The San Francisco call., 1904-09-22

lation advisable, the Republican party may
The Presidents course In Panama merits
the most generous approval. He dealt with a
delicate and difficult situation clearly within
national rights in such way as to make
possible the early completion of isthmian
canal which has long been demanded in the
interest of our commerce and the national de-
fense.
He concluded the negotiations with Great
Britain for the abrogation OF the Clayton
Bulwer treaty. He negotiated treaty with
the republic of Colombia for the requisite
rights and franchises for the construction and
operation Of a canal. Its ratification was
contemptuously refused by the Colombian Gov
ernment Thereupon the people of Panama
renounced their allegiance to the parent gov
ernment and declared their Independence. The
President, acting within the limits of his exc
cutive authority and in conformity with well
their Independence He negotiated treaty
with Panama whereby the United States OBJ
tained the necessary rights and franchises for
building and operating the canal
When the insurrection occurred upon the
isthmus the President safeguarded American
interests. He acted promptly. but deliber-
ately; prudently, not rashly; firmly. not un-
lawfully He usurped authority. He only
exercised that executive power which is clearly
vested in him by the constitution and which
his predecessors had employed under similar
circumstances. If he had failed to appreciate
blood would have been shed and the rights
OF American citizens would have been sacri-
feed and the construction of the canal would
have been indefinitely delayed.
The President in due time appointed a COM
mission composed of eminent engineers and
men Of practical experience to undertake the
work Of constructing the canal as speedily as
practicable. There Is no longer any doubt
or uncertainty as to the enterprise Its COM
pletion is assured fact and II Will
stand of the memorable achievements
Of the new century.
The completion of this great work should be
left to the administration which has done SO
much to carry it forward against formidable
obstacles abroad and vexatious opposition at
home
The administration in the Philippines has
been dictated by broad sense of duty. 1t has
not been subversive Of our national ideals. but
has been in conformity with the best tradi-
tons of the republic.
The archipelago came to the United States
as the result Of war and 1t became the duty
elsewhere to maintain the national SOW
ereignty and to inaugurate civil government
Before the insurrection had ceased President
Mckinley admirably expressed our purpose.
mo effort will be spared TO build up the
of misgoverpment. We shall not wait for the
end Of strife to begin the benefcent work We
shall continue as we have begun, to open the
schools and the churches to set the courts
In operation to foster industry and trade and
raua ,bs~e anu pennie whom nroyidsPcs has
brought within jurisdiction feel that 1t is
their liberty and not our power. their welfare
and not our gain. we are seeking to enhance
Our flag has never waved over any community
but in blessing. believe the Filipinos will
soon recognize the fact that 1t has not lost
its gift of benediction in its world vvide tour
ney to their shores.
THE MCKINLEY SPIRIT.
President Roosevelt has continued the work
in the same just and generous spirit which in
spired President Mckinley.
Military rule quickly succeeded by the
civil authority The people OF the islands have
been invited fast possible to participate
in the work of government. The judicial sys-
tenn has been improved corruption has been
driven out, public schools have been estab-
lished and the people already enioying
large measure OF self government.
Congress has authorized a representative as
sembly to be chosen in due time by the people
OF the islands. The ballot box is not the sign
of Imperialism. No one need have any grave
archipelago IL the United States goes forward
as heretofore inspired by the same lofty nur
pose which has characterized the adninistra
tons of President Mckinley and President
Roosevelt. We may safely trust to the future
to deal with the Filipinos in a manner CON
with the duty and honor OF the United States
The people of the Islands have had ahnn
dant evidence of the exalted purpose Of tha
United States. The various degrees of civil
ization among them. their unfamiliaritv With
civic duties, made 1t inadvisabIe 10 induiea
which may lead to misunderstanding The
people of the Philippines do not distr,Ist ne
We need not dstrust ourselves.
Our opponents say the Philippine policy does
not pay. They should not forget that the
United States did not go to war with Snain
for dollars and cents They should rerne1,, np11n
Der that when 1t comes to matter OF duty
the United States does not consider the cost
When the history Of our country is written
1t will be found that there is no brighter mage
or one which will yield more pleasure and