Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1899-03-01


them to some other power or
powers, and thus shirk our own
responsibility Even if We had,
as we did not have, the power to
compel such a transfer, it could
not have been made without the
most serious utter national COM
plications.
"Such a course could not be
thought of; and yet, had we re-
fused to accept the cession OF them
We should have had no power
over them, even for their own
good. We could not discharge
the responsibilities thrust upon
US until these islands become ours
either by conquest or treaty.
There was but one Alternative,
aud that was: Either Spain or
the United States in the Philip
pines.
"There was but one alternative,
and that was filled in the expu!-
ion of Spanish sovereignty from
their islands, aud while the war
that destroyed it was in progress,
we could not ak their views. Nor
can we now ask their consent.
Indeed, can anyone tell me in
what form it could be marshalled
and ascertained until peace and
order, so necessary Ia the reign of
reason, shall be secured an 1 es.
,abl'shed. A reign of terror is
not the kind Of rul under which
The right action and deliberate
ju lpm-nt are possible. 1t is not
a time for the liberator to submit
important questions concerning
liberty and government to the
liberated while they are engaged
Ia shooting down their rescuers.
DUTIES OF CONGRESS-.
We have now ended the war
with Spaiu. The treaty has been
rafiti d by more than two-thirds of
thu s nate of the United States,
and by the judgment of nine
tenths OF its people. No nation
was ever more fortunate iu war or
more honorable in negotiations
for pace. Spain is now elimin-
ated from the problem. 1t remains
to ask what We shall do now. do
not iutrude upon the duties of
Coug' ess or seek to anticipate or
forrst,ll it, actions. l only say
that the treaty of pace, houorably
SEQUEL, having been ratified by
the United States, and as we con-
ideptly expect, shortly to be rati
fed in SJain, Congress will have
he power, aud 1 am sure the pur
pos., to do VIVA. in good morals is
right and just and humane for
these people 10 distant seas.
1t is sometimes hard to deter
mine what is hest TO do, and the
best thing to do is often times the
hardest. The prophet of evil
would do nothing because he
flIuches At sacrifice and effort, aud
to do nothing is easiest aud in
wolves the least cost. On those
who have things to do there rests
a responsibility which is not on
hose who have no obligations as
doera.
IT the douhters were in ma.
joriiy there would, it is true, be no
labor, NO sacrifice, no anxiety and
no burden raised or carried; no
contribution from our ease aud
purse and comfort to the welfare
ut Others, or even to the extention
OF our resources to the welfare of
ourselves. There would be ease.
but, alas! there would be nothing
done.
FUTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES.
"fhe future 1T the Philippine
islands is now in the hands of the
American people.
IF we know everything by in
tuition-and l sometimes think
there are those who believe that;
it We do not they dove should |
not need information; but, unfor-
tuuately, most of us are not in
that happy state. The whole
subj ct is now with Congress, and |
Congress is the voice, the COD
scieuce aud tho judgment of the
American people. Upon their
judgment and conscience can we
not rely ? l believe 10 them, 1
trust them. l know of no better
or safer human tribunal than the
people.
THE PRESIDENTS PLANS.
until Congress shall direct
otherwise, it will be the duty of
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