The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-11-22
URDUTYN PHILIPPINES
Roosevelt Says We Must Face It
Whether We Will or Not.
CANNOT ABANDON THE ISLANDS


Resident, in Speech Welcoming Gen.
sraI Wright Home, Discusses Philip
pines and Declares We Could Not
Leave Them Without oiscredit.
Memphis. Tenn. Nov. 2O.-AIthough
the festivities yesterday celebrating
the Homecoming OF GcAeral Luke F.
Wright. it is no reelection on the
warmth Of the welcome extended TO
him to say that President Roosevelt's
presence was the overshadowlng fea-
ture of the day. Excursion trains
were run into the city and a number
Of distinguished people was present to
participate in the celebration. Among
them were Governor Benton McNu-
Ian and General Joseph Wheeler. In
the afternoon the president attended
aid spoke at two receptions given in
honor Of General Wright one at the
Auditorium by white citizens, the 9th
er at han in the black section OF
the city by the colored people. Later
there was colonial danes tea att
night with an elaborate banquet. az
which the president delivered
speech. Including some brief remarks
at the breakfast, the president spoke
four times during the day.
After welcoming General Wright
home and paying him a high tribute
on the work he accomplished in the
Philippines. President Roosevelt.
speaking at the banquet. said:
General Wright's work has been as
difficult as it was important The
events OF the last four years have def
'nitely decided that whether we wish
to or not. we must hereafter play
great part in the world. We cannot
escape facing the duties. We may
shirk them II we are built of poor
stun. OF we may take hold and do
them II We are ft sons OF our sires-
but face them we must. whether we
will or not Our duty in the Philip
pine Islands has simply been one of
the duties that thus have come upon
us. We are there. and we can no more
haul down our flag and abandon the
Islands than we could now abandon
Alaska. Whether we are glad or sorry
that events forced us to 20 there Is
aside from the question: the point is
that. as the inevitable result OF the
war with Spain. we found ourselves in
the Philippines and that we could
not leave the islands without discredit.
THE islanders were wholly unfit to
govern themselves. and if we had left /
there would have been brief period
OF bloody chaos. and then some other
nation would have stepped in TO do
the work which we had shirked. Il
cannot be too often repeated that
there was no question that the work
had 10 be done. All the question was.
whether we would do It well or Ill;
and. thanks to the choice of men Ike
Governor Wright, 1t has been done
well. The first and absolutely indis-
pensable requisite was order-peace.
reign OF anarchy could no more be
sistance TO legitimate authority. the
reig nof anarchy could no more be
tolerated abroad than It could be toll /
Grated here in our own land. The /
American flag stands for orderly lib |
erty, and 1t stands for II abroad as Il 1
stands for IT at home"
The reception rendered by the col |
ored people was truly remarkable. /
General Wright earned their undying |
gratitude during the two yellow fever |
epidemics 20 years ago by remaining
here when most OF the whites had
fed, and seeing that the sick were
cared for The hall was packed. and
the whole spirit of the proceedings
breathed admiration for their friend.
The presidents reception beggars de-
scription. The colored people became
almc7t frantic jumping up and down
IN their enthusiasm and yelling them
selves hoarse.
At midnight the presidential party
left for Washington over the Southern
Railway. No stops will be made on
the way. The train will reach Wash
ington at o'clock tomorrow morning.