Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10

and such free government as may be
possible. In that attempt, assisted by
all patriots, the nation has met with
some difficulties, Instructions and dis
paragement in the Philippines and else
where, that have cost the lives of many
brave and gallant men. But the voice
that comes from the volunteers is one
OF cheer. The lesson taught by the
heroic life and world-lamented death
OF the intrepid and immortal Lawton
i and the lingering utterances from his
patriotic lips revives the words of
Grant, the old commander, that thun-
dered far across the continent from
Donelson in '93, Unconditional surren-
i DER
No Estrangin. Alliances.
"It is frequently inquired, DO we not
i sympathize with people who are strug-
Cling for liberty and self-goyernment q
And answer yes, we sympathize with
| the Beers and with all people who have
upon them the misfortune of war, and
no nation would be more prompt to
\ recognize the independence of the Boer
| republic if they shall prove able to es-
tapllsh it, as did the colonists of Amer
i lea. But realizing the wisdom of
4 yocating peace and amity toward other
nations, we make no entangling al
4 liances with any foreign power. We
lsympathize with the thousand of
Filipinos who hail the American flag
which is the emblem of liberty wherever
4 1T goes and who desire that peace and
order for which our flag is being car
ried against the murderous tribe of
ora -I,fS1,
peaceful citizens, terrorize the archi-
4 pelago and make America responsible
for state of chaos and disorder. We
realize the responsibility which was
placed upon us by the victory of our
lnayy and nothing short of high trea-
son will prompt any American citizen
\ to aid or abet the enemies of our army
and our flag in the discharge of that
responsibility to establish peace and
order. in, the islands.
'And whatdowe propose to give them
when order is restored? answer, the
4 highest degree of liberty and respon-
jsible government of which in the
i Judgment of the American Congress
they may be capable under the sover-
4 eighty and protection of the Ameri-
can flag. But they shall not be per-
mitted to destroy the peaceful element
1 of their own tribes or loot the pro-
perty OF foreigners or aliens. They
Ishall- have government of business
and of generosity in which they shall
participate to their fullest capacity.
AS an illustration of the good in
tentions of our government, | would
cite the instances of Porto Rico and
Hawaii, and in dealing with the Eli
4 ipinos the same free and independent
hand and judgment of congress
should be exercised. In the case of
Porto Rico, needing the suggestion OF
the president, congress dealt with
that island on the most humane and
i liberal and loyal terms. Congress re-
moved SIS per cent of the tariff duties
and by the same act empowered the
legislative body of Porto Rico to re-
move the remaining Is per cent when
ever they see fit, thus granting free
intercourse at their option, and in the
meantime giving for their benefit ev-
cry dollar of all taxes that have been
or shall be collected. The system Of
J government authorized Tor them by
congress is liberal and wholesome and
the governor appointed by the presi-
4 dent has been Loyalty and heartily re-
ceived by. the people OF that island.
!; The history of our world reveals no
: such magnanimity to any outlying
! territory. people, or possession as has
, thus far been exercised by the United
: States toward Porto Rico
Il know there are differences OF
, opinion upon all these multiplicity OF
n novel questions that today confront
and interest our people. The man on
!; the cracker barrel and his neighbour
i on the herring box with the rival
n morning dailies in their hands have
been reading the flaming headlines
and arguing each other out of breath
ever since Dooley told Hennessy
! about the destruction of the Maine,
); and as a results. the community at
a large has been holding perpetual
, court on public affairs with everybody
on the jury night and day since the
Etrouble began. The result so far has
been excellent. The intelligent and in.
4 vestigating public have waited for the
4 facts before making up their mind
and being prudent, have ultimately ar.
$ rived at reasonable and sound conclu.
sions. And they will continue to dc
, so. People nowadays are not so cas-.
/ lily stampeded by the preachers Of
: calamity and sensation mongers. They
5 know that in eras of great excitement
when a multiplicity of proglems are
arising, uniformity of opinion on all
, questions is impossible, and recogniz-
ing the vital Importance OF unity in
a great and serious public cause, they
} sometimes differ with generous toll
, erance and finally agree for the com
! mon welfare. And this, after all, is
, the nobility of our day-the justifica,
ton of our system of popular govern
ment.
Acquiring Territory.
"The constitution of the United
States provides that congress shall
, have the power to dispose of and make
! all needful rules and regulations re
!, speeding the territory or othe,
property belonging to the United
States.
Under that provision in 1898, under
t Thomas Jefferson, the free hand ant
: independent action of congress was ex
: ercised in governing the territory O.
D the Louisiana Purchase. of which the
e state of Iowa is the most productive
S part. Under that provision we ar,
Il 7 n