The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-08

~ VI ONb@
powers on matters fundamental and es-
sential to nationality. With no such
purpose was the nation created. In
no such spirit has it developed
its full and Independent sovereignty.
We adhere to the principle Of equality
among ourselves, and by no act of ours
will we assign to ourselves a subordi-
nate rank in the family of nations.
Ny fellow-citizens, the public events
of the past four years have gone into
history. They are too near TO justify
recital. Some OF them were -unfore-
seen; many of them mementous and
f~ar-reaching in their consequences to
ourselves and our relations with the
rest of the world. The part which the
United States bore so honorably in
the thrilling scenes in China, while
new to American life, has been in har-
mony with it's true spirit and best ira
ditions, and in dealing with the results
it's policy will be that of moderation
and fairness.
We face at this moment a most inn
portant question-that Of the future
relations of the United States and
Cuba. With cur near neighbors We
must remain close friends. The dec
laration Of the purposes Of this govern
ment in the resolution of April 20, 1898,
must be made good. Ever since the
evacuation of the island by the army
of Spain the executive with all practi-
cable speed has been assisting it's peo-
pie in the successive steps necessary
to the establishment Of a free and in
dependent government prepared TO as-
sumo and perform the obligations of
international law which now rest upon
the United States under the treaty of
Paris. The convention elected by the
people to frame a constitution is ap
preaching the completion of it's labors.
The transfer of American control to
the new government is of such great
Importance, involving an obligation re-
Sulting from our Intervention and the
treaty of peace, that 1 am glad to b
advised by the recent act of congress
of the policy which the legislative
branch Of the government deems es-
Sential to the best interests of Cuba
and the United States. The principles
which led to our Intervention require
that the fundamental law upon which
the new government rests should be
adapted to secure a government ca
pable of performing the duties and
d~ischarging the functions of a
rate nation, of observing it's interna-
tional obligations of protecting life
and liberty, and conforming to the
established and historical policy of the
United States in it's relation to Cuba.
The peace which we are pledged to
cave to the Cuban people must carry
with it the guarantees of permanence.
We became sponsors for the pacifica-
ton of the island, and we remain &C
countable to the CubanS, no less tina
to our w country n people for the
reconstruction Of Cuba as a free COM
monwealth on abiding foundations of
right, justice, liberty, and assured or
der. Our enfranchiSement of the peo-
pie will not be completed until free
Cuba shall be a reality, not a name;
a perfect entity, not a haSty expert
ment bearing within itself the elements
of failure"
While the treaty of peace with Spain
was ratified on the 9th of February,
1899, and notifications were exchanged
nearly two years ago, the congress has
indicated no form of government for
the Philippine islands. 1t has, hOweV-
er, provided an army to enable the eX-
ecutive to suppress insurrection, re-
store peace. give security to the in
habitantS, and establish the authority
of the United States throughout the
archipelago. 1t has authorized the
organization of native troops as aux
Hilary to the regular force. 1t has
been advised from time to time of the
acts of the military and naval officers
in the islands, of my action in appoint
ing civil commissions, of the instruc-
tions with which they were charged,
of their duties n powers, of their
recommendations, and of their several
acts undo executive commission, to-
gether with the very complete general
lllloll ldlIO lie hdN
These reports fully set forth the con-
Gitions, past and present, in the is
lands, and the Instructions clearly
show the principles which will guide
the until the congress shall,
as it is required to do by the treaty,
determine 1.-The civil. rights and politi-
cal status of the native inhabitants"
The congress having added the sane
sanction of it's authority to the powers
already possessed and exercised by the
executive under the constitution,
thereby leaving with the executive
the responsibility for the government
of the Philippines, 1 shall continue the
efforts already begun until order shall
be restored throughout the islands, and
as fast as conditions permit will es-
tablish local GOVERNMENTS, in the for
nation of which the full cooperation
of the people has been already invited,
and when established will encourage
the people to administer them. The
settled purpose, long ago proclaimed,
to afford the inhabitants of the islands
self-government as fast as they were
ready for it will be pursued with earn
estness and fidelity. Already some
thing has been accomplished in this
direction. The governments represen-
tatives, civil and military, are doing
faithful and noble work in their mis-
sion of emancipation AND merit the
approval and support of their country
llcI. IL IloSl IlDcIdI lS VI dIl-
nesty have already been communicat-
ed to the insurgents, and the way is
still open for those who have raised
their arms against the government for
honorable submission to it's authority.
Our countrymen should not be deceiv-
ed. We are not waging war against
the inhabitants of the Philippine is
lands. a portion of them are making
war against the United States. By
far the greater part of the inhabitants
recognize American sovereignty and
welcome it as a guaranty of order
n of security for life, property, lib
erty, freedom of conscience, and the
pursuit or happiness. To them full
protection will be given. They shall
not be abandoned. We will not cave
the destiny of the loyal millions in the
islands to the disloyal thousands who
are in rebellion against the United
States. Order under civil institutions
will come as soon as those who now