The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-03-06
Teller's .nsinuation.

(OlOl duO NA1I. 1CllSIJ NuOS6 generous
purpose [ do not doubt, let fall a re-
mark which | regretted to hear. | do
not think it should pass unnoticed.
He expressed the opinion that the war
with Spain was unnecessary, that it
might have been avoided, but for some
malign influence, which at the critical
juncture operated upon the chief ex-
ecutive. What that evil influence was
the distinguished senator did not
pause to indicate. He was content to
put upon the pages of history for the
perusal of the student of the future
the imputation that some unholy in
fluence lay at the foundation of ex-
ecutive action.
Mr.. President, was there ever i'm
putation which has less basis of truth
upon which to rest? There is no one
who sat in this historic chamber dur
ing the stirring and tragic events i'm
mediately preceding the declaration of
war who does not know that President
Mckinley did all that mortal man
could to avert war, and that it was
with the utmost difficulty, as l have
hitherto shown, by personal appeal
that he delayed the declaration of war
by the congress. firmly believe that
1t was only through his great hold
upon the confidence of the congress
that the potential word was not spo-
ken earlier by it. No one can fail to
remember the anxious days and nights
N nj RI u-hf oh
the significant and decisive action of
congress.
"Malign influence, forsooth. Does
the honorable senator forget the un-
speakable tragedy in Havana harbor?
Has he forgotten the presidents mes
sage, transmitting the report of the
board of inquiry, and his appeal for
conservative judgment and action?
Has he forgotten the Incorporate Ut
terances in the congress, day after
day, which added to the frenzy of the
people? Has he forgotten the action
of the people to the highest pitch?
Malign influences, indeed, 1t was the
influence which controlled the body of
the American people and of most of
the members of congress. In the con-
gress abides the exclusive war-making
power, and he must, indeed, have been
an Indifferent observer of events who
failed to see the fact that the congress
of the United States would have de-
clared war in due time, utterly re-
gardless of the executive will.
"Malign influence, No, Mr.. Presi-
limest pages in American history SO
base a word There was no influence
which guided or controlled the chief
executive save that influence which
sprang from the great, enlightened,
patriotic heart of the American peo-
pie. Our present duty in
the Philippines may be stated sue
cinctly thus: First, put down all in
surrection and compel recognition of
American sovereignty; second, estab-
lish schools and educate the people;
third, promote public improvements,
construct highways for the ready in
tercommunication of the people of the
islands, improve harbors for the ac-
commodation of commerce; fourth,
erect municipal, provincial and insu-
lar governments modelled so far as
possible, after our republican institu-
tions, and as rapidly as is practicable
admit the Filipinos if they are shown
capable in the administration of their
own affairs. These are few vital
objects to which we are addressing
ourselves, and which will engage our
attention indefinitely. They command
the best and profoundest statesman
ship among us. If we discharge these
paramount duties in an intelligent and
earnest way we shall have gone far
toward solving the Philippine problem
and friends need not concern them
selves greatly as to the future.
The Government Bill.
CAS- is we'll known, there is before
the senate a bill providing for an in
sular government in the Philippines,
republican in form. The essential
features of this bill will undoubtedly
become a law, and the Filipinos will
soon enjoy a very large measure Of
republican government, and, under the
express sanction of congress, this will
indeed be a radical transformation In
the space of four or five years. There
is certainly nothing in this proposed
| legislation which can have any other
effect than to assure the Fflipinos Of
the broadest and most generous pur-
poses of the United States.
"Mr. President, I shall not further
detain the senate. We find in what
the government has accomplished in
the Philippines much to commend.
We find in what it is doing the most
abundant assurance of our ability to
successfully solve the great problem
which is upon our hands. We have
the courage, we have the ability to
meet every emergency which lies be-
fore us. Let us go forward, animated
by the one great purpose to discharge
our duties in full, inspired by the same
high purpose which actuated us when
we resolved upon war against the
Spanish power.
"Sir. those who read in large way
the purpose of the All-Wise Ruler see
in the tragic events of the last four
years a far-reaching Providence. Hav-
ana and Manila, and Santiago and Buff
falo, tell of the mighty cost of human
liberty; they chasten us; they show
how narrow is the boundary set to
our divine vision, and how we should