The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-11

G2lEE1l Va
Tennessee. Il Is therefore an ex-Con-
federate who now stands as the expo
nent OF this government and this peo-
pie in that great group OF islands in
the eastern seas over which the Ameri-
can flag floats. General Wright has
taken leading part in the work OF
steadily bringing order ana peace out
of the bloody CHAOS in which We found
the islands. He Is now taking a lead
ing part not merely in upholding the
honor OF the flag by making IL re-
spected as the symbol OF our power,
but still more iA upholding its honor
by unwearied labor for the establish
ment OF ordered liberty-of law-creat-
ing, law-abiding civil government
under its folds
The progress which has been made
under General Wright and those like
him has been indeed marvellous. In
fact, letter OF the Generals the other
dav seemed to show that he considered
there was far NOR warfare about the
Philippines in this country than there
was warfare in the Philippines them
selves! It is On added proof OF the
completeness of the reunion OF our
country that Que OF the foremost men
who have been instrumental in driving
forward the great work for civilization
and humanity in the Philippines has
d
fought with distinction in u uniform
of Confederate gray
If ever the need comes IN the future
the past has mace abundantly evident
the fact that from this time on north
erner and southerner will in war know
onlv the generous desire to strive how
each can do the more effective SER
vice for the flag OF our common coun-
try. The same thing is true in the
l1nr
ing work of building and keeping the
marvellous fabric OF our Industrial
prosperity. The upbuilding OF any part
of our country is a benefit to the whole,
and every such effort as this To stimu-
late the resources and industry OF a
particular section is entitled TO the
heartieSt support from every quarter
of the union. Thoroughly good nation
al work can be Gone ONLY If each of US
works hard for himself. and at the
same time keeps constantly in mind
that he must work in conjunction with
Others
You have made a 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
1sthmus must IN the future occupy a
far larger place in our national policy
than in the past. This is proved bv
the negotiations for the purchase of
the Danish islands, the acquisition or
Porto Rico, the preparation for build
ing an Isthmain canal. and. finally, by
the changed relations which these
years have produced between US ana
Cuba. AS a nation we have an eS-
pecial right to take honest pride il,
what we have done for Cuba. Our
critics abroad and at home have in
toto
the island. But on the goth of next
month Cuba becomes a free republic
and we turn over to the islanders the
control of their own government. II
would be very difficult 70 find II paral-
lei in the conduct of any other great
state that has occupied such a position
as ours. We have kept our word and
done our duty, Just as an honest indi-
vidual in private life keeps his word
and does his dutv.
Be it remembered. moreover. that af-
ter our three years occupation OF the
island we turn 1t over to the Cubans In
better condition than it ever has been
in all the centuries of Spanish rule.
This has direct bearing upon our own
welfare. Cuba is so near to us that
we can never Le Indifferent to misgov-
ernment and disaster within its limits
The mere fact that our administration
in the island has minimized the dan
ger from the dreadful scourge Of yell
low fever. alike to Cuba and to our
selves, is sufficient to emphasize the
community of interest between u.s. But
| there are other interests which bind US
| together. Cuba's position makes it ne
| ceSSary that her political rela tons with
| US should differ from her political re-
| lations with other powers. This fact
has been formulated by US and ac-
! cepted by the Cubans IN the Platt
| amendments. It follows as a corollary
! that where the Cubans have thus as
! sumed Il position OF peculiar relation
| ship to our political system they must
| similarly stand in a peculiar relation
| ship 10 our economic system.
| We have rightfully insisted upon
| Cuba adopting toward US an attitude
| differing politically from that she
| adopts toward any other power: and
! in return, as L matter OF right, we
| must give TO Cuba different-that is, a
! better-position economically in he,
relations with US than we give &c
| other powers. This is the course die
| tated by sound policy, by n wise and
far-sighted view Of our own interest
! AID by the position we have take.
| during the past four years We are 2
wealthy and powerful country, deal
ing with q much weaker one: and IN.
| contrast In wealth and strength make,
Ii all the more cur duty to deal W u
Cuba, as we have already dealt Will
her, in spirit Of large generosity.
This exposition is rendered possible
because OF the period OF industria
prosperity through which we are pass
ing While material welI-being 4
never all-sufficient to the life OF
nation, yet IL IS the merest truisn {,
to say that its absence means ruin. W
need to build q higher life upon 10 a
foundation: but we can build Iittl
indeed unless this foundation Of pros
perity is deep and broad. The well
being which We are now enjoying cal
be secured only through general bust
ness prosperity. and such prosperit,
Is conditioned upon the energy an,
hard work. the sanity and the mu
tual respect. of all classes OF capl
taIists, large and small. OF wag
. workers OF every degree. AS is inevit
able in a time OF business prosperity
some men succeed more than others
and it Is unfortunately also inevitab
that when this Ii the case some un
wise people are sure TO try To anDeai 4,