The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-09-23


whole archipelago 1t is morally indefenst.
bic to hold any part of it, In such case
What right to control the Moro peoples
What right to protect the Igorrotes
What right to protect the law-abidins
friends of America in the islands from
abandon the islands completely, woa.d
mean to abandon our position in I'M.
petition for the trade OF the Orient, and
irreparable damage to those who have
become the wards Of the nation.
We have given them moro self-govern-
ment than they ever before had: we are
them an elected legislative assembly: and
surely we had better await the results
of this experiment before we make prom
ises which we might be forced to break
been as fine an example of constructive
craftsmanship and wise administrati ton as
given by the authorities in the Philippines
What Has Been Given.
So far from having slapped the foun-
dations' of free popular government at
nome by the course taken in the Philip
edge, and teaching its practice Our ac-
ton represents a great stride forward In
spreading the principles of orderly liberty
throughout the world. We have treated
the power we have gained as a solemn
obligation in the interest of mankind; and
the peoples of the world, especially the
weaker peoples, are better OFF.
Four years ago. in his speech of accep-
lance President Mckinley said:
I'VE have been moving in untried pats
but our steps have been guided by honor
and duty. There will be no turning aside
no wavering. no retreat. No bow has
been struck except for liberty and human
ity, and none will be- We will perform
without fear every national and inter
was dedicated to freedom forty-four years
ago. 1t has becn the party of liberty and
emancipation from that hour: not of pro-
fession, but OF performance i broke the
shaclles of four million slaves, and made
them free, and to the party of Lincoln
has come another supreme opportunity
which it has 5ravely met In the liberation
of ten millions of the human family from
the yoke of imperialism In its solution
of great problems, in its performance of
high duties, it has had the support OF
members of all parties in the past. and ii
confidently invokcs their cooperation in
the future"
THIS is as true now as four years ago.
We did not take the Philippines at will,
and we cannot put them aside at will
Any abandonment of the policy which We
have steadily pursued in the islands woulc
be fraught with dishonor and disaster
and to such dishonor and disaster do nc
believe that the American people VIII con
sent.
Issues Above Partisanship.
Our appeal is made to all good citizens
who hold the honor and the interest OF
the nation close to their hearts. The
issues are more than partisan issues. IN
der conditions as they are, good Amer
leans should refuse to change policy. We,
who are responsible for the administra ton
and legislation under which this country,
during the last seven years, has grown sc
greatly In well-being at home and honor
able repute among the nations, treat the
record of the past as Indictment to dc
better in future. We believe the pro.
greSs we have made may measure the
progress we shall continue to make. We
press toward the goal of moral and ma
terial Well-being, of just and fearless deal
Ing toward all other peoples, in the inter.
mankind. There Is not policy, foreign
or domestic which we are now carrying
out which it would not be disastrous tc
reverse or abandon. If our opponents
our policies, then they would be branded
with the brand of broken faith, of false
promise. of insincerity in word and deed
and no man can work to the advantage
of the nation with such a brand clinging
to him. If, on the other hand they should
come in and reverse any or all OF our poll
as a whole be damaged. Alike as law
maker and as administrators Of the law
we have endeavOred to do our duty in
the interest of the people as whole.
section, but to all good citizens, in what.
ever part of the land they dwell. and
whatever may be their occupation OF
worldly condition. We have striven both
for civic righteousness and for national
grea tness; and we have faith to believe
that our hands will be upheld by all who
feel love of country and trust in the up.
lifting of mankind. We stand for enforce.
ment of the law and for obedience to tne
law; our government is a government OF
orderly liberty equally alien to tyranny
and to anarchy: and its foundation stone
is the observance Of the law, alike by the
people and by the public servants. We
hold ever before us as the all-important
end of policy and administration the reign
of peace at home and throughout the
world: OF peace, which comes only by do
ing justice. Faithfully yours,
Theodore Roosevelt.