The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-12-06

scal violence and duration, they have
gained steadily ID every erection and
now look forward confidently 10 g speedy
completion Of their task.
Eyervrhlng indicates that with the
speedy suppression OF the Iagalo rebe:-
lion. life III the arciAelaso will soon
resume It's ordinary Course under tie
protection o: our sovereignty and the
peoD:e Of those favored islands will en-.
Joy q prosperity and freedom which
they have never before known.
Caunot BE- y Abandoned.
The future government of the Philip
pines rests with the congress OF the
United States. Fewer graver response
biltias have ever been contloed TO Us.
If we accept them in spirit worthy OF
our race and our traditions a great op'
portuaitv comes with them.
The islands lie 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 barbarism We fling them, a
golden apple of discord, among the rival
powers, no one of which could permit
another to seize them unquestloned.
Their rich plains and valleys would be
the scene of endless strife and blood
she'd
The advent of Dewey's fleet in Ma
Mia bay instead of being, as we hope,
the dawn Of a new day OF freedom and
progress, will have been the beginning
of an era OF misery and violence worse
than any which has darkened their un.
happy past.
The suggestion has been made that
we could renounce ocr authority over
the islands and giving them lndepen-
dence could retain protectorate over
them. This proposition will not be
found, am sure. worthy of your serl-
Gus attention Such an arrangement
would involve at the outset cruel
breach of faith. 1t would place the
peaceable and loyal majority, who ask
for nothing better than to accept our
authority, at the mercy OF the minority
armed insurgents.
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,
it would take from the congress OF the
United States the power Of declaring
war and vest that tremendous preroga-
tive in the Tagal leader OF the hour.
It does not seem desirable that l
should recommend at this time spe-
Of
these islands. When peace shall be re-
stored it will be the duty OF congress to
construct 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 information
will be required as TO the actual coRdl-
ton of affairs before 1nauguratlng a
permanent scheme Of civil government.
Until congress shall have made know
the formal expression OF it's will, shall
use the authority vested in me by the
constitution and the statutes to uphold
the sovereignty of the United States IN
those distant islands, as in all other
places where our flag rightfully floats.
Our flag has never waived over any
community but in blessing. l believe
the FiliDinos will soon recognize the
fact that it has not lost its gift Of bene-
diction in this worldwide journey to
their shores.
Porto Rican Affairs.
recommend that legislation be had
with reference TO the government Of
Porto Rico. Tie time is ripe for the
adoption of temporary form Of gov
ernment for this island.
It is desirable that the government of
the island, under the law Of bsiligerent
right, now maintained through the ex
ecutive department. sholld be super
seded by an administration entirely
civil in its nature. For the present pur-
pose I recommend that congress pass a
law for the organization of temporary
government which shall provide for the
appointment by the president, subject
to confirmation by the senate, Of gov
ernor and such other officers as the gen.
eral administration of the island may
require and for legislative purposes, On
subjects of local nature not partaklng
Of federal character.
A legislative council. composed partly
of Porto Ricans and partly of citizens
OF the United States, snail De nominated
and appointed by the president.
Lynch Law Condemned.
The love of law and the sense of obe-
dience and submission to the lawfully
constituted judicial tribunals, are en-.
bedded in the hearts of our people. and
any violation of these sentiments and
disregard of their obligations, justly
arouses public condemnation. The
guarantees of life, liberty, and of civil
rights. should be faithfully upheld, the
right of trial by jury respected and de-.
Tended.
Those who, in disregard of law and
the public peace, unwilling to await
the Judgment of court and jury. consti.
tute themselves judges and executioners
should not escape the ssverest penalties
for their crimes.
Great Opportunities.
Presented to this congress are great
opportunities; with them come great
responsibilities, The power conflded to
US increases the weight OF our ob!iga-
riorS ro rhe neOD;e and we must be pro.