Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-22

| merits the most generous approval. lie
dealt with Il delicate and difficult situ-
alton clearly within our national rights
! in such Il way as to make possible the
| early completion of an isthmian canal
J which has long been demanded in the
interest of our commerce and the ma
| tional defense
He concluded the negotiations with
Great Britain for the abrogation of the
Clayton-B ulwer treaty. He negotiated
treaty with the Republic of Columbia
TOR the requisite rights and franchises
for the construction and operation of
canal. Its ratification was contemptu-
ously refused by the Columbian govern-
ment. Thereupon the people of Pana-
ma renounced their allegiance to the
parent government and declared their
Independence. The President. acting
within the limits of his executive au-
thority, and in conformity with WE'LL
established precedent. promptly recog-
| niZed their independence. He nego-
| tiated treaty with Panama, whereby
| the United States obtained the neces.
| sary rights and franchises for building
and operating the canal
When the instruction occurred upon the
ed
/ American interests. He acted promptlv
but deliberately; prudently, not rashly:
hlmlE, not unlawtully He usurped no
authority lie only exercised that eXccu-
| tive power which is clearly vested in him
| by the constitution. and which mis- pr.-
dcceSSors had employed under simil;,r Gin
cuilstanceS. Ii tie had tailed 10 aunr,ri
axe our rights, to act nrmiv and
i,loml'tlE, blood would have been shed and
the rights OF American citizens would have
, been SacrIflCtd. and the construction oI
! the canal would have been lndelInitrly dc
| laYtd. y"
The President in due time appointed :,
| commission composed OF eminent tnuI-
| hcerS ana men OF practical experience Ia
| undertake the WORK OF constructing TN,
| canal as speedily as practicable There is
| ~ ~, ioii7tn any u9uot or uncei tainty as to
| tle enterprise. Its completion is now an
| assured :act. and it will stand as one of
| the memorable achievements OF The new
| century.
| The completion of this great worl,
| should hc left to the administration wnIch
| mas done 50 much to carry it forward
| against formidable obstacles abroad ana
| NeXalouS opposition AZ home
| The administration i'll the Philippines
| mas been dictated by broad scnS,. of
/ duty. 1t has not been Stlhvrrsiy,. of our
| national ideals. but has been in conform
| lie
The archipelago came to the United
| States as the result of IL war, and it be-
| came the duty OF the administrators +,
| enforce the laws there as elsewhere tu
maintain the national sovereignty, and to
| inauSurate civil government. Before the
| lnsurrection had ceased President Mckin-
| said he:
No effort will be spared to build up the
| waste places dcsolated by war and by
| long wears of mis- gOvernment. We shall
| not walt Tor the end of strife to begin the
benetccnt work. We shall continue as We
have begun to open the schools and the
| churches. to set the courts in operatior
| to faster industry and trade and com
| mcrce. and in every way in our power to
/; make these people whom Providence has
brought within our jurisdiction feel that
| II IS tt"ir liberty and not our power;
! their welfare. and not our gain. We are
sefh:'s I" enhance. our flag has never
waived over any community but IN bless
| lng. l belicvc the Philippines will soon
recognize tn" fact that it has not lost its
Elft ~ benediction in its Worldwide jour
| hey to their shores"
President Roosevelt has continued the
work in the same Just and generous spir-
it which inspired President Mckinney
Military rule was quickly succeeded by
| the civil authority. The people of the
| islands have been invited as fast as pos
slble to participate in the work of govern
ment. The judicial system has been i'm
proved. corruption has been driven ont
public schools have been established and
the people are already enjoying a large
| measure of government
congress mas authorized representa-
tive assembly to be chosen in due time by
the people of the islands. The ballot box
Is not the sign of imperialism. No one
,iee4 nave any grave concern with respect
u, me future of the archipelagO If the
United States goes forward as horetofnrc
inspired 10y the same lofty purpose which
has characterized the administration of
| President Mckinley and President Roosc
N"it. We may safely trust to the future
to deal with the Philippines in a manner
consistent with their highest and best in
tcrcSt, ana with the duty and homer of the
| nit"d States.
| The" people of the islands have had
| abundant evidence of the exalted purpose
Of III" United States. The various degrees
| OF civilization among them their nm
familiarity with civic duties make it in
advisable t" indulge in any declaration as
to the iuture policies: which may lead to
| philippines do not diStruSt us We need
not distrlISt ourselves
our opponents say the Philippine policy
docs not pay They should not forget
that the United States did not go to war
with Spain for dollars and cents They
should remember that when it comes to a !
consider the cost. When the history ~
Our country is written, it will be found
that thert. Is no brighter page. or one
which will Weld more pleasure and salts
faction in its contemplation than the ono
which tells of our discharge of the re-
sponsihiltics growing ont of the war
with Snain. The archipelago belongs to
|
this government by virtue Of the treaty
of peace negotiated and ratified accord |
| ing to the requirements of the ConStitr- |
ti"n. and the responsibility of admins ra-
| ton rests un0n MS. not as matter Of
sentiment. hit as Il duty imposed by the
. | Obligations of the law
The application of tho proceeds of pub
| nc land sales to the rcclamatind of irriga-
bic portions of our arid and semi-arid
public domain, meets my cordial approval
| Through the enlightened policy thus es-
tahliShed under the present admnistra-
ton. the 1onC-dofcrred hopes of the str,Ic-
, | Cling settlers of tho great arid and semi !
| arid west. will I've realized in the M
building of substantial communities in
| PLACES hitherto waste or comparatively
unnroductive. AT the same time vast
area of the public domain will he opered
upon which the Industrious homnseekcrs
now residing in ovpr-crowded "a stern CEN
ters. may find homes. The sum of over
| twenty millions of dollars now available
| IN the reclamation fund. to which addi-
| lions are constantly being made guaran-
. tees. under the wise adminstra tion. great
progress in the work % irriga ton and
The settlement of the arid region within a
| few years
The development of trade with the
orient promises to absorb the increased
production Of cereals in the far West so
| ~ -ta ,,1-zA At0