Mexico Missouri message., 1904-08-18

fo"NA hdo DtSu uue NOT " the AhliuEo
of the courts to apply the law when
properly moved by administrative on
cials or private individuals, but to the
failure of officials charged with the
duty OF enforcing the law to take the
necessary procedure to procure the
judgments of the courts in the appro-
pirate jurisdiction, coupled with the
fact that the Legislative departments
of some Of our state governments, as
well as Congress in the manner al
ready referred to, have, by legislation,
encouraged their propagation.
What is needed, in addition to the
passage Of a statute revising the tariff
duties to a reasonable basis, is not 80
much other and different laws as off,
cials having both the disposition and
the courage to enforce existing law.
While this is my view of the scope Of
the common law. II 1t should be made
to appear that 1t Is a mistaken one
then favor such further legislation
within constitutional limitations as
will give the people a just and full
measure of protection.
Freedom for Filiplnos.
ut is difficult to understand how
any citizen of the United States, much
less a descendant of revolutionary
stock, can tolerate the thought of per-
manently denying the right Of self
government to the Filipinos. Can, we
hope for the respect of the civilized
world, while proudly guaranteeing to
every citizen Of the United States that
no law shall be made or enforced
which shall abridge the privileges or
immunities of citizens of the United
States, or deny to any person the
equal protection of the laws, and at
the same time not only deny similar
rights to the inhabitants of the Phil
ippines, but take away from them the
right Of trial by jury, and place their
lives and the disposition of their prop
erty in the keeping of those whom we
send to them to be their governors?
We shall certainly rue it as a nation
if we make any such attempt.
Responsibility In Philippines.
Viewing the question even from
the standpoint of national selfishness,
there is no prospect that the 100000
600 expended in the purchase of the
islands and the $65O,OOO,OOO said to
have been since disbursed will ever
come back to us. The accident of war
brought the Philippines into our DOS
session, and we are not at liberty to
disregard the responsibility which
thus came to us; but that responsible
ity will be best subserved by prepar-
ing the islanders as rapidly as posi-
BILE for self-goyernment and giving to
them the assurances that it will come
as soon as they are reasonably pre-
pared for it.
Should Avoid Foreign Disputes.
I'VE are not a military people, bent
on conquest or engaged in extending
our domains in foreign lands or de-
sirous of securing natural advantages,
however great, by force; but a people
loving peace, not only for ourselves,
but for all the nations of the earth.
II protest against the feeling, now
far too prevalent, that by reason of
the commanding position we have as
sumed in the world we must take part
in the disputes and broils of foreign
countries, and that because we have
grown great We should intervene in
every important question that arises
in other parts of the world. / also
protest against the erection of any
such military establishment as would
be required to maintain the country
in that attitude. We should confine
our international activities solely to
matters in which the rights of the
country or of our citizens are directly
involved.
"As have already proceeded at too
great length, other questions suggest
ed in the platform must await my let
ter of acceptance.
VIII Not Accept Second Term.
"Mr. Chairman: In most graceful
speech you have reminded me of the
great responsibility as well as the
great honor of the nomination be-
slowed upon me by the convention
you represent this day. Be assured
that both are appreciated-so keenly
appreciated that am humbled in their
presence.
Il accept, gentlemen Of the commit
tee, the nomination; and If the action
OF the convention shall be Endorsed by
an election by the people, l will. God
helping me, give to the discharge Of
the duties of that exalted ONCE the
best service OF which / am capable,
and at the end of the term retire to
private life. shall not be a candi-
date for nor shall accept a renomi-
nation.
Il make this statement not in crit
icism of any OF our presidents from
Washington down who have either
held the ofice for two terms OF sought
to succeed themselves; for strong ar
na, I,a IN, urruvawk