The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-12-08
mr., M'KINLEY MAKES
HIS RECOMMENDATIONS.

Continued from Page Three.)
outset a cruel breach of faith. Il would
place the peaceable and loyal majority,
who ask nothing better than to accept
our authority, at the mercy of the
minority of 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 choose to quarrel. In short, 1t
would take. from the congress of the Il.
S. the power of declaring war and vest
that tremendous prerogative in the
Tagal leader Of the hour.
1t does not seem desirable that 1
should commend at this time specific
and final form of government for these
islands When peace shall be restored,
it shall be the duty of congress to con-
struct 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 information
will be required as to the actual condi-
tion of affairs before inaugurating
permanent scheme of civil government.
The full report of the commission, now
ITeDdTdllOns
tion and suggestions which will be of
value to congress, and which 1 will
transmit as soon as ii Is completed.
AS long as the insurrection continues,
the military arm must necessarily be
supreme. But there is no reason why
steps should not be taken from time to
time to inaugurate governments essen
TALLY popular in their form as fast as
territory is held and controlled by our
troops. To this end 1 am considering
the advisability of the return of the
commission, or such of the members
thereof as can be secured, to aid the ex-
listing authorities and facilitate this
work throughout the islands. / have
believed that reconstruction should not
begin by the establishment Of one CEN
trail civil government for all the islands,
with it's seat at Manila, but rather that
the work should be commenced by
building up from the bottom, first es-
tablishing municipal governments and
then provincial governments, a central
government at last to follow.
Until congress shall have made
known the formal expression of it's will,
l shall use the authority vested in me
by the constitution and the states to
uphold the sovereignty of the u. s. in
these distant islands as in all other
places where our flag rightfully floats.
| shall put at the disposal of the army
anu navy all the means WnlCn Ile I'D
erality of congress and the people have
provided to cause this unprovoked and
wasteful insurrection to cease. If any
orders 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 a hu-
manity which has surprised even the
misguided insurgents. The truest kind
ness to them will be a swift and effec-
tive defeat of their present leader. The
hour of victory will be the hour of
clemency and reconstruction.
No effort will be spared to build up
the waste places desolated by war and
by long years of misgovernment.
We shall not wait for the end of strife
TO begin the beneficient work We shall
continue, as we have begun to open
the schools and the churches, to set the
courts in operation, to foster industry
and trade and agriculture, and in every
way in our power to make these people
whom providence has brought within
our Jurisdiction feel that it is their
liberty and not our power, their welfare
and not our gain, we are seeking to
enchance. Our flag has never waved
over any community but in blessing I
believe the Filipinos will soon recognize
the fact that it has not lost it's gift of
benediction in it's worldwide journey
to their shores.