Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1900-12-14

| to the authority bvsted 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, placing,
to that end. at the disposal OF the army
| and navy all the means which the liber-
! ality Of the congress and the people have
! provided. No contrary expression of the
will of the congress having been made. 1
have SteadfaStly pursued the purpose
| declared. employing the civil arm as well
| toward the accomplishment of pacifica-
| ton and the institution of local govern
ments within the lines OF authority and
law.
FAITH OF THE ARMY KEPT.
The articles of equalization of the city
or Manila on Aug. IL. 1883. concluded with
these words:
This city. its inhabitants. its churches
and religious worship, its educational es-
adjustments. and its private property of
all descriptions are placed under the spe-
cial safeguard Of the faith and honor OF
the American army"
believe that this pledge has been faith
fully kept. AS high and sacred an obli-
cation rests upon the government of the
United States to give protection for prop
erty and life, civil and religious freedom,
and wise, firm and unselfish guidance in
| the paths OF peace and prosperity to all
charge this commission to labor for the
| full performance of this obligation. which
concerns the honor and conscience of
| through their labors all the Inhabitants
of the Philippine islands may come 10
look back with gratitude TO the day when
God gave victory to American arms at
Manila and set their land under the SOW
ereignty ana the protection OF the people
of the United States.
PEACE IS ASSURED.
Progress in the hoped-for direction has
been favorable. Our forces have sue
cessfully controlled the greater part of
the Islands, overcoming the organized
forces OF the INSURGENTS and carrying or
( "A "a ri al
quarters. What opposition remains is,
for the most part. scattered, obeying no
concerted plan of strategic action. ope-
rating only by the methods common to
the traditions of guerrilla warfare which,
while ineffective to alter the general con-
troll now established, are still sufficient
tons that have felt the good results Of
our control and thus Oelay the confer
ment upon them OF the fuller measures
OF local self government. of education and
OF industrial and agricultural develop
ment which We stand ready to give TO
them.
BY the spring of this year the effective
opposition of the dissa tisfied Tagalas to
the authority of the United States was
virtually ended thus opening the door for
the extension of a stable administration
over much OF the territory OF the archi-
pelago. Desiring TO bring this about |
appointed in March last civil commits
sion composed OF William II. Taft OF
Ohio. Professor Dean g. Worcester of
Michigan. Luke r. Wright of Tennessee.
Henry c. Ide of Vermont and Professor
Bernard Moses OF California
PROGRESS TOWARD PEACE.
Coincldentally with the entrance of the
be issued by Gen. Macarthur. the mill
6ary governor of the Philippines. on June
Il. 800, proclamation of amnesty in
generous terms. of which many of the
INSURGENTS took advantage, among them
number of important leaders.
RMS commission. composed of eminent
citizens representing The diverse geo.
graphical and political interests of the
country. and bringing to their task the
ripe fruits OF long and intelligent service
IN educational administrative and iudi-
c ei careers. made great progress from
the outset. AS early as Aug 81 1900 IL
submitted preliminary report which
VIII he laid before the congress, and from
wnich II appears that already the good
eHectS or returning order are felt; that
business. interrupted by hostilities, is i'm
proving as peace extends; that a larger
area Is under sugar cultivation than ever
before: that the customs revenues are
greater than at any time during the Span
ism rule; that economy and efficiency I'm
the military administration have Great
co e surplus fund of 100000 available
Tor needed public improvements: that a
stringent civil service law is I'm prepara-
ton; that railroad communica tons are
expanding. opening UP rich districts and
mat comprehensive scheme of educa-
tion is being organized.
THREE RULES TO BE INVIOLABLE.
1t Is evident that the most enlightened
thought of the Philippine islands fully
appreciates the Importance of these prin-
ciples and rules. and they will inevitably
within short time command universal
assent Upon every division and branch
OF the government of the PHILIPPINES
therefore must be imposed three inyiol-
able rules:
lie. liberty or property without due proc
ess or law; that private property shall
not be taken for public use without just
compensation, that in all criminal prose-
cCtfons the accused shall enjoy the right
to speedy and public trial to be in
formed of the nature and cause of the
accusation. to be confronted with the wit
nesses against him, to have compulsory
process for obtaining witnesses in his
favor and to have the assistance Of coun-
sci for his defense; that excessive bail
shall not be required nor excessive fines
imposed. nor cruel and unusual punish
ment inflicted: that no person shall be
put twice in jeopardy for the same Of
tense, or De compelled IN any criminal
case TO be witness against himself: that
the right to be secure against unreason-
able searches and seizures shall not be
violated. that neither slavery nor invol-
untary servitude shall exist except as a
punishment for crime; that no bill of at
tainer or eX-pOSt facto Jaw shall be pass
ed: that no law shall be passed abridging
the freedom of speech or of the press or
the rights OF the people TO peaceably as
Semble and petition the government for
a redress OF grievances. that no law shall
be made respecting an establishment of
religion or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof. and that the free exercise and
enjoyment OF religious profession and
worship without discrimination or pref
erence shall forever be allowed"
RULES AS TO LAND AND CHURCH.
1t will be the duty Of the commission
to make thorough investigation into the
titles to the large tracts of land held or
claimed by individuals or by religious or
ders; into the justice of the claims and
ers by the people of the island or any
part of the people. and TO seek by wise
ana peaceable measures just settle
wrongs which have caused strife and
bioodshed In the past. In the perform
ance OF this duty the commission is en-
TO have regard for substantial rights and
equity. disregarding technicalities so far
as substantial right permits. and to OBJ
serve the following rules:
ihat the provision OF the treaty of
Paris pledging the United States to the
protection OF all rights of property in the
Islands. and as well the principle of orr
own government which prohibits the TAX
ing of private property without due proc
ess of law, snail not be violated; that the
welfare Of the people of the islands
which should be paramount consider
alton shall be attained consistently with
this rule OF property right: that if il be-
comes necessary for the public interest of
the people of ihe islands dispose of claims
To properly which the commission finds
to be not lawfully acquired and held dis
position shall be made thereof by due
legal procedure. in which there shall be
full opportunity for fair and impartial
hearing and judgment: that if the same
public interests require the extinguish-
ment OF property rights lawfully acquired
and held due compensation shall be made
out y. the public treasury therefor: that
no form of religion and no minister of
religion shall be forced upon any com