Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-08

object lessons in the terrible game of
war which were the admiration and
envy OF the maritime powers of the
world. Within the incredibly short
space OF four months hostilitieS had
ceased-the power of ancient, proud
and lmperious Spain destroyed upon
land and sea-and the United States
OF America found herself facing new
and stupendous duties and RESPONSE
bilities. An eminent American gen
eral has said, War is hell and this is
certainly very terse and expressive
definition, and is absolutely true. 1t
is the last resort of organized govern
ments, and when undertaken no man
can tell what its results may be. 1t is
like fire on dry prairie, when once
started you cannot place a limit or a
boundary where it shall cease. Hav-
ing inaugurated this war for a just
cause-its justice no party has ever
disputed or denied-those responsible
tiles which We're incident to it could
not be evaded nor escaped. Two
courses We're open to this government.
By adopting one of these it would act
the part of the craven who in the face
of danger would shirk his responsible
lules, or the still more despicable part
of the selfish and cold-hearted cynic
who is willing if he be comfortable,
that his less fortunate neighbors may
starve or die. This, to large extent,
was the democratic view 1t was the
course Of cowardly abandonment. The
other course-that of the humanitari-
an and the patriot-recognized the re-
sponsibilities which are inseparably
connected with prosperity and power,
recognized the duties which the Amer
lean people owed to humanity and to
the world, recognized the unsurpassed
opportunities offered. This course the
republican party followed, and with
courage, fortitude. wisdom and states
manship, manfnlly went to work to
solve difficult problems and triumph
over great obstacles.
Difficult Problems.
mo administration has ever had
such difficult problems to meet and
master. No administration has ever
solved great questions with more coul-
age, wisdom and craftsmanship. 1t is
safe to say that no mistakes have been
made. And what great achievements
have been accomplished. In months,
not years, the map of the world was
changed In days, not weeks, great
army organized-a nation conquered
it's work having been done, the army
dissolved, and its members again fol
lowing the arts of peace. Cuba, paci-
fed, while with reluctance accepting
the kind offices of the United States
still accepting them, in unfavorable
contrast with the generous spirit in
which they are offered, is about to or
ganize an Independent civil govern
ment full of promise for the future.
The beautiful and fertile island of
Porto Rico, with more than 100000
people, recognized as territory under
the dominion of the United States, and
now enjoying the advantages of free
and unrestricted commence with this
nation. The Hawaiian islands, guard
ians of the safety and commence OF
the Pacific coast, annexed to the Unit
ed States and furnished with a safe
and convenient form of government.
The Philippine archipelago with its
more than 1900 islands and ten mil
: lions of people, with it's untold posi-
; bilities in the way of natural wealth,
affording to America a priceless OPP
portunity to obtain it's share OF the
trade of the far east, by combination
!, of military prowess, diplomatic skill,
and fair, manly courage and generos-
ity, has been won and conquered, and
: Il form of civil government is now be-
. ing successfully established in those
distant islands. l believe that all OF
the prominent Filipinos have recognize
: ed the supremacy of this government
except Coffee Cooler Atkinson" and a
small band of insurgents who were last
located in the province of Boston
These wonderful, and | might say in
voluntary, acquisitions of territory
mark a new and radical departure for
this government. The change has not
been OF our seeking. 1t has come
about through the irresistible logic OF
events. In the language of the presi
dent 1T is no longer a question of eX
pansion; we have expanded" And
this expansion was the natural Sc
Quence of events over which we had
absolute no control. In our ability tt
cope successfully with the questions
which grow out of this order of affairs
and so manage and control our new
5 possessions that their growth ant
: prosperity shall rebound to the glory
]. and honor of our own land, and they
: stand for the extension of persona
+ liberty and the equality of man, the re
: publican party has absolute faith an(
: abiding confidence.
:. Administration Victory.
g 'The recent decisions of the United
3 States supreme court We're a great vic
D tory for the present administration
: and sustain its theory, and give the
I common sense construction to tht
: powers of this government under the
t constitution that land may be acquired
: by conquest and purchase. that sucl
. territory When SO acquired is sub5ec
+ to legislative control by congress, ant
a does not by the mere vesting of title
g and control become an integral part o