Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-22

THURSDAY, SEPIEMBI
ton was contempeuously refused by the
Coiom oian govergment. Thereupon the
people of Panama denounced their allegl-
ance to the parent government and de-
clared their Independence. The President,
acting within the limits of his executive au-
thority, and IN conformity with well-estab-
lished precedeht,r promptly recognized their
Independence He negotiated a treaty with
Panama. whereby -the United States OBJ
tanned the Necessary rights and franchises
for building and operating the canal.
When the iRsurfection occurred upon the
isthmus, the President safeguarded Ameri-
can interests Hefacted promptly but de-
liberately; prudensfy. not rashly; firmly.
not unlawfully. He usurped no authority.
He only exercised- that executive power
which is clearly vested IN him by the Con-
stitution, and+which his predecessors had
employed under similar circumstances. II.
he had failed to appreciate our rlgnts, OF
to act firmly and promptly, p.ooo Wouiu
have been shed and the rights OF american
citizens would have been sacrificed and the,
construction of the canal would have been
indefinitely delayed
The President In due time appointed a
commission, composed OF emlne .,n eng 81
undertake the work of constructing the
canal as speedily as practicable Ihere Is
no longer any doubt Or uncertainty as 10
the enterprise. Its completion Is now an
assured fact and 1t will stand as one OF
the memorable achievements or the ne"
century -, ,,,
The completion of this great work should
be left to the administration Whlcn mas
done so much to carry it forward against
formidable obstacles abroad and vexatious
opposition at home. ,.
The administration In the FhlliPpihess
has been dictated by a broad sense OF
duty IT has not been SubverSlVe OF our
national ideals but has been In con
formity with the best traditions or the
republic.
states as the result of a war, and 1t be-
came the duty of the administration 10
enforce the laws there as elsewhere. TO
maintain the national sovereignty anu ~. 10
inaugurate civil government. Before the
instruction had ceased PRESIDENT NC
Kinley admirably expressed our purpose.
Said he:
McKinley's Philippine Policy.
NO effort will be spared to build up
the waste places desolated by war ana
by long years of misgovernment. we
shall not wait for the end OF strife TO De-
gin the benehcent work. We shall con-
tinue as we have begun, to open the
schools and the churches to set the courts
in operation, to foster industry ana trace
and commerce. and in every way In our
power to make these people whom ProV1-
dence has brought within our jurisdic-
ton feel that it 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. l believe the Filipinos Will
soon recognize the fact that 1t has not
lost it's gift of benediction in Its world
wide journey to their shores.
President Roosevelt has continued the
work in the same just and generous
spirit which inspired President McKin-
ley.
Military rule was quickly succeeded by
the civil authority. The people of the is
lands have been invited as fast as pos
sible to participate in the work of gov
eminent. The judicial system has been
improved, corruption has been driven out,
public schools have been established, and
the people are already enjoying large
measure of self government.
Congress has authorized a 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
need have any grave concern with re-
spect to the future of the archipelago if
the United States goes forward as hereto
fore, inspired by the same lofty purpose
which has characterized the administra-
tions of President Mckinley and Presi-
the future to deal with the Filipinos in a
manner consistent with their highest and
best interests, and with the duty and
honor of the United States.
The people of the islands have had
abundant evidence of the exalted pur-
pose of the United States. The various
degrees of civilization among them, their
| unfamiliarity with civic duties. make it
lnadvisable to indulge in any declaration
as to the future policies, which may lead
to misunderstanding. The people of the
philippines do not distrust us. We need
not distrust ourselves.
Our opponents say the Philippine policy
does 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 matter
of duty, the United States does not consider
the cost. When the history of our coun-
try Is written, 1t will be found that there
Is no brighter page, or one which will Yield
more pleasure and satisfa elton in its con-
templa ton, than the one which tells of our
discharge of the responsibilities growing
out of the war with Spain. The archipelago
belongs to the United States. Its title is
vested in this government by virtue Of the
treaty of peace negotiated and ratified &C
cord!ng to the requirements of the Consti-
tuition, and the responsibility of administra-
| ton rests upon us, not as matter of senti-
ment, but as a duty imposed by the obliga-
| tons of the law.
| The application of the proceeds of public
| land sales to the reclamation Of irrigable
| portions of our arid and semi-arid public
domain, meets my cordial approval.
Through the enlightened policy thus estab-
| the long-deferred hopes of the struggling
| settlers of the great arid and semi-arid
| west will be realized in the upbuilding of
| substantial communities in. places hitherto
| waste or comparatively unproductive.
Public Domain to Be Opened.
! At the same time a vast area of the pub
| lie domain will be opened upon which the
| industrious homeseekers. now residing in
| oyer-crowded eastern centers may find
| homes The sum of over twenty millions of
dollars, now available in the reclamation
| fund, to which additions are constantly be-
| ing made, guarantees under the wise admin
| istration great progress in the work of ir
| rigation, and the settlement of the arid
| region within few years.
J The development of trade with the orient
| promises to absorb the increased produc
| ton of cereals in the far west so as to
! leave the market conditions on the Atlantic
| seaboard undisturbed. The settlement of
| the present unproductive regions will open
| new market for the manufacturers of the
| east.
| Only by unduly extending this letter could
| / consider all the declaration embraced in
| the platform of the convention. Further
| reflection but strengthens my opinion of
| their wisdom and l shall give them my
| earnest support. We are gratiied that sec
| tional differences have disappeared and
| that fraternal spirit pervades the people
| of all sections of our country. We rejoice
| In a national Inheritance which is our COM
| mon pride Republican policies are as broad
| nur countryS needs They are neither