The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-09-16
highest Office In the peoples gift.
HIS CUBAN POLICY.


HIS CUBAN POLICY.
"His great work was still before
him. lie found our relations will
Spain in a critical condition due tc
the irritating situation in Cuba. He
determined to do all within the rangt
of his official duties to better the con
dition of the Cuban people, to re-
lieve the strain upon our country and
If possible to accomplish these ENDS
without an appeal to arms. These
policy, steadily pursued, with much
accomplished, when the unlocked FOL
happened in the treacherous anchor.
Ing of the Maine, where she became
the easy prey of malicious persons
bent upon her destruction.
"The president realized that he
could no longer hope for a peaceable
settlement which did not include the
withdrawal of Spain from the Amer
ican continent and he promptly ad.
vised our minister at Madrid that only
such a settlement would be satisfac-
tory, and that no assistance could Le
Taforded to further plans of so-called
autonomy under Spanish rule. For
such settlement he worked with un-
firing zeal, while preparing for the re-
sort to arms, until the passage of the
resolution demanding withdrawal was
met by Spain sending to General
Woodford his passports, and war had
come.
When history shall record the
events of that brief struggle it will he
known how truly the president direct
ed the forces by land and sea.
''IIe had been soldier, but he low
ed peace, and knew in her victories
was our best security. He dreaded
the suffering which must come to Il
people IN the loss of its young and
gallant sons, more than all the treas
urc that war could cost, but he knew
that being in the conflict it was mer.
clful TO bend every energy to its sue
cessful prosecution.
In the making of peace he did moi
hesitate to demand an end of Spanish
rule in this hemisphere. He came
more slowly to the conclusion that our
duty required us to assume govern
mental responsibility over distant peo-
pie unused to self-government, and
having little in common with our in
stitutions and aspirations. After the
most anYouc cnp pcidarot ;,, he ,o,al,a 1
the conclusion that the situation did
not permit of a division of the Philip
pine Archipelago, and with conces-
sions to defeated foe he directed the
conclusion Of the treaty which as
aumcd the responsibility which he be-
lieved was right and in accord with
the well-grounded sentiment of a ma
Jority of his countrymen. Our duty
in the elevation of the races which in
habit the new domain controlled his
decision. and directed the administra
ton of the trust he had undertaken
for his country from the day of its
acceptance to the last day of his life.
Man is neither master of his life
or of his fate. He can but offer to his
feliowmen his efforts to diminish hui
man suffering; he can but offer to
God his indomitable faith in the
growth of liberty.
More clearly than those of our own
statesmen, Mr.. Gladstone foresaw the
sure growth of influence of the Amer
lean in the world, and of it he said:
Will it be instinct with moral life in
proportion to its material strength?
One thing is certain; his temptations
will multiply with his power, his re-
sponsibilities with his opportunities.
Will the seed be sown among the
thorns? Will worthlessness over-run
the ground and blight it's flowers and
it's fruits? On the answer to these
questions, and to such as these, it will
depend whether this new revelation of
power on the earth is also to be a
revelation Of virtue, whether it shall
prove a blessing or curse. May
Heaven avert every dark omen, and
grant that the latest and largest
SiuWu vi tHe STedt CUrlStdN ClNlilLd-
ton shall also be the brightest and
best
TO UPLIFT MANKIND.
mo man felt the weight of these
portentous questions more keenly
than did William Mckinley. He look
ed upon our growing territory as an
enlargement of the bounds Of liberty.
The exploitation Of weaker peoples
for our bnefit was utterly foreign to
his purpose, and he bent every en-
ergy to the uplifting of these people
by spreading the means Of education
and giving the right of self-govern-
ment n as great degree and as fast
as the situation admitted.
His countrymen learned to know
his great qualities of head and heart
and to trust his wisdom and courage,
and he became the unquestiOned lead
er Of his party. and was nominated by
universal consent for second term
Of the presidency. He 'signalized our
advent into the international council