The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-02-17

transfer them to some other power or
powers and thus shlrk our own reaponsi.
buity. Even II we had had. as we did
not have, the power to compel such n
transfer. Il could not have been made
without the most serious International
complications
Sucn course could not be thought OF
Aud yet. had We refused 10 accent +ho
cession Of them We should have haa no
power over them, oven for tbeir own
good. We could not discharge the res
possibilities upon us until ,bess
islands became ours clthcr con-
quest or treaty There was hut
one alternative and that was
either Spain or the United States In the
philippines. Tho other suggestions show
ca first that they should be tossed into
The arena for thc strife OF nations. or
second, be lost 20 tie anarchy ana chose
OF no protectorate at all. were too shame
ful TO be considered. The treaty gave
them 20 the United Statcs. Could we have
required less and don" our dutye Could
we after freeing the Philippines from the
domination Of Spain have left them With
out government ana without power 90
protect life and property or to perform
the International obligations essential to
an Independent state. Could we have leg.
them In n state OF anarchy and Dusti-
ned ourselves in our own conscience or
before the tribunal OF mankind? Could
We have done that In the sight Of God and
man2
our concern was not for territory or
trade or empire, but for the people whose
interests and destiny, without our willing
it. had been put In our hands II was
with this feeling that from tho first day
to the last not one word or line went
from the executive In Washington to our
military ana naval commanders az Ma
Mia or TO our peace commissioners at
Paris that did not put as the sole purpose
10 be kept In mind first after the success
Of our arms and the maintenance OF our
own honor, the welfare ana happiness
ana the rights of the inhabitants OF the
Did we need their consent
10 perform a great act for humanity We
had IT I'm every aspiration Of their minds.
In every hope OF their hearts. Was It
necessary to ask their consent TO cap
lure Mania, the capital of their islands
Did we ask their consent to llberate them
from Spanish sovereignty or to enter |
Manila bay and destroy the Spanish sea |
power there. We did not ask these; we |
we're obeying a hegher moral obligation |
which rested on us and which did not re-
lulre anybodys consent. We were doing |
lur duty by them with the consent OF our |
)wn consciences and with the approval OF |
civilization. Every present obligation has
been met and fulfilled In the expulsion |
"a Spanish sovereignty in their islands, |
and while the war that destroyed It was
n progress we could not ask their views. |
Nor can we now ask their consent.
Indeed, can any one tell me IN what |
.orm IL could be marshalled and ascer-
aimed until peace and order, so necessary |
@ reign OF reason, shall be secured and
established. A reign Of terror f. not the
,Ind of rule under which the right ac-
ion and deliberate judgment are possible.
I Is not a good time for the liberator 10
iberty and government 20 the liberated
while they are engaged in shooting down
neir rescurers. We have now ended the
war with Spain The treaty has been
'atlned by more than two thirds of the
ienate Of the United States and by the
Judgment OF nine tenth Of It's people No
lation was ever more fortunate IN war or
spain g. now eliminated from the prob
EN-.
WHAT IS BEST TO DO.
II Is sometimes hard TO determine what
{ best to do and the best thing 10 do IN
ften times the hardest. The prophet OF
vii would do nothing because he filnches
Il secrlhce and effort. and to do nothing
5 easiest and involves the least cost. On
hese who have things 20 do there rests
responsibility winch Is not on those who
nave no obligations as doers.
II the doubters were In majority
here wou d, Il Is true be no labor, no
acrihce, no anxiety and no burden rails
n or carried; or even to the extention OF
ur resources TO the welfare of ourselves.
There would be ase but, alas, there would
,e nothing done
But grave problems come in the life OF
nation however much men may seek
% avoid them. They come without our
eeking. why. we do not know. and It Is
rot always glven as 10 know. but the
,eneret ton on which they are forced can
rot avoid the responsibility OF honestly
thriving for their solution. We may not
lnow precisely how 10 solve them, but
We can make an honest effort to that end
md n made Ia conscience, justice and
lonor Il viii not be in vain.
The future Of the Philippine Islands is
low IN the hands Of the American people
JntE the treaty was ratified OF rejected
he executive department OF this govern
nent could only preserve the peace and
protect life and property, That treaty
low commits the free and enfranohised
to the guiding hand and the
iberalizing influences, the uplifting educa-
ion. not Of their American masters, but
"a their American emancipators. No one
AN tell today what Is best for them or
or us. / know no one at this hour who
: wise enough or sufficiently informed 10
determine what form Of government Will
best subserve their interests and our
their and our well being
INTUITION CAN'T TELL.
II we knew everything by lntuition-and
sometimes think there are those who be-
ieye that II we do not they dove should /
not need information; but unfortunately |
most Of us are not IN that happy state.
The whole subject Is now with |
congress and cangress. is the |
voice, the conscience and the judg- |
nent Of the American people. Upon their |
Judgment and conscience can we not rely2 |
believe IN them. / trust them. I know |
II no better or safer human tribunal than |
The people
Until congress Ehell direct otherwise.
L Will be the duty OF the executive 70 |
possess and hold the Philippines giving /
10 the peonla thereof peaoa and benen- |