The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-03-13

Union of American states, or shall we
declare and perform the trust for the
inhabitants of those lands which is
implied by every consideration of
principle and good faith? Nothing the
government has done, or may do, can
foreclose that issue. No considera-
tion which bears on II can be brushed
aside.
at is never too late to retrace a mis-
step, to right or undo a wrong. This
is not the time or place to discuss this
issue. But If the people shall decide
that no nation is good enough to rule
another nation without that others
consent; if they shall remember what it
cost us to cast out the heresy that the
great principles of liberty did not apply
to black men and shall refuse to re-em-
brace it as to brown ones; If they shall
conclude that this country cannot long
exist part vassal and part free, as they
found it could not part slave and part
free then there will be no difficulty in
doing what we ought to have done in
the beginning-leave the Filipinos to
manage their own affairs and serve
notice on the world that they are un-
der our protection. That issue may
it involves right and wrong it will
never be settled until it is settled right.
In the meantime there are certain duties
for which we have been made respon-
sible. One is to provide a government
for the people of those islands. How
ever strongly he may disapprove the
course which has led to this necessity.
no citizen has a right to withhold his
aid and support.
"The situation is very peculiar. On
the ratification of the treaty whatever
territory in fact belonged to Spain be-
came territory of the United States. The
military authority of the president ceasn
ed. Our constitution and laws extend.
ed there, and it becomes his duty to en-
force them. AS to the territory con-
quered from the natives, there has been
no treaty, because the government has
refused to recognize their dominion.
The presidents military authority,
therefore, strictly speaking, still pre-
walls, and under it he might make regu-
iations having the present force for
law. But as the governmenthas chosen
to refer the title to all the territory it
holds to the treaty with Spain the presi-
dent must treat it all alike as part of
our national domain, and none of it is
an enemy's country.
There is shrewd suspicion that the
failure of congress to legislate for the
Philippines, was not unintentional, and
that it would be glad to leave RESPONSE
bility with the president indefinitely.
When it is realized that legislative
powers cannot be thus or otherwise con-
ferred on him it is increditable that such
a course will be longer desired or that
public sentiment would permit it. But
it does not follow that the work Of this
commission will be either useless or
temporary. If the people shall decide
to keep these islands what this COM
mission does will doubtless be the basis
of our rule there. If they decide to
turn them over to their own inhabitants
these, following our methods, as well
as our ideas, as all seekers after liberty
do, and as they had already done when
we fell upon and crushed them, will be
glad to avail themselves of what the
knowledge and sagacity of these men
will have accomplished"