The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-04
THE LNAUGURAL. ADDRESS.

but without success. The Republic
has marched On and on, and its every
step has exalted freedom and, human
ity- We are undergoing the SANE or
a century ago We are following the
course they blaZed- They
triumphed. Win their successors fall
ter and plead organic impotency in
the nation? Surely after one hun
cred and twenty-five years or achleE-
ment for mankind we viii not now
surrender our equality with other
powers on matters fundamental Ent
essential to nationality. With no SuCh
purpose was the nation created IN
no such spirit has il developed its fun
and independent sovereignty We al
here TO the principle Of equality among
ourselves, aid by no act of ours viii
We assign TO ourselves a subordinate
rank in the family of nations
My feIlow-CitiZens, the public events
Of the past four years have gone into
history They are too near to justify
recital Some of them were unforeseen;
many of them momentous and far
reaching in their consequences to our
selves and our relations with the rest
OF the world ne part which the
United States bore so hOnorably in the
thrilling scenes in China, while new to
American life. has been in harmony
with its true spirit and best traditions.
and in dealing with the results its pol
icy viii be that Of moderation and
fairness.
We face at this moment a most i'm
pOrtant question-that OF the future
relations Of the United States and Gu
ba- With our near ueighbors we must
remain close friends The declaration
of the purposes OF this Government in
the resolution of April 20, 1888, must be
made good. Ever since the evacuation
Of the island by the army OF Spain the
Executive with all practicable speed
has been assisting its people IN the
successive steps necessary to the eS-
Establishment of free and independent
government prepared to assume and
perform the obligations Of interna-
tiOnal law which now rest upon the
United States under the Treaty Of
Paris The convention elected by the
people to frame a constitution is ep-
preaching the completion OF its labors.
The transfer Of American control to
the new government is Of such great
Importance. involving an obligation re-
Suiting from our Intervention and the
Treaty OF Peace, that l am glad to be
advised by the recent act Of Congress
Of the policy which the legislative
branch Of the Government deems es-
Sentlal to the best interests Of Cuba
ana the nited 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 cap
able Of performing the duties and dis
charging the functions Of a separate
nation, of observing its international
obligations Of protecting life and prop
erty. inSuTing order, safety, and Iiber-
ty, and conforming to the established
and historical policy of the United
States in its relation to Cuba.
The peace which we are pledged to
leave 10 the Cuban people must carry
with II the guarantees Of permanence.
We became sponsors for the pacihca-
ton of the island, and we remain ac-
HE n the (rfrf2rS Lass h.ar
to our own country and people, for the
reconstruction OF Cuba as free COM
monwealth or abiding foundations of
right, justice, liberty, and assured or
der. Our enfranchisement OF the peo-
pie viii not be completed until free
Cuba shall be reality. not a name;
g perfect entity, not a hasty expert
ment bearing within itself the ele-
ments of failure"
While the Treaty Of Peace with
Spain was ratified on the 6th of Feb
ruary, 1888, and Publications We're eX-
changed nearly two years ago, the
Congress has indicated no form Of
government for the Philippine Islands.
It has however, provided an army to
enable the Executive to suppress in
Surrection, restore peace. give Secur-
ity 10 the inhabitants, and establish
the authority of the United States
throughout the archipelago It has
authorized the organization Of native
troops as auxiuliary TO the regular
force II has been advised from time
tc time OF the acts of the military and
naval officers in the islands, of ny &C
ton IN appointing civil commissions,
Of the instructions with which they
We're charged, of their duties and pow
erS, of their recommendations, and of
their several acts under Executive
commission. together with the very
complete general Information they
have submitted
These reports fully set forth the
conditions. past and present, in the
islands, and the instructions clearly
show the principles which viii guide
the Executive until the Congress shall,
as il is required TO do by The treaty,
determine the civil rights and Do-
Iitical status of the native inhabi-
tants. The Congress having added
the sanction of its authority to the
powers already possessed and exerCiS-
ed by the Executive under the Consti-
tuition thereby leaving with the EX-
ecutiYe the responsibility for the gov
eminent of the Philippines, l shall
continue the efforts already begun I'M
til order shall be restored throughout
the islands. and as fast as conditions
permit win establish local govern
ments, in the formation of which the
full cooperation OF the people has
been already invited, and when estab-
lIshed will encourage the people TO ad-
long ago proclaimed. to afford the
inhabitants of the islands self-gOv-
eminent as fast as they were ready
for II viii be pursued with earuestness
and fidelity. Already something has
been accomplished in this direction
The Government representa- ives
civil and military. are doing faithful
and noble work In their mission of
emancipation and merit the approval
and support Of their countrymen- The
most liberal terms Of amnesty have
already been communicated to the in
surgents, and the way is still open for
those who have raised their arms
against the Government for honorable
submission TO its authority.
Our couutrymen should not be de-
ceiVed- We are not wagiEg war
against the inhabitants of the Phil
ippine Islands 4 portion of them are
making war against the United States.
By far the greater part of the inhabi-
tants recognize American sovereignty
and welcome II as q guaranty OF or
der and of security for life, property,
liberty. freedom OF conscience and the
pursuit of happiness To them fun
protection will be given. They shall
not be abandoned. We will not leave
the destiny' OF the loyal millions in the
islands tC the disloyaI thousands who
are in rebellion against the United
States. OrGer under civil institutions
will come as soon as those who now
break the peace shall keep It Force
will not be needed or used when those
1t no more. May 1t end without
further bloodshed. and there be
ushered in the reign OF peace TO be
made permanent by a government Of
liberty under l2wl