The Norfolk weekly news., 1899-12-07

known the formal expression of its will,
| shall use the authority vested in me 10y
the constitution and the statutes to up
hold the sovereignty of thou nited States
in those distant islands as in all other
places where our flag rightfully floats.
| shall put ut the disposal of the army
and navy all the means which the lib
erality of congress and the people have
provided to cause this unprovoked and
wasteful insurrection to cease. If any
orders of mine were required 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 hu-
manity which has surprised even the
misguided insurgents. The truest
kindness 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 this benefcent 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 every
way in our power to make these people
whom providence 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 en-
hance. Our flag has never waved over
any community but in blessing. l be-
lieve the Filipinos will soon recognize
the fact that it has not lost it's gift of
benedicton in it's world d-wide journey to
their shores"
Ii this is not clear.cut, firm stand on
"a paramount question it would.be hard
to find one that is. That it required a
man of indoimitable will and purpose
to handle this matter is conclusive and
it is just as conclusive that the right
| iiluu iS nv Ilo uclLH L his ueCluIutiOu,
instead Of showing evil designs Of mill
tarism or imperialism, indicates that JUS
tice and clemency is the first considera.
ton. All that is asked of the Tagals is
that this government be given. .an oppor.
tunity to show what it can accomplish
for them and if not then satisfactory it
will be in their power to direct their
own affairs.
The relations Of the government with
foreign nations is reviewed at length
and recommendations in the treatment
of all questions are made. This review
indicates that the United States is fully
competent to uphold it's place as ole OF
the worlds powers. His recommends.
tions in regard to the Nicaragua cana
are especially worthy Of commendation
as everyone recognizes the Importance
Of this proposed gateway to the CONNER
cial world.
1t will surprise many to learn that
Alaska is placed in the same category
as the islands Of Hawaii and Porto Rico
and that the same legislation in each
instance is recommended. If the gov
ernment is expanding and assuming i'm.
perialistic airs now it was doing the same
when Alaska was purchased, and what
will be necessary in the government OF
Alaska will apply in regard to other
possessions not part Of the mainland
The president pays high tribute tt
the army and navy and especially to the
volunteers, in which all will conincide
President McKinley's message will e
down in history as one Of the most i'm
portant documents ever issued.