Evening journal., 1902-11-20
MUST FACE DUTY
IN PHILIPPINES
President Says That Is What
Must Be Done by the
Country

Memphis. Tenn, Nov. 20.-Although
the festivities yesterday celebrating
the Homecoming of General Luke f.
Wright, 1t is no reflection on the
warmth of the welcome extended to
him to say that President Roosevelt's
presence was the overshadowing 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 MeMil-
Ian and General Joseph Wheeler. In
the afternoon the president attended
and spoke at two receptions given in
honor of General Wright, one at the
Auditorium by white citizens, the 9th
er at a hall in the black section of
the city by the colored people. Later
there was a colonial danes tea at
Gayoso, and the festivities closed last
night with an elaborate banquet, at
which the president delivered a
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 Wrights 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 a
great part in the world. We cannot
escape facing the duties. We may
shirk them If we are built of poor
stuff. or we may take hold and do
them If we are fit 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 go 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 a brief period
OF bloody chaos. and then some other
nation would have stepped in to do
the work which we had shirked It
cannot be too often repeated that
there was no question that the work
had to be done. All the question was,
whether we would do It well or i'll;
and, thanks to the choice of men like
Governor Wright, II 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 it stands for It abroad as It
stands for il 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
1ed, and seeing that the sick were
cared for The hall was packed. and
the whole spirit of the proceedings
breathed admiration for their friend.
Tho presidents reception beggars de-
Ecription. The colored people became
almc-t frantic, jumping up and down
in their enthusiasm and yelling them
selves hoarse.