The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-04-17


Tennessee. 1t 10, therefore, an ex
exponent of this government and this
people in that great group of islands
in the Eastern seas OvCl which the
American flag floats. General Wright
has taken leading part in the work of
steadily bringing order and peace out
OF the bloody chaos in which We found
the islands. lie is now taking lead
ing part, not merely in upholding the
honor of the flag, by making it respect
cd as the symbol of power, but still
more in upholding its honor by un-
wcaried labor for the establishment of
ordered liberty, of law creating, law
abiding civil government under its
folds. The progress which has been
made under General Wright ami those
| like him has been indeed marvellous.
In fact, letter Of the generals the
other day seemed to show that he con-
siGcrcd there was far more warfare
about the Philippines in this country
than there was warfare in the Philip
pines themselves. 1t is an added proof
Of the completeness Of the reunion of
our country that one of tho foremost
men who have been instrumental in
driving forward the great work for
civilization and humanity in the Phil
ippincs, has been a man who, in the
civil war fought with distinction in a
uniform of Confederate gray.
I" If ever the need comes in the fu-
ture, the past has made abundantly
evident the fact that from this time on
NOrtherncr and Southcrner willin war
know only the generous desire to
strive how each can do the more
effective service for the flag Of our
common country. The Same thing is
true in the endless work of peace, the
never ending work of building and
keeping the marvellous fabric of our
industrial prosperity. The upbuilding
to tho whole and every effort, such as
this Exposition, to stimulate the re-
sources and industry Of a particular
section is entitled to the hcartlcst sup
port from every quarter of the Union.
Thoroughly good national work can be
done only If each Of us works hard for
himself, aud at the same time keeps
constantly in mind that he must work
III con junction with 9th crs."
You have made particular effort
in your exhibition to get into touch
with the West Indies. This is wise. The
events of the last four years have
shown us that the West Indies and the
lsthmus in the future occupy far
larger place in our national policy than
in the past. This Is proved by the
negotiations for the purchase of the
Danish islands, the acquisition of Porto
Rico, the preparation for building an
isthmian canal and finally by the
changed relations which these years
have produced between us and Cuba.
AS nation we have an especial right
to take honest pride in what we have
done for Cuba. Our critics abroad and
at home have insisted that We never i'll
tended to leave the island. But on
the 20Lh of next month Cuba becomes
free republic, and we turn over to
the islanders the control Of their own
government. 1t would be very difficult
TO find parallel in the conduct of any
great State that has occupied such a
position as ours. We have kept our
word and done our duty just as an
honest individual in private life keeps
his word and does his duty.
" BE it remembered, however, that
| after over three Years. occupation of
the island, we turn it over to the Gu
bans in better condition than it ever
has been in the centuries of Spanish
rule. This has n direct bearing upon
our own welfare. Cuba is 80 near to
us that we can never be Indifferent TO
misgOVcrnment and disaster within its
limits. The mere fact that our ad-
miulstration in the islands has mini
mized the danger from The dreadful
scrouge of yellow fever alike to Cuba
and to ourselves, is sufficient to empha-
size the community of interest between
us. But there are other interests which
bind US together. Cuba's position
makes it necessary that her political
relations With US should differ from her
political relations with other powers.
This fact has been formulated by us
and accepted by the Cubans in The
Plat amendments. 1t follows as c0rOl-
larry that where the Cubans have thus
assumed position of relationship to
stand in a peculiar relationship TO our
economic system.
"Wc have righLfully insisted upon
Cuba adopting toward US an attitude
differing politically from that she adopts
our political system they must similarly
toward any other power; and in return,
as matter of right, we must give to
Cuba a dilfcrcnt-that IL a better
position economically in her relations
with us than we give to other powers.
This is the course dictated by sound
policy, by wise and far.sighted view
of our own interest and BY the position
we have taken during the past four
years. We are wealthy and power
ful country, dealing with much weak
or one; and the contrast in wealth and
strength makes it all the more our
duty to deal with Cuba as we have al