Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-05
DUTY CANNOT BE SHIRKED
President Mckinley Discusses Our 0bliga-
lions in the Philippines
He Reviews the History of Acquisition
of the Islands and RESPONSE
bilitfes Incurred.

| at the annual banquet of the Ohio Society
| in the city of New York Saturday night, in
| which he reviewed the situation in the Phil
| ippines and pointed out the duty of this
| government to the newly-acqured posses
| sions. He said. in part:
| I'VE have had our blessings and our bur-
dens. and still have both. We will soon
! have legislative assurance of the continue
| ance of the gold standard, with which we
measure our exchanges, and We have the
| open door in the far east, through which
| to market our products We are neither
| in alliance nor antagonism nor entangle-
| ment with any foreign power, but on terms
| of amity and cordiality with all. We buy
| from all of them and sell to all of them,
| and our sales exceeded our purchases in
the last two years by over one billion dol
lars.
Markets have been increased and mort
cages have been reduced Interest has
| fallen and wages have advanced. The pub
/ lie debt is decreasing. The country is well
| to do; it's people for the most part are hap
ply and contented They have good times
| and are on good terms with the nations of
the world.
There are. unfortunately those among
us, few in number, am sure. who seem to
thrive best under bad times, and who, when
good times overtake them in the United
States. feel constrained to put us on bad
terms with the rest of mankind.
An unavoidable War.
After thirty-three years of unbroken
peace came an unavoidable war. Happily,
the conclusion was quickly reached, with
out a suspicion of unworthy motive or prac-
tice or purpose on our part and with fade
less honor to our arms. 1 cannot forget the
quick response of the people to the coun-
try's need and the quarter of a million men
who freely offered their lives to their coun-
trys service. 1t was an impressive spec
tacle of national strength. 1t demonstrated
our mighty reserve power and taught US
that large standing armies are unnecessary
when every citizen is a minute man, ready
to join the ranks for national defense.
out of these recent events have come to
the United States grave trials and RESPONSE
bllltleS. As it was the nations war, so are
its results the nations problem. Its solI-
ton rests upon us all. 1t Is too serious to
stitie. 1t Is too earnest for repose. No
phrase or catch word can cancel the sacred
obligation it involves. No use of epithets
no aspersion of motives by those who differ
will contribute to that sober judgment so
essential to right conclusions.
Treaty With Spain Must Stand.
'No political outcry can abrogate our
treaty of peace with Spain or absolve us
from its solemn engagements. 1t is the
peoples question and will be so until its
lightened verdict.
and base desertion. 1t will never be the
latter. 1t must be soberly settled in justice
and good conscience, and it will be. Right
eousness, which exalteth a nation, must
control in its solution.
There can be no Imperialism Those who
fear it are against it. Those who have
faith in the republic are against it, so that
there is universal adherence for it and
unanimous opposition to it.
Our only difference is that those who do
not agree with us have no confidence in the
virtue virtue or capacity or high purpose or good
fa1th of this free people civiizing
agency; while We believe that the century
OF free government which the American
people have enjoyed has not rendered them
faithless and irresOlute, but has fitted
them for the great task Of lifting up and
assisting TO better conditions those distant
peoples who have through the issue of bat
tie become our wards.
No Need of Fear.
Let US fear not. There is no occasion
for faint hearts, excuse for regrets
Nations do not grow in strength and the
cause of liberty and law is not advanced by
the doing Of easy things. The harder the
task the greater will be the result, the
benefit and the honor. To doubt our power
TO accomplish it is to lose faith in the
soundness and strength of our popular in
situations.
THE Hberators will never become the op-
presSors. a self-governed people will never
Pefllft oespotlSm IN any government which
they foster and defend.
Gentlemen, We have the new care and
cannot shift it, And, breaking up the camp
of ease and isolation, let US bravely and
hopefully and soberiy continue the march
of faithful service"
Governor Roosevelt said in part:
In the three years President Mckinley
has been in office he has been earnest all
the time to advance the interests Of his
country. We have heard complaints and
cavl The comDlainants We can throw
aside. They are weaklings, nothing but
anaemic men who would like to be traitors
but who have not got the red blood to make
the complaint good