The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-12-14

ried on TINS unweIcome out most righteous
campaign with richly deserved success.
The noble self-sacrihce with which our
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 ut the front, forms one oil the
brightest pages in our annals.
Although their operations have been
somewhat interrupted and checked by
n rainy seasoD Of unusual violence and
duration, they have gained ground stead
fly In every direction and now look for
ward confidently to speedy completion OF
their task.
Mr.. Mckinley then tells OF the establish
ment OF government In the ISLAND OF
Negros, the first island to accept American
sovereignty, and gives to Congress the
principal features OF the constitution un-
der which It's affairs are now being carried
on Professionally.
He next tells OF the succession OF the
United States to the rights OF Spain over
the Sulu Islands, and says the article which
provides that any slave In the archipelago
OF Jolo shall have the right OF purchasing
freedom by paying to the master the usual
market value Is not to be deemed In any
way to authorize or give the consent otthe
United States to the existence OF slavery In
the Sulu Archipelago.
Whatever the future OF the Philippines
may be, there Is no course open to us now
except the prosecution of The war until the
insurgents are reduced to submission. The
commission is OF the opinion that there
has been no time since the destruction OF
the Spanish squadron by Admiral Dewey
when it was possible to withdraw our
forces from the islands either with honor
TO ourselves or with safety to the inhabi-
tants.
The future government OF the Philippines
rests with the Congress OF the United
FN..N. Nl.tl hu.v.
ever been contlded to us. IL we accept
them In n spirit worthy of our race and our
traditions, great opportunity comes with
them. The Islands lie under the shelter OF
our flag. They are ours by every title OF
law and equity. They cannot DO abandoned.
II we desert them we leave them ut once
10 anarchy and finally to barbarism. We
fling them, golden apple OF discord,
among tho rival powers, no ono OF which
could permit another to seize them un-
questioned.
The suggestion has been made that we
could renounce our authority over the ISL
ands and, giving them independence, could
retain protectorate over them. This pro-
position will not be found, ! nm sure,
worthy OF your serious attention. Snch an
arrangement would Involve Mt the outset
cruel breach OF faith. II would place tho
peaceable and loyal majority. who ask moth
ing better than to accept our authority, Mt
tnb mercy OF tle minority OF armed lDSur-
gents. 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, 1t would tako
from the Congress OF the United States the
power of declaring war, aud vest that tre-
inendous prerogative ia the Tagal leader
OF the hour.
The President does not deem il desirable
to recommend at this time tho specific and
final form of government for the island
leaving that to Congress when peace Is
fully restored.
But he believes that reconstruction
should not begin by the establishment of
one central civil governn ent, with its sent
Mt Manila, but rather first establishing mu-
nlclpnl governments and then provincial
governments and central governments at
last to follow.
Concerning Hawaii, President Mckinley
says 1t is important that an act should DO
passed erecting these islands into IL judi
clal district and providing for the appoint
ment of u judge and other officers.
About Alaska.
He then calls attention to the necessity
for Immediate legislative relief In the
territory OF Alaska, the population having
increased so rapidly that more pie facil-
tiles for local self-government are needed.
He also recommends that legislation to the
same end be had with reference to Porto
Rico.
Mr.. Mckinley repeats in his message the
words he used in his inaugural address
concerning lynchings In the United States.
He calls upon the people or the country to
faithfully uphold the right OF trial by jury.
On the subject of the civil service the
President says that the amendment pro-
mulgated by the executive order OF May
30, 1899, to the order OF May &, 1896 were
made when 1t became evident to the heads
OF departments that the amendments were
necessary to an efficient and Harmonious
administration of tho departments. He
claims that the results obtained show that
the public service has improved and that
the civil service system is relieved OF many
OF its Objectionable features.
Anniversary of Washing toms Death.
In conclusion. the President says:
The 14th of December will be the One
Hundredth Anniversary OF the death OF
Washington. For a hundred years the Re-
public has had the priceless advantage OF
the lofty standard of character and con-
duct which he bequeathed to the American
people. II Is an Inheritance which time,
instead OF wasting continually, increases
and enrichos. We may justly hope that in
the years to come the benignant influence
Ol tue rUlntr Ol MS country may Do even
more potent for good than in the century
which is drawing to close. have been
glad to learn that in many parts OF the
country the people viii fttingly observe
this historic anniversary.
Presented 10 this Congress are great OPP
portunitles. With them come great re-
sponslblities. The power connded to us
Increases the weight OF our obligations to
the people, and we must be profoundly sen.
| sible OF them as we contemplate the new
and grave problems which confront US
Aiming only at the public good, We
can not err. A right Interpretation Of
| the peoples will and of duty can moi
| fail to insure wise measures for the welfare
| OF the islands which have come under
the authority OF the United States. and in
| ure to the common interest and lasting
honor OF our country. Never has this Ma
tion had more abundant cause than dur
Ing the past year for thankfulness to Goo
for manifold blessings and mercies fol
which we make reverent acknow edgment
| WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
1