The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-21
MUST FACE 1'HB CRISIS
President Mckinley Speaks Plain
~ at the Home Market Club
Banquet in Boston.
THE PHILIPPINE POLICY
Future Conduct of the Islands Will
Be Left to Congress Nation
Will Not Finch.

| L4uAouuy OVOA1ASSs "A4OA III HAIU was
"Mr. Toast,naster and Gentlemen
The years go quickly. It seems not sc
long, but it is in fact six years since il
was my honor to be a guest Of the
Home Market club Much has hap
pened in the intervening time. Issues
which were then engaging us have
been settled or put aside for larger and
more absor bing one. Domestic condi
! tions have improved and are generally
satisfactory. We have made progress in
industry and have realized the prosper
| ity for which we have been striving.
We have had four long years Of advers-
| ity, which taught us some lessons
which will never be unlearned and
which will be valuable in guiding our
future action. We have not only been
successful in our financial and business
affairs, but have been successful in a
war with a, foreign power which added
great glory to American arms and a
chapter to history.
Il do not know why in the year 1899
this republic has Unexpectedly had
placed before it mighty problems which
it must face and meet. They have come
and are here and they could not be kept
away. Many who were impatient for
the conflict a year ago, apparently heed
less Of its larger results, were the first
to cry out against the far-reaching con-
sequences of their own act Those Of us
who dreaded war most and whose every
effort was directed to prevent it had
fears of new and grave problems which
might follow it's inauguration.
s'The evolution of events which no
man could control has brought these
problems upon us. Certain it is that
they have not come through any fault
on cur own part. but as high obliga-
tion, and we meet the with clear con-
science and unselfsh purpose and with
good heart resolve to undertake their
solution. War was declared in April,
1898, with practical unanimity by the
congress and, once upon us, was sustain
ed by like unanimity among the people.
There had been many who had tried to
avert it, as on the other hand, there
were many who would have precipitat-
ed it at an earlier date. In it's prosecu-
tion and conclusion, the great majority
of our countrymen of every section be-
lieved they were fighting in a just
cause, and at home or at sea. or in the
field, they had art in the glorious tri-
umphs
Tt was the war of the undivided ma
tion. Every great act in its progress.
from Manila to Santiago, from Guam
to Porto Rico, met universal and hearty
commendation. The protocol COM
lnanded the practically unanimous ap-
proval of the American people; it was
welcomed by every lover of peace be-
meath the flag.
1.-The PHILIPPINES. like Cuba and Porto
Rico, were entrusted to our hands by
the war, and to that great trust, under
the province of God and in the name Of
human progress and civilization, we
are committed. It is trust we have
not sought; it is not trust from which
we will finch.
1.-THE American people will hold up
the hands of their servants at home to |
whom they commit its execution, while |
Dewey and Otis and the brave men
whom they command will have the sup
port of the country in upholding our
flag where it now floats, the symbol
and assurance Of liberty and justice.
What nation was ever able to write
an accurate programme of the war upon
which it was entering, much less de.
cree in advance the scope of its results?
Congress can declare war. but a
higher power DEGREES its bounds and
fixes its relation and responsibilities.
The president can direct the movement
of soldiers on the field and fleets upon
The sea. but he cannot forsee the close
of such movements or prescribe their
limits. He cannot anticipate or avoid
he consequences. but he must meet
hem.
1--WE hear no complaint Of the rela.
ions created BY war between this gov.
'rnment and the islands Of Cuba and
Porto Rico. There are some. however,
Who regard the Philippines a. In dif.
erent relation. but whatever variety
It views there may be on this phase Of
he question, there 10 universal AeYee.
nent that the Philippines shall not b
urned back 10 Spain. II
mo true American consents TO that.
Even II unwilling to accspe them our. ]
elves. u would have bsen weak eva. !,
don Of manly duty 10 require Spain 10
xansfer them TO some other power or
,oWogo. and thus shirk oux own ranuon.