The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-01
GOV. ALLEN lNAUGURATE0.
CONTINUED from page one.)

self and far-reaching as its effect may
be upon the future OF your beautiful
island, Ii is especially significant be-
cause IL marks the first step In the es-
tablishment here OF civil government
under the flag Of the United States uf
America, and W tn the blessings and
opportunities that go with IL.
"A new page has been turned i'm the
volume OF your history. and a new era
inaugurated in the development OF your
island. Whether ii shall turn out well
or i'll now depends largely upon your
selves. The greatest constitution maxi
ers can only lay the foundation. The
building OF the superstructure-whet
er or not II shall be stately, beautiful
and enduring-must rest upon the in
dustry and wisdom of the people them
selves.
The governmental plan presented In
act or congress In only the foundation.
To your care II is committed, and you
today assume great trust No great
er work ever confronted people than
Of building their own fortunes. 1t will
stimulate you also to bear i'm mind that
great nation of seventy millions of
people across the water. yet close at
hand in community of thought and in
terest. Is watching your every effort.
ready to help you and to assist you
to help yourselves.
Fellow -citizens of Porto Rtco-for.
as have taken the oath of office here
today, so from this time I become one
Of you i'm my endeavor TO work with
you and for you in all that tends to
the true interests OF the island-I bring
this message from the president and I
place myself In fun accord with II,
that IL is his intention TO give tn you.
so far as all officers are concerned.
whether selected from your own num-
bers or from the United States. men OF
character and standing. who are en-
thusiastic and diligent and Industrious
men of high sense of honor. who will
not seek to advance their own fortunes
at your expense. and who will not al
low others to do so: men who Will see
that justice and straightforward hon
esty will be meted out to all. and who
Will have sole regard for the welfare
OF Porto Rico and the honor OF the
American government I'm its relations
to IL.
'If in working out the provisions OF
the act or Congress which enables YOU
to participate I'm the government and 10
provide your own legislative assembly
you are actuated by the same purpose
to elect men who are devoted to the
general interests of the Island and the
people OF Porto Rico. We may confident
~ expect that. thus working all togeth-
or. we shall make this island. SO richly
blessed by Divine Providence in It's
wonderful natural resources not only
another gem OF the Antilles in respect
10 natural beauty. hut an example NJ
what an in 'ustrious and honest people
may accomplish when properly directed
by n wise policy OF civil government
II bring you also the assurance that
every man. be he high or low. rich or
poor under the administration OF this
form OF government and under the SOW
ereignty OF the United States. shall be
Justly treated. and that his rights shall
be respected.
Hence foffh we 3re under one flag.
We are under the same institutions OF
freedom. equality and education. To-
gether We move on I'm the great Amer
ican current OF advancing civilization.
Loving our country. animated by high
sens- ~ honor. devoted 10 common
hume nifty. We take our p'ac- before the
vorii. and invoke on our progress the
bles sing of Almighty God"