that oe-
stroyed II was in progress we could not ask
their views >;or can now ask their consent
Indeed can any one tell me I'm what form II
could he marshaned and ascertained until peace
and order. so necessary TO the reign OF reason
shall he secured and established? reign %
terror is not the kind Of rule under when rlsht
action and deliberate judgment are possible 1t
Is not good time for the lberator 70 submit
important questions concerning liberty and gov
ernment to the liberated while they are en-
Uaged in shooting down their rescuers.
THE PROBLEM AHEAD.
We have now ended the war with Spain. The
jtreaty has been ratified by more than two-thirds
OF the Senate Of the United States and 10y the
,tudsment of nine-tenths of its people. 40 nation
was ever more fortunate in war or more non
orable in negotiations in peace Spain Is now
eliminated from the problem. II remains 10 ask
what we shall now do. do not intrude upon tie
duties of Congress or seek 10 anticipate or fore,
stall its action. l only say that the Treaty "i
Peace. honoraby secured having been ratified
rect shortly to be ratified in Spain. Congress
will have the power and ! am sure the pur-
pose. to do what in good morals is right and
lust and humane for these peoples in distant
1t is sometimes hard TO determine what is
best to do. and the best thing To do is often
times the hardest The prophet Of evil would DO
nothing because he flinches at sacrifice and ef-
fort. and to do nothing is easiest and involves
the least cost on those who have things 10 do
there rests a responsibility which is not ON those
who have no obligations as doers. II the doubt
ers were in a majority. there would. II Is Nue.
be no labor no sacrifice. no anxiety, and no
burden raised or carried. no contribution from
our ease and purse and comfort 10 the welfare
Of others or even TO the extension OF our re-
sources 10 the welfare Of ourselves. There
would be ease. but alas. there would be nothing
done.
But grave problems come in the life Of a ma
ton. however much men may seek TO avoid
them They come without our seeking. Why
we do not know. and it is not always given us
70 know But the generation on which they
are forced cannot avoid the responsibility Of
honestly striving for their solution We may
not know precisely how to solve ttem. but we
can make an honest effort 10 that end. and II
made in conscience, justice and honor it Will
not be in vain.
IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE.
The future Of the Philippine Islands is now
IN the hands Of the American people. Unul the
treaty was ratified or rejected the Executive
Department Of this Government could only pre-
serve the peace and protect life and property.
That treaty now commits the free and enfran-
chised Fiipinos to the guiding hand and the
gpnu gVmpdfl HES
the uplifting education, not Of their American
masters but Of their American emancipators.
No one can tell to-day what is best for them
or for us I know no one az this hour who is
wise enough or sufficiently Informed 20 deter
mine what form OF government will best sub
serve their interests and our interests, their
and our we'll being.
II we knew everything by intution-and
sometimes think that there are those who be-
lieve that II we 90 not they dove should not
need information: but. unfortunately. most Of
us are not IN that happy state The whole sub
tect Is now with Congress. and Congress IS the
voice the conscience and the judgment Of the
American people. Upon their judgment and
conscience can We not rely? ! believe in them
trust them. know Of no better or safer
human tribunal than the people.
Until Congress shall direct otherwise. Il will
he the duty OF the Executive TO possess and
hold the Philippines. giving to the people there
OF peace and order and benefcent government.
affording them every opportunity to 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 aim. that their welfare is our
welfare but that neither their aspirations
ours can be realized until our authority Is ac-
knowledged and unquestioned.
FUTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES.
That the inhabitants OF the Philippines will
be benefited by this Republic Is my unshaken
laIiaF That thev will have a kndlier OoNarn-