Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1899-05-18

against the lawful authority OF the United
States. We believe that such condition of
insurrecton has arisen from course of
events which, when once instituted, has
moved with irresistible sequence to the
present situation: that this course of events
began with the barbarites practiced by the
Spanish government toward the nhabit-
ants of the island of Cuba. These bar
barities were continued by the Spanish au-
thorities in spite of our protestauonS and
entreaties through series of years for an
amelioration of these dreadful conditions,
and finally eliminated in the destruction of
our war vessel, the Maine. In the harbor
OF Havana.
EVERY step which followed has been the
inevitable sequent of the preceding event
war between the two nations, the success
of American arms, and the consequences
which attach to the conquest of an armed
foe. Among these consequences were the
occupation of the Philippine Islands by
the American navy and military forces,
and the substitution during the remainder
of the war of a sovereignty of the con-
queror for that of the conquered. In the
Philippine islands, with the exception of a
single year. Spanish sovereignty has been
complete since the sixteenth century.
Spain collected the taxes, held the fortifica-
tions, appointed all the civil officers. Span
ish viceroys Spanish judges, and Spanish
courts administered the laws, which We're
proclaimed by the Spanish government and
enforced by the Spanish army and navy.
'rhe sudden destruction of the soVer-
eighty compelled the substitution of the
sovereignty of the conqueror. No other
government in the archipelago was compe-
tent to receive the authority surrendered
by Spain. Our government had to accept
and assume the responsibilities of the situ-
alton and execute the duties deVolVed upon
1t by change in the administration of the
laws The only alternative was to surren-
der he n @ foreign
selfish intervention. No other course was
compati with duty or with the dictates
of humanity. Therefore, after the conquest
in the harbor of Manila it was incumbHnt
on our government to protect life and
property throughout the archipelago.
1--WE recognize and declare the facts to
be that from the 18th day of August, 1888,
until the 4th day of February. 1899, peace
prevailed in Manila under the protection
of American arms: that on the day last
named an insurgent force assailed our
army in its Notifications and encampments
under the cover Of darkness, and by this
act of aggression inaugurated hostilities,
the first result of which was intended
to he wholesale massacre and the destruc-
tion of property within the city.
1--WE recite with sorrow the fact that the
chief announcement extended to the in
surgents has been from some of our mis-
guided felow-citizens, and to them must
be ascribed much of the bloodshed and
ruin which have followed.
1--WE further declare that the government
of the United States lsls sought in every
honorable way TO secure cessation of hos
tilities, as evinced by the appointment OF
commission fully authorized to treat with
the insurgents and to offer them peace and
amnesty. and by the action of our military
and naval authorities, who have at all times
been ready to protect those who would sur
render their arms and cease their warfare
against the government of the United
States
I'VE point to the fact that these efforts
of peace have been contumaciously reject
ed by the insurgents until it became mani
fest even to them that they were waging
hopeless war
"Second-We declare our belief in the
high honor and just action of our army and
navy in the Philippine islands. We believe
that our government has taken every step
that it should take TO secure peace and or
der. We believe that the administration,
representing the government, has highly
and fully discharged it's burdens in the
premises We consider ii our part to share
the burdens of our government rather
than to cmbarrass it's efforts and thus
prolong the conflict of arms.
"Third-We know that at this hour our
soldiers in arms are face to face with an
armed foe: and until the close of hostili-
ties we only know our country, It's army
and its navy, and it's executive. We pledge
to them while our flag snail be IN patue
our unfalterng support
"Fourth-We, as Americans, take pride
in the achievement of our army and navy,
both in the war with Spain and in the pres
ent military operations in the island of
Luzon. The heroism of officers and men
alike has shed renewed luster on American
arms. The cause in which they have
fought was and is just one They are now
fighting for the security of the lives OF
peaceable nOncombatants throughout the
archipelago. and in our just reprisal for an
unprovoked attack. We believe that the
sending of sedtious appeals to the Amerl-
can troops engaged in hostilities is an act
of reasonable character, and that every
appeal TO them to abandon their colors or
disregard their duty as soldiers merits the
lasting condemnation of every patriot.
"F'ifth-The government of the United
States should be, and we believe will be,
true to its principles in the disposition Of
all questions that may arise in the future
in our relationship with the people OF the
Philippine islands.
"Sixth-We regard the great issue OF the
hour to be the success Of our country IN
the performance of the duty which it owes
to civilization. Until this is assured-untiI
armed insurrection has ceased-we have no
terms to offer but the American terms Of
unconditional surrender