The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-13

, question of their political status will be
for the people of those islands themselves
to decide. Whether they will walk alone
and independent, or whether they will
walk hand In hand with us, as Canada
walks with England they-whoever they
shall then be--will decide. And as Eng
land respects the wishes OF Canada in this
regard so shall we then respect, and
ought to respect, the wishes of the Philip
pines.
IL is easy, dealing in excessive phrases
either in impracticable philanthrophy or
In the passion OF partisanship, to dwell
upon the difficulties. the embarrassments,
the mistakes, perhaps, the exhibitions OF
force-in short, all the violences through
which every good movement goes on; easy
, to carp at the delay. as IL Rome were
built in day; but TO stop with these is
not the part of wisdom One thing Is
true, that the surest way 10 independence
Is not by the announcement OF insurrec-
tion.
There Is another view--the wholesome,
the true view. The wonder is not that
so little has been done, but so much;
that there has been such an advance in
every line of progress; that In three years
the Philippines have been taken out OF
bondage and anarchic conditions; that the
real Philippine questions before us today
are not questions OF war but questions
of tariff, of trade OF education, of cur
rency-our own home questions; and that
we are sending there our best representa-
tives I'm every one of these lines
TRANSFORMATION OF CUBA.
What a miracle is the transformation
of Cuba Four years ago a scene of
murder. pillage. massacre, burning war.
Today a republic with its own constitu-
ton, Its own president; its sanitation
changed from the poison of a fever-bed to
the salubrity OF universal health.
There is but one obligation left upon
us. and that | hope TO see redeemed in
accordance with the recommendation of
our president, by adjusting our tariff 10
meet our moral obligation TO Cuba. Hav-
ing made her dependent upon us In the
respect OF her agricultural prosperity, we
should fulfill the duty which Is upon us
TO SO reduce the tariff on her sugar and
tobacco as not TO deprive her OF the one
return for her industry and labor.
/ have been I'm the cabinet now for five
years. And what an eventful five years!
Where shall we find story more brilliant
i'm the history of the world? The indus
trial development: the military glory. the
good times! The central figure. ot course.
is McKinley-the patriot the statesman,
the president, the martyr.
Less than any other man OF modern
times he needed martyrdom 10 elevate
him at once 10 the high place in the love
ana conndence or his COuntrvmen. That
kind heart. that exquisite domestic ex-
ample that unfalling tact. that master
of political problems both In legislation
and In administration. that power OF in
fuencng other men, that consummate
leadership! My own heart is full OF his
beloved memory
HEROIC AND STRENUOUS.
Let me add my good word for his sue
cessor, with whom at this time we all
sympathize. Honest. sincere. high
minded. heroic--strenuous No one can
be associated with him without feeling
how devoted he IL 90 the welfare and the
greatness OF his country. Ambitious n
you please, but ambitious "a win by doing
right. and not afraid TO do a.
But ~ is reward of high office that
no matter how much deureciatod I'm Ufe.
death. especially the mnrtvr's death. lifts
men 20 the heights Tho hest tribute we
can nav TO Lincoln Is Co act I'm his spirit:
7 20 rem mber his generous syrnnathies
yet his unflnching readiness to strike the
blow or spill the blood necessary 20 the
hrm achievement or frer dom No mar
row construction OF tho constitution.
rltories 10 rivet slavery there. hampered
him
And no narrow construction Of the con-
stitution would hamper him now in deal
ing with the problems of our insular
possessions today As he recognized the
the constitution 20 make necdfui rules
and regulations for our territories then
20 ne would recognize ~ TO-DAY He. too.
Jealous OF every safeguard " the consti-
tuition, yet looked through its letter 20 the
CONTINUED on Page SIX