New-York tribune., 1901-03-05
THE PRESIDENT TO THE PEOPLE,

The President in his annual messages speaks
TO the representatives of the people in Congress
assembled. In his inaugural address he speaks
directly 70 the people themselves Doing so al
the beginning of second term, with the doings
and record of his first term marked with
exceptional degree of popular approval. he
speaks with personal assurance and with more
than ordinary authority IT was Mr.. McKin-
lcys happy lot thus TO speak yesterday. and
without apparent or intended self-laudation.
but in a simple and straightforward relation of
indisputable facts-to cite one Of the best pos
sble vindications of his former inaugura, and
of his first four years of administration. None
of his rational critics will dispute the truth of
the contrast drawn between the condition OF
the country at his former Inauguration and
that at his second, nor are there many who
will venture TO deny that the benefcent change
has largely been caused by the faithful prose
cution of the policies of government with which
Mr. Mckinley and the Republican party are
inseparably identified.
The larger part of the Presidents address
devoted TO a consideration of those matters
which were forced upon him and upon the
nation against his Will and its desire If the
test of success be the way in which unexpected
and unsought crises are dealt with. the Presi-
dent was able to go far toward complete vim
ably. of the inaugural address Will command or
deserve more attention than that which bears
upon our relations 10 Cuba In it the President
spoke plainly and logically The pledges of the
nation are TO be fulfilled, and the established
policy of the nation is to be maintained. There
may be those who think the two Incompatible
We do not. The President does not. The
American people. or the vast majority of them
do not. Mr.. Mckinley made the method OF
their agreement entirely clear The principles
which led to our Intervention are to be main
tanned as the consequence of our intervention
That is all. THE peace which we are pledged
TO leave 10 the Cuban people" said the Pres
dent. must carry with it the guarantees of
permanence" Is there any one who dissents
from that? Is it possible that there is any one
especially any one who favored Intervention in
Cuba three years ago. who will say that the
peace of that island. the security of life and
property on it, and its faithful discharge of egit
innate obligations. are matters of no concern TO
the United States? If one does not make those
inconceivable contentious he will not easily
avoid approval of the policy re-enunciated by
Mr.. Mckinley.
Nor is less TO he said of the Presidents dec
larations concerning the Philippines. 1t would
be idle folly to attempt any denial Of the fact
that in prosecuting the campaign for the sup
preston Of insurrection and the complete estab-
lishment of American authority the President
has simply performed his constitutional duty
! according TO the oath Of office which he took
! four years ago. Neither. we think, the
| Presidents statements TO be denied concerning
! the progress made toward pacification Of the
! islands, the terms of amnesty offered 10 the
! insurgents and the proportion which the insur-
| gents sustain to the loyal population 1--WE will
mot leave the destiny of the loyal millions In
"the islands to the disloya thousands who are
Sin rebellion against the United States In
that sentence the President set forth a motive
which-though not the only nor the chief one
| in the case-should appeal with convincing
force to even the most extreme sticklers for
consent of the governed" In this as we'll as
in the other matters touched upon In his
address the President right in his assump-
! ton that 'the national purpose is indicated
through national election" The fulflment OF
the promise of his first inaugural gives the
nation faith in that Of his second. The nations
answer to the address of yesterday will be one
of approval. of confidence and of support.