Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-03-07
WILMINGTON. THURsDAr, MARcH !.



A considerable portion of President
Mckinley's inaugural address was de-
voted to Qualification Of his recent
administration, to the condition of
business throughout the country, and
TO our national greatness. The other
poTtions referred to Cuba and the
philippines.
With respect to Cuba, the President
holds that I'VE bsoome sponsors for the
paoitioation of the island, and We re-
main accountable to the Oubans, no
less than TO our own country and
people, for the reconstruction of Cuba
as Q free commonwealth on abiding
foupdations of right, Justice, liberty
and assured order.'
What becomes Of the rights Of the
people Of Cuba, In the light of this
deolarationH Are they not to be per-
mitted TO establish their own form Of
government, such as shall, in the view
Of the majority OF the citizens Of the
island, be best conducive to the
prosperity of the island and the hap
pinsss Of its peopleP
With respect to the Philippines, the
President announces that the recent
policy shall be continued. 81 SHALL"
he says, continue the efforts already
begun until order shall be restored
throughout the islands and rs fast US
conditions permit will establish local
governments, in the formation of which
the full cooperation of the people has
been already invited, and when estab-
lishsd will encourage the people to
administer them. The settled purpose,
long ago proclaimed, to afford the in
habitants of the islands self. govern
ment rs fast as they we're ready for IL
will be pushed with earnsstness and
fidelity
IL this means anything, IL means
that the fight against the Independence
Of the Philippines shall be continued
to the end-even to the extent of
determination should the brave people
OF the islands continue to fight until
the death. Mr.. Mckinley attempts to
excuse his policy on the ground that
we fare not waging war against the
inhabitants of the Philippine Islands, -
by that "a portion of them are waRing
war against the United States" This
declaration will he generally chal.
lepged, and Nv contrary to the facts,
The Filipinos arc simply defending
themselves, their property and their
rights against the attacks of the armed
forces Of this country.
With somewhat OF alsority President
Mckinley accepts the great power with
which Congress has clothed him with
respect TO the future Of the Phillp-
pines. lie expresses no forsbodipRs.
no dissent with the act OF Congress
which clothes the executive with such
unprecedented power, making him
practically the dictator of the Philip.
pines Contrast this with the uttersnce
OF President Andrew jackson, when
clothed by Congress with temporary
power to establish q government for
the Florida purchase: 81 am clothed
with powers which no one under a
republic ought to possess and which
trust will never be again given to any
man. Nothing will give me more
happiness than TO learn that Congress
in Its wisdom shall have distributed
them Properly and in such manner as
Is eonsonsnt to our earliest and deepest
convictions. "
And yet the powers that jackson was
clothed with do not compare with
those conferred upon President Nc
Kinley.