The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-08

plains and valleys would be the scene OF
endless strife and bloodshed- The advent
Of Dewey's fleet in Manila Bay. instead
day of freedom and progress. VIII have
been the beginning of an era of misery
and violence worse than any that has
darkened their unhappy past. The Sue-
gestfon has been made that we could re-
nounce our authority over the islands snd,
giving them independence, could retain
protectorate over them This proposition
viii not be found, I am sure, worthy Of
your serious attention Such an arrange
ment would involve at the outset 4 cruel
able and loyal majority. who ask nothing
better than to accept our authority, at
the the mercy of the minority Of armed
insurgents. It would make US responsible
for the acts of the insurgent leaders and
give us no power to control them. It
would charge US with the task of pro-
tecting them against each other and de-
Tending them against any foreign power
with which they chose to quarrel In
short, it would take from the congress of
the United States the power of declaring
war and vest that tremendous preroea-
tive in the Tagal leader of the hour.
1t does not seem desirable tnat snouId
final form of government for these is
lands. When peace shall be restored. it
shall be the duty of congress to c,inStr1ct
a plan of government which shall estaD-
hsh and maintain peace and order in the
This is the language of a statesman. 1t
is language BETTING the chief magistrate
pose to exaggerate official powers, but
conscientious desire to discharge an OIL
who would destroy the character of his
government and subvert our popular insti-
buttons, but it is calm, deliberate, clear
headed and kind-hearted expression CT a
man -Sho is concerned only to promote
the best interests of his country
The work of establishing civil govern
ment is already far progressed We owe
it to ourselves the world. and esp acially
the Filipinos to complete it. When peace
reigns and we can act intelliga1tty. cen
gress will legfslate. and everybody knows.
Including Mr.. Bryan, that we shall deal
most generously and beneficently with
that people and that at the earliest
our flag and authority complete self con-
troll and all the blessings of a republican
form of government
Recent events have demonstrated the
folly that their abandonment wo1Id in
voIve. Had we not been in the Philip
pines, we would not have headed the c-l-
uTnn for Pekin, but being there We were
enabled to do a conspicuous service Scr
all the civilized powers.
For generations Americans will man
tie with pride as they read of our part in
that great world work Such work is not
ended The slow processes of time are
fast reaching their elimination Every
student of history and current events
located the scene of the worlds greatest
activity for years to come
Our presence there is most fortunate.
not alone for ourselves. but also for the
other nations We are the one 71nserva-
tive force. so favored with the confidence
and respect of other governments that we
great transitions that are impending. We
have the post of honor in the onward
march of the world. To hold it Involves
responsibility and duty; to abandon it.
shame and humiliation.
We can not recede: must go for
ward We have the strength of a giant
great duty of the hour is to show mat we
are worthy of both