The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-12-08

government cannot be thoroughly estab.
llshed until order is restored With de.
votlon and gallantry worthy of its most
brilliant history, the army, ably and 10y
ally assisted by the navy, has carried on
TINS unwelcome, but most righteous cam
palgn with richly deserved success. The
noble self sacrifice with which our sol
diers and sailors, whose terms of ser ice
had expired, refused to avail themselves
OF their right to return home as long MS
they were needed at the front, forms one
or the brightest pages in our annals. AL
though their operations have been some
what interrupted: and checked by a rainy
season of unusual violence and duration,
they have gained ground steadily in every
direction and now look forward confident
ly to a speedy completion of their task.
The unfavorable circumstances con,
nected with an active campaign have not
been allowed to interfere with the equally
important work Of reconstruction. l in.
vite your attention to the report of the
commissioners for the interesting and en-
couraging details of the work in the cs-
adjustment of peace and Inauguration of
sell governing municipalities in many
portions OF the archipelago. A notable
beginning has been made in the estab-
llshment OF government in the island Of
Negros, which Is deserving of special con
slderation. This was the first island to
accept American sovereignty. Its people
unreservedly proclaimed allegiance to tho
United States and adopted constitution
| looking to popular government. 1t was
impossible to guarantee to the people of
Negroes that The constitution so adopted
should be the ultimate form of govern.
ment. Such action under the treaty with
Spain and in accordance with our own
constitution and laws, comes exclusively
| within the jurisdiction of congress.
Treaty With Sultan OF sulu.
! The authorities of the Sulu Islands have
accepted the succession Of the United
States to tho right Of Spain, and our flag
floats over that territory. On the 10th Of
Aug ST. 1899, Brigadier General Bates
negotiated an agreement with the sultan
ard his principal chiefs, which transmit
herewith. BY article the sovereignty Of
the United States over the whole archi.
pelago Of Jolo and It's dependencies is de.
clared and acknowledged.
The United States flag will be used In
the archipelago and its dependencies on
land and sea. Piracy is to be suppressed
and the sultan agrees to co. operate heart
lily with the United States authorities to
that end, and to mako every possible
effort to arrest and bring to justice per-
sons engaged in piracy. All trade in do
mestic products Of the archipelago of Jolo
when carried on with any part Of the
, philippine islands and under the Ameri.
can Islands, shall be free, unlimited and
undutiable. The United States will give
; full protection to the sultan In case any
o. n Inn chn,, a
upon him. The United States will not
sell the island of Jolo or any other island
OF the Jolo archipelago to anyloreign no
ton without the consent of the sultan,
Salaries for the sultan and his associates
In the administration of the islands have
, been agreed upon to the amount of $3.50
monthly.
Article X provides that any slave in the
archipelago of Jolo shall have the right to
purchase freedom by paying to the mas.
ter the usual market value. The agree
lnent by General Bates was made subject
to confirmation by the president and to
the future notifications by the consent of
the parties In interest. have confirmed
said agreement, subject to the action Of
the congress, and with the reservation,
which have directed shall be commune
Gated to tho sultan Of Jolo, that this
agreement Is not to be deemed in any way
to authorize or give the consent of the
United States to the existence Of slavery
In the Sulu archipelago. I communicate
these facts to the congress for its informa-
tion and action. Everything indicates
that with the speedy suppression of the
Tagalo rebellion life in the archipelago
will soon resume its ordinary course
under the protection OF our SOVEREIGNTY
and the people Of those favored is
lands will enjoy prosperity and free.
dom which they have never before known,
Already hundreds Of schools are open and
filled with children. Religious freedom
Is saoredly secured and enjoyed. The
courts are dispensing justice. Business
Is beginning to circulate in its accustomed
channels Manila, whose inhabitants
were fleeing to the country few months
ago, Is now populous and thriving mart
of commerce The earnest and unremit.
ting eadeavors Of the commission and the
admiral and major general commanding
the department of the Pacific to assure
the people Of the benefcent intentions Of
disagreement have had their legitimate
effect IN convincing the great mass of
them that peace and safety and prosper.
ity and stable government can only be a
loyal acceptance Of the authority Of the
United States,
Future OF the Filipinos.
The future Of the Philippines rests with
the congress of the United States. Few
graver responsibilities have ever been
conftded to u.s. If we accept them in
spirit worthy Of our race and our tradi.
tons great opportunity comes with
them. The islands lie under the shelter
Of our flag. They are ours by title Of law
and equity. They cannot lie abandoned.
II we desert thom. we leave them at once
to anarchy and finally to barbarism. We
fling them, golden apple o, discord,
among tho rival powers no one of which
could permit another to seize them un-
questioned. Their rich plains and valleys
would be the scene Of endless strife and
bloodshed. The advent Of Dewey's fleet
in Manila bay, instead Of being, as we
hope, the dawn Of a new day of freedom
and progress, will have been the BEGIN.
ming Of an era Of misery and violence
worse than any which has darkened their
unhappy past. The suggestion aas been
made that we could renounce our author.
ity over the islands, and, giving them in.
dependence, could retain q protectorate
over them. This proposition will not be
found, am sure, worthy Of your serious
attention. Such an arrangement would
involve at the outset q cruel breach OF
faith. 1t would place the peaceable and
loyal majority, who ask nothing better
than to accept our authority, at the mercy
Of the minority Of armed insurgents. 1t
would make us responsible for the acts of
the insurgent leaders and give us no
power to control them. 1t would charge