The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-02-21
THE COUNTRY Is SAFE.
Or that Is the Opinion Of DIR. J. W.
| Kellar--McKinley and Tillman.

DR.. J. W. Kellar Of this county Is one o
those level headed citizens who has no con
cealmen ts OF his own opinions, and who does
not adopt the opinions OF others, unless h1s
own better Judgment approves. He thinks
there is no cause Of alarm because the United
States has acquired the Philippine. Islands
The idea OF the United States ever being the
owner OF those islands never occurred TO him,
until after Dewey sunk the Spanish ips and
took possession OF the bay and harbor Of Ma.
Mia. But now, since we have taken posses:
sion OF them, he does not see why we should
not hold on to them. In taking these Islands
he does lot see how we are 70 free ourselves,
and since we have taken the Islands we
should hold on 10 them. The government OF
these islands will promote the peace, pros.
the islands and the people who inhabit will.
In turn, be OF great benefit TO ms. And so, he
believes the result will be mutually benef-
cial. They will learn to love our form OF gov, gov;
In time. By example and precept from Amer
leans their Industrial condition will be i'm
proved. They will wear better clothes. They
VIII live In better houses. They Will Improve
sources OF the islands, together with good
form OF government will make that country
prosperous and happy.
II is true enough that we did not set out to
capture distant islands. the Doctor said, but
since they have fallen into our hands, let US
teach them the blessings Of our system OF
government. II will be only short time un.
III they will love the Stars and Stripes, and
claim the flag as their own, even az we do
No class OF people has ever vet lived under
our form Of Govern ment that has not loved
IL, and who was not loyal TO the flag.
Senator Tillman, like many other good
men, Is opposed TO the annexation OF the is-
lands, but he is the ablest man in the State,
and his return TO the Senate is assured, not
because OF his opposition to the Philippines
but In spite Of that opposition. or course no
body expects the United States TO give up the
islands, and in the reelection OF Mr.. Tillman
his friendship for or his opposition to expan-
sion will hardly be factor one way or the
other. Mr.. Tillrhan's recent speech In the
Senate, which was published In the Press and
Banner, is the best possible presentation OF
his side OF the argument. It was 80 strong
that II is obliged TO be received with thought
full consideration, but the United States will
hold the Islands.
agree with your paper In according Presi-
dent Mckinley great credit for the manner In
which he conducted the war with Spain. The
victories of that campaign were really as.
founding. When tie war first broke out
feared that the fever In Cuba would ruin our
army and the fact is, / was not quite sure as
to the result OF the prospective naval engage
ments. But our victories were great, anu the
treaty OF Paris gave US territory which VIII
make US great power among nations. Inc
United States did not seek conquest at the
beginning Of the war, but we got the Islands
and believe In standing TO the government
and In holding on to all the territory that we
can lay our hands on.