Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-12-12

az TIE IepUUIlcS OIL SOUC0 ana CSOCrul
America are now represented in it.
Thus interpreted the convention at The
Hague for the pasific settlement Of inter-
national conflicts, may be regarded as re-
aiizing the earnest desire Of great num-
bers of American citizens, whose deep
sense of judgment expressed in numer-
Gus resolutions and memorials, has urged
them to labor for this noble achievement.
The general character of this convention.
already signed by the delegates of more
than twenty sovereign states, further
commends it to the favorable action of
the Senate of the United States, whose
ratification it still awaits.
The Army and Navy.
The President reviews the deeds of the
army and recommends that the Congress
provide a special medal of honor for the
volunteers, regulars, sailors and marines
on duty in the Philippines, who volun-
tarily remained in the service after their
terms of enlistment had expired
The navy has maintained the spirit
and high efficiency which have always
characterized that service and has lost
none of the gallantry in heroic action
which has signalized its brilliant and glo-
rious past. The nation has equal pride
in its early and later achievements. It's
habltual readiness for every emergency
has won the confidence and admiration
Of the country.
Pensions of Widows.
In the matter of pensions, the Presi-
dent heartily recommends the policy of
the commissioner of pensions that the
amount of income allowed to widows of
soldiers independent of the proceeds of
her daily labor, should be not less than
$3.50 per annum, and urges that the Con
gress shall SO amend the act as to permit
the pension office to grant pensionable
status to widows under the terms of
the third section of the act of June %,
1890, whose income aside from the pro-
ceeds of daily labor is not in excess Of
S20O per annum.
Our Duty in the PHI lippines.
A large portion of the message is taken
up with the Philippine question. After
reciting all the events leading up TO the
revolt by Aguinaldo, the President says:
The rebellion must be put down. Civil
government cannot be thoroughly estab
lished until order is restored. With deyo-
ton and gallantry worthy of its most bril-
liant history, the army ably and Loyalty as
sisted by the navy, has carried on this I'M
welcome, but most righteous campaign
with richly deserved success The noble
self-sacrifce with which soldiers and
sailors whose terms of service had expired
refused to avail themselves of their right
to return home as long as they were needed
at the front forms one of the brightest
pages in our annals. Although their opera
lions have been somewhat interrupted and
checked by rainy season of unusual vio-
lence and duration, they have gained ground
steadily in every direction and look
forward confidently to a speedy completion
of their task.
Everything indicates that with the speedy
suppression of the Tagalo rebellion life il
the archipelago will soon resume its ordi-
nary course under the protection of our
sovereignty and the people of those favored
islands will enjoy a prosperity and Il free
dom which they have never before known.
rests with the Congress of the United
States. Few graver responsibilities have
ever been confded to US. If we accept
them in spirit worthy of our race and our
traditions, a government opportunity comes
with them. The islands lie under the shell
ter Of our flag, They are ours by every
title of law and equity. They cannot be
abandoned If we desert them, we leave
them at once to anarchy and finally to bar.
discord, among the rival powers no one Of
which could permit another to seize them
nynquestionsed Their rich plains and val,
and bloodshed. The advent of Dewey's
fleet in Manila bay instead of being, we
hope, the dawn of new day of freedom
of of misery and violence worse
than any which has darkened their unhappy
past. The suggestion has been made that
we could renounce our authority over the
islands and giving them independence, could
retain prOtectOrate over them. This prop
position will not OF, be found, l am m sure,
arrangement would involve at the outset
a cruel breach Of faith. 1t would place the
D0ac01DIo
nothing better than to accept our authority,
at the mercy of the minority Of armed in
surgents. 1t would make us responsible for
the acts Of the insurgent leaders, and give
us no power to control them. 1t would
charge US with the task Of protecting them
against each other, and defending them
against any foreign power with which they
chose to quarrel. In short, it would take
from the Congress of the United States the
power of declaring war and vest that trc-
mendous prerogative i'll the Tagal leader of
the hour.
It does not seem desirable that I should
recommend at this time specific and final
form of government fOf these islands.
When peace shall be restored it will be the
duty of Congress to construct plan of gov
eminent which shall establish and maintain
freedom and order and peace in the Philip
pines.
Until Congress shall have made known the
formal expression of it's will, shall use the
authority vested in me by the constitution
and the statutes to uphold the sovereignty
of the United States in those distant is
rightfully floats. | 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 unprovoked and
waSteful instruction to cease If any or
ders of mine We're required to insure the
merciful conduct of military and naval op-
eratiOns they would not be lacking; but ev
cry step of the progress of our troops has
been marked by humanity which has sur
truest Kindness to them will be q swift and
effective defeat of their present leader
The hour of victory will be the hour Of
clemency and reconstruction
The Hawaiian Situation.
Some embarrassment in administration
has occurred by reason of the peculiar
status which the Hawaiian islands at
present occupy under the joint resolution
Of annexation approved July Z, 1898.
The people Of these islands are entitled
to the benefits and privileges of our con-
stitution, but III the absence of any act of
Congress, providing for federal courts in
the islands, and for procedure by which
appeals, writs Of error and other judicial
proceedings necessary for the enforce
ment of civil rights may be prosecuted,
they are powerless to secure their en-
forcement by the judgment of the courts
of the United States. It is manifestly
important, therefore, that an act be
passed as speedily as possible erecting
these islands into a judicial district, pro-
Viding for the appointment of a judge
and other proper officers and methods of
procedure in appellate proceedings and
that the government Of this newly-ac-
quired territory, under the federal con-
stitution, shall be fully defined and pro