Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-24

republican policy, are essentially the
equivalent of gold.
II in the future the exigencies of
business. which no wisdom can now
foresee. should make additional none
tary or financial legislation advisable,
the republican party may be trusted to
enact it along rational lines.
Panama Issue Reviewed.
The Presidents course In Panama,
merits the most generous approval. He
dealt with delicate and difficult sit
uation clearly within our national
rights in such way as to make pos
stble the early completion of an 18TH
milan canal which has SO long been de-
manded in the interest of our COM
merce and the national defense.
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. It's ratification was contemp-
tuously refused by the Colombian gov
eminent. Thereupon the people of
Panama renounced their allegiance to
their independence. The President,
acting within the limits of his execu-
tive authority and in conformity with
well established precedent, promptly
recognized their independence. He ne
gotiated a treaty with Panama, where
by the United States obtained the nee
essary rights and franchises for build
| ing and operating canal.
When the instruction occurred up
on the isthmus the President safe
guarded American interests. He acted
promptly but deliberately, prudently,
but not rashly; firmly, not unlawfully.
He usurped no authority He only ex-
ercised that executive power which is
clearly vested In him by the consti-
tuition and which his predecessors had
employed under similar circumstances.
If he had failed to appreciate our
rights. or to act promptly and firmly,
blood would have been shed and the
rights Of American citizens would
have been sacrificed, and the construc.
ton of the canal would have been in.
definitely delayed.
The President in due time appointed
commission composed OF eminent
engineers and men of practical expert
ence to undertake the work of con-
structing the canal as speedily as prac-
ticable. There is no longer any doubt
or uncertainty as to the enterprise. It's
completion is now an assured fact,
and it will stand as one of the memoir
able achievements Of the new century.
The completion Of this great work
should be left to the administration
which has done 80 much to carry 1t
forward against formidable obstacles
abroad and vexatious opposition at
home.
4 Conditions In the Philippines.
! The administration In the Philip
pines has been dictated by broad
sense of duty. It has not been sub
versive OF our national ideals, but has
been in conformity with the best tradi-
lions Of the republic.
The archipelago came to the United
. States as the result of a war, and it
became the duty of the administration
to enforce the laws there as else
where, to maintain the national SOW
ereignty and to inaugurate civil gov
eminent. Before the instruction had
ceased President Mckinley admirably
expressed our purpose. Said he:
mo effort will be spared to build up
the waste places desolated by war and
by long years of misgovernment We
shall not wait for the end of strife to
begin the beneficent work We shall
continue, as we have begun, to open
the schools and the churches, to set
the courts in operation, to foster in
dustry and trade and commerce, and
in every way in our power to make
i, IO,,or he
: brought within our jurisdiction 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. believe the Filiptnos
will soon recognize the fact that it has
not lost its gift Of benediction in Its
7 world wide journey to their shores"
President Roosevelt has continued
the work in the same just and gener-
GUS spirit which inspired President
Mckinley
: Learning Self Government.
5 Military rule was quickly succeeded
by the civil authority. The people Of
the islands have been invited as far al
possible to participate in the work O.
, government. The judicial system has
! been improved, corruption has beer
! driven out, public schools have beer
established, and the people are alread!
enjoying large measure Of self gov
| eminent.
Congress has authorized represen.
tative assembly, to be chosen in du'
time by the people of the islands. TIT
! ballot box is not the sign of imperial
ism. No one need have any grave
, concern with respect to the future o
! the archipelago If the United States
t goes forward as heretofore inspired b.
9 the same lofty purpose which ha
i characterized the administrations O
!. President Mckinley and Presiden
. Roosevelt. We may safely trust t.
). the future to deal with the Filipinos II
= manner consistent with their high
est and best interests, and with tn
K duty and honor of the United States
The people of the islands have hat
i abundant evidence of the exalted pur
o pose of the United States. The vari
G Gus degrees of civilization amonl
= them, their unfamilaritv with civil
= duties make It inadvisable to indulg
9 in any declaration as to future poll
8 cies, which may lead to misunder
o standing. The people of the Philip
o pines do not distrust us. We need no
I5istrust ourselves Isl