The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-30
Former ChapIain Of the Maine Said Holding
Of Islands Is a Necessity
THE WITHDRAWAL OF OUR TROOPS
Would Be Followed BY BIoodshsd and The United
States Would Be Held Up 10 The ScOrn Of
The Nations Of Tho World.

New York, Jan. 3o.-An immense
throng filled Carnegie hall last night to
hear the benent concert and the lecture
by Rev. John p. Chidwick. who was
chaplain OF the Maine on Our War Will
Spain: Its Causes and Results" pre-
ceded by what he saw Of the blowing up
OF the battleship. The concert and lee
ture was for the benefit OF Catholic
reading room for young men. the money
received for admissions being applied TO
the reading room and 10 the establish
ment of number OF such places through
out the city for the good of the 30 900 sea-
faring men.
Governor Roosevelt presided. Major
General Roe. with his staff Admirals
Erben and Miller, Lieutenant Com
msnder De@hanty Adjutant General
Avery ID. Andrews. Colonel Tresdweh.
Commodore Philip. Captain Goodrich
and hundreds of other officers were
present
Governor Roosevelt made brief adj
dress. after which Father Chidwick spoke
for an hour. giving an interesting ac-
count OF the sailing OF the Maine for
Havana, the experiences in Havana and
the blowing up of the ship. He spoke of
the heroism OF the sailors when the
catastrophe occurred and afterwards
when suffering i'm hospitals.
imperialism: what do they mean by
imperia lismt" said he in the course Of
his address. What does Il mean, this
departure from the settled policy OF the
nation? Must IL be that this policy,
thought out by the founders OF our gov
ernment. IL To be laid aside as useless
now? God forbid that ever imperialism
may find foothold I'm our country. For
the fathers know what Imperialism
meant thcY had learned IL from Eng
land when they fought for liberty. They
fought 10 establish the proposition. and
wrote it in blood. that All good govern
ments rests upon the will OF the gov
crned people. The strength OF our ma
ticn Is in the manhood and womanhood
OF Its people These have been developed
out of liberty in hope and ambition. |
believe that imperialism would be short
lived in this country were IL ever estab-
lished. We would not be able to hold on
toit. The whole tide OF the war is toward
republicanism. Shall We go back a step
in the progress OF the woHd?
II do not mean to arraign the govern
ment as il ii were responsible FOR such q
policy. ] firmly believe that there is no
greater American than President Nc
Kinley. The holding OF the Philippines
In not against the principles of our ma
tion. The holding of the islands lis ar
absolute necessity. Would it not be "a
leave the Inhabitants in bloodshed "a
withdraw the troops tomorrow? Would
We not he held up to the.scorn of history
n we should desert them now? We arc
bound to keep them. Whether wise or
not IL is now A necessity The treat,
docs not say that We are 10 hold then
eternally. but the American people mus,
not let them go back 10 Spain: but mus,
hold them till this nation can place then
as they must be placed. among the fire,
peoples of the earth. The pressure upor
the president to compel him TO formulat,
policy I'm regard 60 the Philippines 1,
wrong. He cannot formulate a polio,
In regard To a people OF whom We ar,
ignorant The islands must be kept lik'
Cuba till wise statesmanship can decide
what is the best policy toward them.@