Evening star., 1901-03-04

President McKinley's second salutatory Is
pitched in the high key of optimistic pa
triotsm Every note breathes hope and
faith In the endurance of the American
principles and in the ability of the people
to perpetuate and extend them. 1t Is a
wholesome, reassuring, statesmanlike ut
terance.
The temptation may have been strong to
deliver u much longer address. The oc-
Casion is exceptional. a President succeed
ing himself In whose first term events OF
the most vital significance and of worldwide
Importance have occurred. There was
much to summarize and to discuss Per-
haps the thrOng at the Capitol expected an
elaborate consideration of the stirring incl
dents Of the closing period. which have left
50 many problems to be solved In that just
opening
If So they were disappointed, for the
President resolutely put aside the allure
ment to declaim In Justification and expla-
nation In order to devote himself to
clear, fervent statement of the national
situation In Its broadest and most impor-
tant aspects The address gained in force
thereby and became state paper of the
first order.
There is no note of party triumph. no ex-
pIoitation of party purposes. The verdict
rendered by the people in November Is law.
the law of all. for all. The President notes
that there are "obstructionlsts who despair
and who would destroy confidence in the
ability OF our people to solve wisely and
for civilization the weighty problems rest
ing upon them" There have always been
pessimists in the land who have not pre-
vented national achievement and progress
The Presidents sentiment rings true ana
clear He shows an unfaltering spirit
which will meet with the hearty applause
and elicit the staunch support of the ma
tion.
Cuba and the Philippines call for the
most explicit references in the address,
The Cubans need feel no alarm as to the
purposes Of the United States In the light
of the honest words of the executive in
outlining the mode of government this
country will require of the islanders to
meet the obligations of the United States
and TO preserve proper relations with the
Union "a government capable of perform
ing the duties and discharging the func-
tiuns Of a separate nation. Of Observing its
international obligations of protecting life
and property in securing order. safety and
liberty and conforming TO the established
and historical policy of the United States
in its relation to Cuba" The President
kuowIedges the action of Congress relieving
Linn of the entire responsibility in the man
agement OF the delicate task of American
withdrawal and thereby he emphasizes the
fact further accented In connection with
the Philippines, that the executive and the
legislative branches OF the government are
in harmonious relationship.
The references to the Philippines
hopeful ard direct. Pacification is in sight,
and civil government is in process Of in-
gress eventually to discharge the duty. i'm
posed upon it by the treaty Of Paris, of
providing a form of government for the
archipelago. He po.ntedly declares that our
purpose is fixed not to yield .'the destiny
OF the loyal millions in the islands to the
disloyal thousands who are I'm rebellion
against the United States."-
The address proclaims the pledge OF an
American President to perform his fun
duty TO the nations new wards with the
same care that Is bestowed upon the resi-
dents Of the states. The "imperialism''
which his critics may extract from its SEN
timents is Of a kind to be welcomed by
both the American and the Filipino peoples
This address will easily take its place
among the notable utterances of the repub-
lies great leaders. as n clear, earnest pledge
of devoted labOrs for the attainment OF the
highest American ideal OF government