Rock Island Argus., 1900-05-01
Installed as First Civil Gov
ernOr of Porto Rico
Today.
A MAY DAY CEREMONY.
Full Text of the Inaugural
Address Which Sounds
Well.

The Inauguration of Charles Herbert
Allen. formerly assistant secretary of
The United States navy. as the first
American civil governor of the island
Of Porto Rico, took place today. The
ceremony was most impressive. Allen
made the following inaugural adj
dress:
LAT this impressive ceremony i
bring to yOu-the inhabitants of the
ever faithful island of Porto Rico
the congratulations and good wishes
uf the people of the United States.
Imposing as the occasion is in itself,
and far-reac hing as it's effect NAV be
upon the future of your beautiful
island, it is especially significant be-
cause it marks the first step in tie
esta ablishment here of civil govern
ment under the flag of the United
States of Amer lea, and with the bless
ings and opportunities that go with it.
"A new page has been turned in the
volume of your history. and new
era inangurated in the development
of your island. Whether it shall turn
out we'll or i'll now depends largely
upon yourselves. The greatest con-
stitution makers can only - Law the
foundation. The building oil the
superstructure-w or not it
shall be stately. beautiful and endur-
ing-must rest upon the industry and
wisdom of the people them mselVes.
The governmental plan presented in
act OF congress is only the founda-
ton. TO your care il is committed.
aud you today assume great trust
No greater work ever confronted a
people than that of building their owD
fortunes. 1t viii stimulate YOU also
TO bear in mind that - great nation of
seventy millions of people across the
water. vet close at hand in commun-
ity of thought and interest, is watch
ing your every effort ready TO help
YOU and to assist you to help your
selves.
Becomes One of Them.
..Fellow-citizens of Porto Rico-for.
as | have taken the oath of office here
TODAY, so from this time ] become one
of YOU in my endeavor to work with
YOU in all that tends to the true in-
rerests of the island-I bring this
message from the president, and |
place myself in full accord with il.
that il is his intention TO give to you,
so far as all officers are concerned.
whether selected from your own num-
Der or from the United States. men of
character and standing. who are en-
thusiastic and dilligent and industri- |
ous-meu of high sense OF honor. who |
will not seek to advance their own |
fortunes at your expense. and who |
will not allow others to do 50; men
who will see that Justice and straight |
forward honesty will be meted out to |
all. and will have sole regard for |
the welfare of Porto Rico and the |
honor of the American government in |
its relations to it.
If in working out the provisions
of the act of congress which enables |
you to participate in the government |
and to 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 NAV confidently expect that thus
working all together, we shall make |
this island. so richly blessed by Di- |
vine Providence in its wonderful nat |
ural resources, not only another gem |
of the Antilles in respect to uataral |
beauty. hut an example of what an in |
dustrlous and honest people may Ac-
romplish when properly directed by
wise policy OF civil government.
| 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
sovereignty of the United States. shall
he Justly treated. and that his rights
shall be respected.
but One Flag.
..Henceforth We are under one flag.
We are under the same institutions of
freedom. equality aud education. To-
gether we move on in the great Amer
,can current uf advancing civilization.
Loving our country, animated by s
high sense ot honor. devoted 10
common humanity. we take our place
before the world. and invoke on our
progress the blessing OF mighty
God" s"
@NAlM MnTHE0