The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-12-08


right to return home as long rs they were need
ed at the front forms one Of tho brightest pages
in our annals Although their operations have
been somewhat interrupted and checked by .
rainy season Of unusual violence and duration.
they have gained ground steadily in every direc-
ton, and now look forward confidently to .
speedy completion of their task.
The unfavorable circumstances connected
with an active campaign have not been permit.
ted to interfere with the equally important work
of reconstruction. AGAIN, I invite your atten.
ton to the report Of the commissioners for the
Interesting and encouraging details OF the work
already accomplished in the establishments OF
peace and order and the Inauguration OF self
governing municipal life in many portions Of
the archipelago.
communicate these facts to the congress for
its Information and action. Everything indi-
Gates that with the speedy suppression Of tho
Tagalo rebellion. life In the archipelago will
soon assume its ordinarycourse under the pro-
lection Of our sovereignty and the people OF
these favored islands viii enjoy o prosperity
and q freedom which they have never before
known. Already hundreds Of schools arc
open and filed with children. Religious free.
dom is sacredly assured and enjoyed. Tho
courts are dispensing justice. Business Is be-
ginning to circulate in its accustomed channels.
Manila. whose inhabitants were fleeing to the
county a few months ago, is now populous
and thriving mart OF commerce. The earnest
and unremitting endeavors of the commission
ing the department Of the Pacific to assure tho
people Of the benefcent intentions of this gov
eminent, have had their legitimate effect in
convincing the great mass Of them that peace
and safety and prosperity and stable govern
ment can only be fourd In o loyal acceptance OF
the authority Of the United States.
The future government of the Philippines
rests with the congress Of the United States.
Few graver responsibilities have ever been
confided to us. II we accept them In q spirit
orSH, v<nHN md 0p,n fHadS onA
opportunity comes with them The islands lilo
under the shelter OF our flag. They are ours by
every title OF law and equity. They cannot
be abandoned. II we desert them we leave
them at once to anarchy and finally to barbar-
ism We ding tn M q golden apple OF dtscord.
among the rival powers, no one Of which could
permit another to seize them unquestioned.
Their rich plains and valleys would be tho
the scene Of endless strife and bloodshed- Tho
advent of Dewey's fleet in Manila bay instead
of being. we hope, the dawn Of O new day OF
freedom and progress, W. IL have been the begin.
ming Of an cru 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 give them independence, could retain q pro-
tectorate over them. This proposition will not
be found, am sure, worthy of your serious at
tentiOn. Sucn an arrangement would involve
at the out let cruel breach of faith It would
place the peaceable and majority, who ask moth
ing better than to accept our authority, at tho
mercy Of armed insurgents. It would make us
responsible for the acts OF the insurgent leaders
and give us no power to control them It would
charge US with the task of protecting them
against each other. and defending them against
any forei power with which they chose to
quarrel In short, it would take from the con-
gress Of the United States the power Of declar-
ing war and vest that tremendous prerogative
in the Tagalo leader of the hour.
1t does not seem desirable that should rec
OYyonnp n n Snnei8N
Of government for these islands. When peace
shall be restored it will be the duty Of congress
to construct a plan Of government which shall
establish and maintain freedom and order and
peace in the Philippines. The insurrection Is
still existing and when it terminates further in
formation will be required as to the actual con-
dition Of affairs before inaugurating perma-
nent scheme Of civil government. The full re-
port Of the commission. now in preparation.
will contain Information and suggestions which
will be Of value to congress and which I will
transmit soon as 1t is completed.
IShall put at the disposal Of the army and
navy all the means which the liberality Of con-
gross and the people have provided to cause
this unprovoked and waSteful insure :tion to
cease. If. any oriers Of mine were required to
insure the merciful conduct Of military and
naval operations, they would not be lacking:
but every step Of the progress OF our troops has
been marked by q humanity which has sur
prised even the misguided insurgents. Tho
truest kindness to them will be swift and eff
fective defeat OF their present leader Tho
hour Of victory will be an hour Of clemency and
reconstruction.
No effort will be made to build up the waste
places desolated by war and long years of mis-.
government. We shall not wait for the end Of
the strife to begin the benefcent work. We
shall continue, we have begun. to open tho
schools and the churches to set the courts in
operation. to foster industry and trade and ag-
riculture and in every way in our power to
make these people whom Providence has
brought within our Jurisdiction feel that 1t II
their liberty and not our power, their welfare
and not our gain that we are seeking to
enhance. Our flag has never waved over any
community but in blessing. believe the Fill
pinos will soon recognize the fact that it has
not lost its gilt OF bcne iiction in its worldwide
journey to their shores
Recommendations for Porto Rico.
The system Of civil jurisprudence now adopted
by the people Of Porto Rico is described by
competent lawyers who are familiar with it az
thorou. hly modern and scientific so far as it re-
lates to matters OF internal business, trade
production and social and private rights in gen.
, eraL The cities OF the island are governed I'm.
der charters which probably require very little
or no change. So that with relation to matters
of local concern and private right it Is not
probable that much il any legislation is desir.
able; but with reference to public administers
ton and the relations OF the islands to the fed.
eral government there are m my matters which
! are of pressing urgency
The fundamental requirement for these peo-
pie for all people, is education. The FREQ
schoolhouse IS the best preceptOr for citizen
ship. In the introduction of modern educa-
tional methods Gaze. however, must be exer.
! cised that CHI ,nzes be not made too abruptly
al 1 ~ -v-l Al a.. IA IT,