The Somerset reporter., 1899-02-23
Pres. Mckinley at Boston.

One Of the most noted events Of last
week, was the reception rendered Pfesi-
dent Mckinley at the Home SaIket
Club, Boston, Thursday evening. Tie
banquet was All affair Of magnitude
there being 81 persons served at the
tables and 900 spectators President
Mckinley was accompanied by ecfefa-
ries, Long, Alger, Bliss, cage, and POST
masier-general smith.
OF course the speech Of President
Mckinley WAS the important feature and
we give extracts from it 70 show the
view ;he chief executive Of this great IA.
ton has upon the Philippine issue, now
uppermost in the minds Of our people
- he Philippines, like { uba and Porto
Rico, were intfnsted 10 our hands by the
war, and TO that great trust, under the
Providence Of God and IN the name of
human progress and civilization, We are
committed Ii is Il trust We have not
sought; il is a trust from which We will
not finch. The American people will
hold up the hands OF their servants at
home to whom they commit It's execu-
ton, while Dewey and Otis and the
brave men whom they command will
have the support Of the country in up
holding our flag where it now floats, the
symbol and assurance of liberty and
justice.
The treaty gave them To the United
States. Could We have requested less
and done our duty? Gould We after
freeing the Filipinos from the DONNA
ton of Spain, have left them without
government and without power to pro-
tect life or property or To perform the
international obligations essential to an
independent state Gould we have left
them in "A state of anarchy and justified
ourselves.
We hear no complaint Of the relations
created by the war between this govern
ment and the islands of Cuba aud Porto
Rico. There are some, however who
regard the Philippines as in a different
relation; but whatever variety of views
there may be on this phase of the qnes-
ton, there is universal agreement that
the Philippines shall not be turned back
to Spain.
We could not discharge the RESPONSE.
bilities upon us until these islands be
came ours either by conquest or treaty
There was but one alternative, and that
was either Spain or the United States in
the Philippines. The other suggestions
first, that they should be tossed into
the arena of contention for the strife of
nations; or, second, be left to the an.
archy and chaos of no protectorate at
all-were too shameful to be considered.
The future of the Philippine islands is
now in hands of the American people.
Until the treaty was ratified or rejected
the executive department of this govern
ment could only preserve and protect
life and property. That treaty now
commits the free and enfranchised Fill
pinos to the guiding hand and liberaliz-
ing influences, the generous sympathies,
the uplifting education, not of their
American masters, but of their Ameri-
can emancipators No one can tell to-
day what is best for them OF for us.
know no one at this hour who is wise
enough or sufficiently informed to de
termine what form of government will
best subserve their interests and our
interests, their and our we'll being.
This whole subject is now with Con
gress, and Congress is the voice, the
conscience, and the judgment of the
American people. Upon their judgment
and conscience can We not rely? | be.
lieve in them, | trust them. | know no
better or safer human tribunal than the
people. Until Congress shall direct
otherwise, it will be the duty of the
executive to possess and hold the Phil
ippines, giving 10 the people thereof
peace and order and beneticent govern
ment, affording them every opportunity
to prosecute their lawful pursuits, en-
couragIng them in thrift and industry,
making them feel and know that we are
their friends, not their enemies, that
their good is our aim, that their welfare
is our welfare, but that neither their
aspirations nor ours can be realized IN
til our authority is acknowledged and
unquestioned.
If we can benefit these remote peoples
who will object? If in the years of the
future they are established in govern
ment under law and liberty, who will
regret our perils and sacrifices? Who
will not re ioice in our heroism and hn-
mainly.
Always perls. and always after them
safety; always darkness and clouds, but
always shining through them the light
and the sunshine; always cost and sacri-
fee. but always after them the fruition
of liberty, education and civilization.
nave no light or knowledge not COM
mon to my eountrymen. | do not proph-
esy. The present is al absorbing to
me, but can not bound ny vision by
the blood stained trenches around Ma
Mia, where every red drop, whether
from the veins of an American soldier
OF misguided Filipino, is anguish Ia
my heart; but by the broad range nt