Arizona republican., 1899-09-05
PHGNIx. SEPTEMBER 5.lsee.
THE PRESIDENTS POSITION.

The speech delivered by President
 Mckinley at Pittsburg ought to be
 read by every American citizen. It
 was the speech Of brave and co1sci-
 entious executive For months he had
 been subjected to the abuse and the
 condemnation of a major portion of
 the democratic press and of a few dis
 satisfied republican papers, and repub lican individuals. He had kept silent
 under these assaults not alone upon
 his official course, but directed at him
 in a personal way that is as unjust as it is unreasonable When the presi- dent spoke to the returning volunteers at Pittsburg the opportunity was of- fered-and no better time and no filter / occasion could have been presented- to answer in part the criticisms Of his opponents and to assume for himself whatever measure of personal respc-l- sibility there may be for him. The president spoke directly to the return
 ing soldiers and of the magnificent
 work done by them and their com rades in Luzon. He spoke with evi dent feeling, being deeply impressed with the serious problem that has come as the aftermath of the war of last year to vex and annoy and hsFass. There was no hesitancy and nc apolo- gies and no weakening. The follow ing paragraphs from his speech, are worth reading and remembering:
 They did not stack arms. They did ---,,~ the insurgents in the Philippines or their sympathizers at home. They had no part or patience with the men, few in number happily, who would | have rejoiced to have seen them lay 1 down their arms in the presence Of an enemy whom they just emancipated | from Spanish rule and who should l have been our warmest friends.
 As to the cruel leaders who have i needlessly sacrificed the lives Of thou sands of their people. at the cost Of some of our best blood, for the gratifi- l will leave to others the ungracious task of justification and eulogy.
 take all the responsibility for that direction. Otis cnly executed the or ders of his government. and the sol diers, under great provocatlon to strike back. obeyed.
 The first blow was struck by the in surgents. Our kindness was recipro- cated with cruelty, our mercy with Mauser. The flag cf truce was invoked cnIy to be dishonored Our soldiers were shot down when ministering to the wounded Filipinos Our humanity as KEP9 knees O;1r for bearance attributed to cowardice.
 They assailed our sovereignty. and there will be no useless barley no pause until the insurrection is sup pressed and American authority ac- knCwledged and established. The misguided followers in rebellion have only our charity and pity.
 Our prayers go with them. and more men and munitions if required, for the speedy suppression of the Tebellion the establishment of peace and tran quility and a government under the undisputed sovereignty of the United States; government which will do justice to all and at once encourage the best efforts and aspirations Of these distant people and the highes: development of their rich and fertile lands.
 There is 10 backing and filling in these words. The president, in the language of 3 gentleman, paid his com pliments to the Atkinsons and others of that tribe and branded thm, prac- tically, as the enemy in the rear at this time. He went further and took upon himself as commander-in-chief of the land and naval forces, the full responsibility for the campaign in Lu- zon. No man could do more, and the president has revealed himself as enc not inclined to shift upon others the odium few carpers would place upon him and his administration. He tells the truth as to the provoking cause Of the trouble and his words should make it clear that the first act to be ac- ccmplished is that Of securing psace. When that is brought about he is ready and willing and anxious to So adjust affairs in the Philippines that the government then provided will be for the best interest of all the people there and not for the enhancement of tho personal ambition Of the "cruel leaders" who have held the ignorant masses in line by threats and brutal treatment to stand against the United States.
 We believe the speech made by tEe president will have 3 g"-d effect net