Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-06
NO RECOMMENDATION
As to the Form of Government Which
Shall be Established When the Rebellion
is Ouelled-Left TO Congress.

is Ouelled-Left to Congress.
1t does not seem desirable that I should
recommend al this time a specific and final
form of government for these islands
When peace shall be restored it will be the
duty of Congress to construct a plan of
government which shall establish and
maintain freedom and order and peace in
the Philippines. The instruction is still
existing, and when it terminates further
information will be required as to the ac-
tual condition of affairs before inaugurat-
ing permanent scheme of civil govern
ment. The full report of the commission,
now in preparation, will contain informa-
ton and suggestions which will be of value
to Congress, and which 1 will transmit as
soon as it is completed. As long as the
instruction continues the military arm
must necessarily be supreme. But there is
no reason why steps should not be taken
from time to time to inaugurate govern
ments
ESSENTIALLY POPULAR
in their form as fast as territory is held or
controlled by our troops To this end l am
considering the advisability of the return
of the commission, or such of the mem
bers thereof as can be secured, to ala the
existing authorities and facilitate this
work throughout the islands. l have be-
lieved that reconstruction should not be-
gin by the establishment of one civil gov
eminent for all the islands, with its seat
at Manila, but rather that the work should
be commenced by building UP from the
bottom, first establishing municipal gov
ernnents anu then provincial governments,
a central government at last to follow
Until Congress shall have made known
the formal expression of its Will l shall
use the authority vested in me by the con-
stitution and the statutes to uphold the
sovereignty of the United States in those
distant islands as in all other places where
our flag rightfully floats. l shall put at
the disposal of the army and navy all the
means which the liberality of Congress and
the people have provided TO cause this I'M
provoked and
WASTEFUL INSTRUCTION
to cease. If any orders of mine were re-
quired to insure the merciful conduct of
military and naval operations, they would
not be lacking; but every step of the pro-
gress of our troops has been marked by a
humanity which has surprised even the
misguided insurgents. The truest kind
ness TO them will be swift and effective
defeat of their present leader. The hour
of victory will be the hour of elemency
and reconstruction. No effort will be spared
to build up the waste places desolated by
war and by long years of misgovernment
We shall not wait for the end of strife to
begin the benefcent work. We shall con-
tinue, 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 every way in our
power to make these people whom Provi-
dence has brought within our jurisdiction
feel that it is their liberty and not our
power, their welfare and not our gain, we
are seeking to enhance. Our f1ag has never
waved over any community but in bless
ing. I believe the Philippines will soon re-
cognize the fact that it has not lost its gift
Of benediction in its worldwide journey to
their shores.