Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-12-14
INDEPENDENCE OF CUBA
Americas Pledge Must Be Sacred1v
Kent.

my MY annual message of last year was neces-
So safliy DEVOTED in great part to consideration
wrought and the conditions it imposed for
me me future future. am gratifed to announce that
tinn .reaty OF peace has restored friendly rela-
given to its most important provisions. The
sss sse Of Porto Rico having already
1888, nothing remained necessary there but
70 continue the provisional military control of
Sn1 the should enact
OF the character and scope of the measures
TO- that END shall treat in another part Of
The withdrawal of the authority of Spain
from ire !, the island Of Cuba was effected by the
ment of peace found the relinqushed territory
neio by US In trust for the inhabitants, main
sa tam under the direction of the executive,
euch government and control therein as
should should conserve public order, restore the pro-
gu auctive conditions of peace long disturbed
by the instability and disorder which pre-
vailed for the greater part of the preceding
three decades. and build up that tranquil de-
be Of the lon state whereby alone
claimed in the joint resolution adopted by the
congress con on the 10th Of April, 1885, by Which
or or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdic-
ton or control over Cuba, except for the
paclncatlon thereof, and asserted it's deter
nination when that was accomplished to leave
the government and control of the island to
The pledges contained III this reso-
luton is of the highest honorable
obligation and must be sacredIy
kept.
,aa believe He that substantial progress has been
measures adopted in Cuba have aimed to ST II
Tor regenerated existence by enforcing the
s!Haxa Of law and Justice; by placing
istration In the hands of the inhabitants; by
instituting needed sanitary reforms; BY
trade; by intoxicating public morality, and in
short by taking every rational step to aid the
e ana t. plane nt Of self
fits an enlightened community for self-govern-
ment within its own sphere, while enabling it
TO 1uinll all outward obligations This nation
has assumed before the world
A Grave Responsibilities.
for the future good government of Cuba. We
calls for the sternest integrity of purposes
and the exercise of the highest wisdom
past must need be bound to us by ties of
singular intimacy and strength if it's enduring
shall be organic or conventional, the destinies
OF cuba are IN some rightfu form and man
ned hp sa y I'm with our own but how
the ripeness Of events. Whatever be the out
come. We must see to it that free Cuba be
reality not name; perfect entity, not q
hasty experiment. bearing within itself the
elements Of failure; Our mission, to accom-
is not to be fulfilled by turning adrift any
loosely framed commonwealth to face the
states. whose natural wealth and abundant
resources are offset by the incongruties Of
their political organization and the recurring
occasions for internal riHalries to sap their
strength and disspate their energies. The
greatest blessing which can come to Cuba is
the restoration of her agricultural and in
dustrial prosperity. which will give employ
ment to idle men and re-establish the pursuits
of peace. This is
Her Chief and Immediate Need.
On the It'll of August last an order was
made for the taking of the census of the ISL
and, to be completed on the Both of November.
BY the treaty of peace the Spanish people on
the island have until April IL, 1900, to elect
whether they will remain citizens of Spain or
become citizens of Cuba. Until then 1t cannot
be definitely ascertained who shall be entitled
to participate in the formation of the govern
ment of Cuba. By that time the results of
the census will have been ,tabulated and we
snail proceed to provide for elections which
WIN commit the municipal governments of the
Island to the officers elected by the people.
The experience thus acquired will prove Of
great value in the formation of represents
alive convention OF the people to draft con-
etituton and establish q general system Of
Independent government for the island. In
the meantime and so long rs we exercise con.
troll over the island the products Of Cuba are
to have market in the United States on as
good terms and as favorable rates OF duty "a
are given to the West India islands, until the
For the relief Of tie distressed In the island
OF Cuba the war department Issued suppiiss
to the destitute people through the once Of