SUES THIS AltGO COMPANY! wosdebkui. cure of diarrhoea. LOWEU CO UHT AFFJ KM KI. .. . .. ...... rumiTicui nmiiunrn 2 Id . A MVCT0IflnQ..IUWl status of the native Inhabitants of tbe terri tories hereby ceded to the United States shall be determined by tbe Congress." Eleven days thereafter, on Dec. 21, the fol lowing direction was given to the command er of our forces in the Philippines: "The military commander of the United Ftates Is enjoined to make known to the In habitants of the Philippine Islands that. In succeeding to the sovereignty of Spain, in severing the former political relations of the inhabitants and In establishing a new polit ical power, the authority cf the United Ftates Is to be exerted for the securing of the persons and property of the people of the Islands and for the confirmation of all their private rights and relations. It will be tbe duty of the commander of the forces cf occupation to announce and proclaim In the most public manner that we come not as Invaders or conquerors, but as friends, to protect the natives In their homes, in their employments and In their personal and re ligious rights." Scat a Commission. In order to facilitate the most humane, pacific and effective extension of authority throughout these islands, and to secure, with the least possible delay, the benefits of a wise and generous protection of life and property to tbe inhabitants. 1 appointed in January. 1X09, a commission consisting of Jacob Gould Sehurtnan of New York. Ad miral George lewey. U. B. N.; Charles Denby cf Indiana. Professor Dean C. Wor cester of Michigan, and Major Oeueral El weil S. Otis, U. S. A. Their Instructions contained the following: "In tbe performance of this duty the com missioners are enjoined to meet at the , earliest possible day In the city of Manila, nnd to announce by public proclamation their presence and the mission intrusted to tbem. carefully setting forth that, while the military government already proclaimed Is to be maintained and continued so long as necessity may require, efforts will be made to alleviate the burden of taxation, to estab lish Industrial and commercial prosperity, and to provide for the safety of persons and of property by such means as may be found conducive to these ends. Oiven Careful Instructions. "Tbe commissioners will endeavor, with out interference with the military authori ties of the United States now in control of the Philippines, to ascertain what ameliora tion in the condition of the inhabitants and what Improvements In public order may bo practicable, and for this purpose they will cfudy attentively the existing social and po litical state of the various populations, par ticularly as regards the forms of local gov ernment, the administration of justice, the collection of customs and other taxes, the means of transportation, and the need of public improvements. They will report the results of their observations aud reflections, and wiil recommend such execu tive action as may from time to time seem to them wise and useful. The commissioner are hereby authorized to confer authoritatively with any persons resident in tbe Islands from whom they may believe themselves able to derive informa tion or suggestions valuable for the pur poses cf their commission, or whom they may choose to employ as agents, as may be necessary for this purpose. Avoided Harsh Measures. It Is my desire that In all their relations with the Inhabitants of the Islands the com missioners exercise due respect for all the Ideals, customs and institutions of the tribes which compose the population, emphasizing upon all occasions the Just and beneficent In tentions of the government of the United States. it Is also my wish and expectation that the commissioners may be received In a manner due to tbe honored nnd authorized representatives of the American Republic, duly commissioned on account of their knowledge, skill and Integrity as bearers of the good will, the protection and the richest blessings of a liberating rather than a con quering nation." On the Cth of February. 1S00, the treaty was ratified by the Senate of the United States, and the Congress Immediately ap propriated $20,000,000 to carry out its pro visions. The ratifications were exchanged by the United States and Spain on the 11th of April. 1S0U. As early as April, 1S99, the Philippine commission, of which Dr. Schurroan was president, endeavored to bring about peace In the Islands by repeated conferences with leading Tagalogs representing the so-called Insurgent government, to the end that some general plan of government might be offered them vrliich they would accept. Pleased tbe Natives. So great was the satisfaction of the Insur gent commissioners with the form of gov ernment proposed by the American com missioners that the latter submitted the proposed scheme to me for approval, and my action thereon Is shown by tbe cable mes sage following: -May !5, 18U0. Scburman, Manila: Yours 4th received. You are authorized to propose that, under tbe military power of the Presi dent, pending action of Congress, govern ment of the Philippine Islands shall consist of governor general appointed by the President, cabinet appointed by the govern or general, a general advisory conncll elect ed by the people, the qualifications of elect ors to be carefully considered and deter mined, and tbe governor general to have ab solute veto. Judiciary strong and Inde pendent, principal judges appointed by the President. The cabinet and judges to be chosen from natives or Americans, or both, bating regard to fitness. "The President earnestly desires the cessa tion of bloodshed and that tbe people of the Philippine Islands at an early date shall have the largest measure of local self-government consistent with peace and good order. Si ens of Treachery. In tbe latter part of May another group of representatives came from tbe Insurgent leader. Tbe whole matter was fully dis cussed with them and promise of acceptance seemed near at hand. They assured our commissioners they would retnrn after con sulting with their leader, but they neTer did. As a result of the views expressed by tbe first Tagalog representative favorable to the plan of the commission, it appears that he was, by military order of the Insurgent leader, stripped of his shoulder straps, dis missed from the army and senteuced to twelve years' imprisonment. The views of the commission are best set forth In their own words: "Deplorable as war is. the one in which we ore now engaged was unavoidable by us. We were attacked by a bold, adventurous and enthusiastic army. No alternative was left to us except Ignominious retreat. Had to Remain. "It Is not to be conceived of that any American would have sanctioned tbe sur render of Manila to tbe insurgents. Our ob ligations to other nations and to tbe friendly riliplnos and to ourselves and our flag- de manded that force should be met with force. Whatever tbe future of the Philippines may be. there Is no course open to us now except the prosecution of tbe war until tbe insur gents are reduced to submission. . "The commission Is of the opinion that there has been no time since the destruction of the Spanish squadron by Admiral Dewey when It was possible to withdraw our forces from the Islands either with honor to our selves or with safety to the inhabitants." After the most thorough study of the peo ples of tbe archipelago tbe commission re ported, among other things: "Their lack of education and political ex perience, combined with their racial and linguistic diversities, disqualify tbem. In spite of their mental gifts and domestic vir tue, to undertake the task of governing the archipelago at the present time. The most that can be expected of them Is to co-operate with the Americans In the administra tion of general affairs, from Manila as a center, and to undertake, subject to Amer ican control or guidance (as may be found necessary) the administration of provincial and municipal affairs. Would Invite Anarchy. "Should our power by any fatality be withdrawn, the commission believes that the government of the Philippines would speed ily lapse into anarchy, which would excuse. If It did not necessitate, the Intervention of other powers, and the eventual division of the Islands among tbem. Only through American occupation, therefore, is the Idea of a free, self-governing and united Philip pine commonwealth at all conceivable. "Thus the welfare of the Filipinos coin cides with the dictates of national honor in forbidding our abandonment of the archi pelago. We cannot from any point of view escape the responsibilities of government which our sovereignty entails, and the com mission Is strongly persuaded that the per formance of our national duty will prove the greatest blessing to the people of the Philippine Islands." Satisfied that nothing further onld be ac complished in pursuance of their mission until the rebellion was suppressed, and de siring to place before the Congress the re sult of their observations, I requested the commission to return to the United States. Their most Intelligent and comprehensive r.-port. was submitted to Congress. Otitic of the Commission. In March, IMio, believing that the Insur rection was practically ended aud earnestly desiring to promote the establishment of a stable government in the arcb'pelago, I ap pointed the following civil commission: William H. Taft of Ohio. Professor Dean C. Worcester of Michigan. Luke I. Wright of Tennessee. Henry C. Ide of Vermont, and Bernard Moses of California. My Instruc tions to them contaiued the following: "You (the Secretary of War) will instruct the commission to devote their at tention iu the first Instance to the establish ment of municipal governments. In which the natives of the Islands, both In tbe cities and in the rural communities, shall be af forded the opportunity to manage their own local affairs to the fullest extent of which they are capable and subject to tbe least de gree of supervision and control which a care ful study of their capacities and observation of the workings of native control show to be consistent with the maintenance of law, or der and loyalty. Awaits the Report. "Whenever the commission is of the opin ion that tbe condition of affairs In tbe isl ands is such that tbe central administration may safely be transferred from military to civil control they will report that conclu sion to you (the Secretary of War), with their personal recommendations as to the form of central government to be estab lished for the purpose of taking over the control. "Beginning with the 1st day of Septem ber, luuu, the authority to exerctse, subject to my approval through the Secretary of War, that part of the power of government In tbe Philippine Islands which Is of a leg islative nature Is to be trsnsferred from the military governor of the islands to this com mission, to be thereafter exercised by them In tbe place and stead of tbe military gov ernor, under such rules and regulations as you tthe Secretary of War) shall prescribe, until tbe establishment of tbe civil central government for the Islands contemplated Id the last foregoing paragraph or until Con gress shall otherwise provide. Legislative Anthority. "Exerclre of this legislative authority will Include the making or rules and orders hav ing the effect of law for the raising of reve nue by taxes, customs duties and imposts; tbe appropriation and expenditure of tbe public funds of tbe Islands; the establish ment of an educational system -throughout the Islands; tbe establishment of a system to secure an efficient civil service: the or ganization and establishment of courts; tbe organization aud establishment of municipal and departuiental governments, and all other matters of a civil nature of which the military governor Is now competent to pro vide by rules or orders of a legislative char acter. Tbe commission wlli also have power during the same period to appoint to office such officers under tbe judicial, edu cational and civil service systems and in the municipal and departmental governments as shall be provided." Holes for the Interim. Until Congress shall take action I directed that: "Upon every division and branch of the government of the Philippines must be Im posed these Inviolable rules: That no per son shall be deprived of life, liberty or prop erty without due process of law; that pri vate property shall not be taken for public use without Just compensation; that in all criminal prosecutions tbe accused shall en Joy the right to a speedy and public trial, to he tbforuied of the nature and cause of the accusation, to be confronted with tbe wit nesses against bim, to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have tbe assistance of counsel for bis defense; that excessive ball shall not be re quired, nor excessive fines Imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment Inflicted: that no persoa shall be put twice in jeopardy for the same offense, or be compelled In any crimi nal case to be a witness against himself; that the right to le secure against unreason able searchers anil seizures shall not be vio lated: that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist except as a punishment for crime; that no bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall le passed; that no law shall be passed abridging tbe freedom of speech or of the press, or tbe rights of the people to peaceably assemble atid petition the govern ment for a redress of grievances; that no law shall be made respecting tbe establish ment of religion or prohibiting tbe free ex ercise thereof, and that the free exercise and enjoyment of religions profession and worship without discrimination or prefer ence shall forever be allowed. . Extending Education. "It will be the dnty of tbe commission to promote and extend, and. as they find occa sion, to Improve, the system of education already inaugurated by tbe military authori ties. In doing this they should regard as of first Importance tbe extension of a system of primary education which shall be free to all, and which shall tend to tit tbe people for the duties of citizenship, and for tbe or dinary avocations of a civilized community. Especial attention should be at once given to affording full opportunity to all the people of the islands to acquire the use of the Rngllsh language. "Upon nil officers and employes of the United States. Iioth civil and military, should be impressed a sense of the duty to observe not merely the material but the per sonal nnd social rights of the people of the islands, and to treat them with tbe same courtesy aud respect for their personal dig nity which the people of the United States are accustomed to require from each other. All Fledges Kept. "The articles of capitulation of the City of Manila on the 13th of August. 1S08, con cluded with these words: 'This city, its in habitants. Its churches, and religious wor ship, its educational establishments and Its private property of nil descriptions, are placed under the special safeguard of the faith and honor of the American army. "I believe that this pledge has ben faith fully kept. As high and sacred an obligation rests upon the government of the linlted States to give protection for property and life, civil and religious freedom, and wise, firm and unselfish guidance In tbe paths of feace and prosperity to all the people of the 'hllipplne Islands.' 1 charge this commis sion to labor for the full performance of this obligation, which concerns the honor snd conscience of their country, in the firm hope that through their labors all the Inhabitants of the Philippine Islands may come to look back with gratitude to the day when God gave victory to American arms at Manila and set their land under tbe sovereignty and the protection of tbe people of the United States." Amnesty Proclaimed. That oil might share in tbe regeneration of tbe islands and participate in their gov ernment. I directed Gen. MacArthur. the military governor of the Philippines, to Is sue a proclamation of amnesty, which con tained among other statements the follow ing: "Manila. P. I.. June 21. 1900. By direction of the President of the United States the undersigned announces amnesty, with com plete immunity for the past and absolute liberty of action for the future, to all per sons who are now, or at any time since Feb. 4, 1SU;, have been In Insurrection against the l.'nited States in either a mili tary or civil capacity, and who shall, within a period of ninety days from the date there of, formally renouuee ail connection with such insurrection aud subscribe to a dec- Striking Phrases from President McKinley's Letter. It will be noted that the (Democratic) demand is for the immediate restora tion of the free coinage of silver at 10 to 1. If another issue is paramount, this Is Immediate. It will admit of no dclnv and will suffer no postponement. m We accept the Issue and again invite ing another and we hope a permanent nine another and we hone a tier which will continue inviolable the public m m w It Is our purpose to establish in the Philippines a government suitable to the wants and conditions of the inhabitants, and to prepare them for self-government, and to give them self-government when, they are ready for It, and as rapidly as they are ready for It. There has been no time since the destruction of the enemy's fleet when we could or should have left the Philippine archipelago. After the treaty of peace was ratified no power but Congress could surrender our sovereignty or alienate a foot of the territory thus ucquired. Every effort has been directed to their (Filipinos) peace and prosperity, their advancement aud well-being, not for our aggrandizement or for pride of might, not for trade or commerce, not for exploitation, but for humanity and civilization. The American question Is between duty and desertion. The American verdict will be for duty aud against desertion, for the republic against both anarchy and imperialism. Honest co-operation of capital Is necessary to meet new business conditions, and extend our rapidly increasing foreign trade, but conspiracies and combina tions intended to restrict business, create monopolies and control prices should be effectively restrained. For labor a short day is better than a short dollar. Unless something unforeseen occurs to reduce our revenues or Increase our ex penditures, the Congress at lis next session should reduce taxation very ma terially. . We ought to own tbe ships for our carrying trade with the world, and we ought to build tbem in American shipyards aud man them with American sailors. '-ration acknowledlng and accepting the -overelgnty nnd authority of tbe United States In and over the Philippine Islands. "The privilege herewith published Is ex tended to all concerned without any reser vation whatever, excepting that persons who have violated the laws of war during the period of active hostilities are not embraced within the scope or tnis amnesty. Pay Offered for Rifles. "In order to mltlgrate as much as possible consequences resulting from the various dis turbances which since lbUo have succeeded each other so rapidly, and to provide in some measure for destitute Filipino soldiers during the transitory period which must Inevitably succeed a general peace, the mili tary authorities of the United States wlli pay 30 pesos to each man who presents a rifle In good coudltlou." Under their Instructions the commission, composed of representative Americans of different sections of the country and from different political parties, whose character and ability guarantee tbe most faithful In telligence and patriotic service, are now laboring to establish stable government un der civil control, in which tbe Inhabitants shall participate, giving tbem opportunity to demonstrate bow far they are prepared for self-government. Quotes the Commission. This commission, under date of Aug. 21. 1000. makes an interesting report, from which I quote the following extracts: "Hostility against Americans was orig inally aroused by absurd falsehoods of un scrupulous leaders. The distribution of troops la 3X posts has by contact largely dispelled hostility, aud steadily improved temper of people. This Improvement Is fur thered by abuses of insurgents. Large num bers of people long for peace and are willing to accept government under the United States. "Insurgents not surrendering after defeat divided into small guerrilla bands under gen eral officers or became robbers. Nearly all of tbe prominent generals and politicians of the Insurrection, except Aguinaldo, have since been captured or have surrendered and taken the oa.h of allegiance. "All northern Luzon, except two provinces, substantially free from Insurgents. People busy planting, and asking fcr municipal or ganization. Railway and telegraph lines from Manila to Dagupan. 122 miles, not mo lested for five months. liana Native Militia. "Tagalogs alone active In leading guerrilla warfare. In Negros, Cebu. Romblon, Mas bate, sihuyan. Tablas. Bobol and other Phil ippine Islands little disturbance exists, and clvil government eagerly awaited. "Four years of war and lawlessness la parts of Islands have created unsettled con ditions. Native constabulary and militia, which should be orgsnized at once will end this and the terrorism to which de fenseless people are subjected. The natives desire to enlist in these organizations. If judiciously selected and officered, will be efficient forces for maintenance of order, and will permit early material reduction of United States troops. "Turning Islands over to coterie of Taga log politicians wiil blight fair prospects of enormous Improvement, drive out capital, make life and property secular and relig ious most insecure: banish by fear of cruel proscription considerable body of conserva tive Filipinos who have aided Americans la well-founded belief that tbelr people are not now fit for self-government, and reintro duce same oppression and corruption which existed in all provinces under M.ilolos in surgent government during the eigbt months of its control. The result will be factional strife between jealous leaders, chaos and anarchy, and will require and justify active intervention of our governnieut or some other. Trade Follows Peace, "Business interrupted by war much Im proved as peace extends. In Negros more sugar in cultivation than ever before. New forestry regulations give Impetus to timber, trade and reduce high price of lum ber. The customs collections for last quar ter 5a per cent greater than ever in Spanish history, and August collections show fur ther increase. The total revenue for same period one-third greater than In any quarter under Spain, though cedula tax chief source of Spanish revenue, practically abolished. "Economy and efficiency of military gov ernment have created surplus fund of $. OOO.dOO, which should be expended in much needed public works, notably improvement of Manila harbor. With proper tar iff and facilities Manila will become great port of Orient." , ,., The commission Is confident that by a Judicious customs law, reasonable land tax and proper corporation franchise tax. im position, of no greater rate than that in the average American State will give less an novance and with peace will produce reve nues sufficient to pay expenses of efficient government. Including militia and constabulary.-' No Sign of Alliance. They "are preparing a stringent civil ser vice law giving equal opportunity to Fili pinos and Americans, with preference for the former where qualifications are equal, to enter at the lowest rank aud by promotion reach the head of the department. "Forty-five miles of railroad extension under negotiation will give access to a large province rich In valuable minerals, a mile high, with strictly temperate climate. Railroad construction will give employment to many and communication will furnish a market to vast stretches of rich agricultural lands." , ,. They report that there are "calls from all parts of the islands for public schools, school supplies and English teachers, greater than the conimlssloa can provide until a comprehensive school system Is organized. Night schools for teaching Knglish to adults are being established In response to popular demand. Native children show aptitude in learning English. Spanish Is spoken by a small fraction of the people, and In n few veurs the medium of communication In the courts, public offices and between different tribes will be English. Working for Humanity. "Creation of central government within eighteen months, under which substantially all rights described In the bill of rights in the federal constitution are to be secured to the people of the Philippines, will bring to them contentment, prosperity, education and political enlightenment." This shows to uiv countrymen what has been and Is bwlng doue to bring the benefits of libertv and good government to these wards of" the nation. Every effort has been the sound money forces to Join in triumph, for an honest financial sj w In- system faith. directed to their peace and prosperity, their advancement and well-being, not for our ag grandizement nor for pride of might, not for trade or commerce, not for exploitation, hut for humanity and civilization, and for the firotectlon of the vast majority of the popu atlon who welcome our sovereignty against the designing minority whose first demand after the surrender of Manila by the Span ish army was to enter the city that they might loot It and destroy those not In sym pathy with their selfish and treacherous de signs. Civil Service to Rule. Nobody who will avail himself of the facts will longer hold that there was any alliance between our soldiers and the insurgents or tnat any promise or Independence was made to tbem. Long before their leader had reached Manila they had resolved. If the commander of the American navv would give them arms with which to fight the Spanish army, they would later turn upon us. which they did murderously and without the shadow of cause or justification. There may be those without the means of full Information who believe that we were in alliance with the Insurgents and that we assured mem that they should have Inde pendence. To such let me repeat the facts: On the 26th of Mar. 1808. Admiral Dewev wss Instructed by me to make no alliance with any party or faction In the Philippines that would incur liability to maintain their cause in tne future, aud he replied under date of June 6, 1SOS: "Have acted according to spirit of depart ment's Instructions from the beginning, and I have entered Into no alliance with the in surgents or with any faction. This squadron can reduce tbe defenses of Manila at anr moment, but It Is considered useless until the arrival of sufficient United States forces to retain possession." Denies Any Compact. In the report of the first Philippine com mission, submitted on Nov. 2. 18W, Admiral Dewey, one of its members, said: "No alliance of any kind was entered into with Aguinaldo nor was any promise of in dependence made to him at any time." General Merritt arrived In tbe Philippines n July 25. 1S9S, and a dispatch from Ad miral Dewey to the government at Wash ington said: "Merritt arrived yesterday. Situation Is most critical at Manila. Tbe Spanish may surrender at any moment. Merritt's most difficult problem will be how to deal with the insurgents under Aguinaldo, who have become aggressive and even threatening to ward our army." Here Is revealed the spirit of the Insur gents as early as July, 1S9S, before the pro tocol was signed, while we were still en gaged In active war with Spain. Even then the Insurgents were threatening our army. Filipinos Took No Part. On Aug. 13 Manila was captured, and of this and subsequent events tbe Philippine commission says: "When the City of Manila was taken. Aug. 13, the Filipinos took no part in the attack, but came following in with a view to loot ing the city and were only prevented from doing so by our forces preventing them froTB th , ,aK"lo",l", claimed that he bad iSV-'F?.' -!wOOC,?T" city. He demanded Spanish prisoners. All these demands were refused." No Promises Made. Generals Merritt. Greene and Anderson wUo were in command at the beginning of our occupation and until the surrender of Maulla, state that there was no alliance with the Insurgents and no promise to them of independence. On Aug. 17, 198, General Merritt was Instrncted that there must be no Joint occupation of Maulla with the In surgents. General Anderson, under date of fr him.ie - U".. ne P"1" of Malacanan for himself and the cession of all the churches cf Manila, also that a part of the rT-fr t3hkP1 m ,tne 5,Plrds as spoils tL7au ShJ!Ulbl BlVn P' 'hove all. that he should be clven th a-- .!' Feb. 10. 1900, says that he was present at the iuterview between Admiral Dewey and the Insurgent leader, and that In this Inter view Admiral Dewey made no promises whatever. He adds: "He (Aguinaldo) asked me If my govern ment was going to recognize his govern ment. I answered that 1 was there simply In a military capacity; that I couid not ac knowledge his government, because I had no authority to do so." Easy to Find Fault. Would not our adversaries have sent Dewey's fleet to Mauila to capture and de stroy the Spanish sea power there, or. dis patching it there, would they have with drawn It after the destruction of the Span ish Beet; and If the latter, whither would they have directed to sail? Where could It have gone? What port In the Orient was opened to It? Do our adversaries condemn the expedi tion under the command of General Merritt to strengthen Dewey In the distant ocean and assist in our triumph over Spain, with which nation we were at war? Was It not our highest duty to strike Spain at every vulnerable point, that the war might be successfully concluded at the earliest prac ticable moment? Asks for Honest Opinion. And was It not our duty to protect the lives and property of tliose who came within our control by the fortunes of war? Could we have come awav at any time between May 1. 1898, and the conclusion of peace without a stain upon our good name? Could we have come awav without dishonor at any time after the ratification of the peace treaty by the Senate of the United States? There has been no time since the destruc tion of the enemy's fleet when we could or should have left the Philippine archipelago. After the treaty of peace was ratified no power but Congress could surrender our sovereignty or alienate a foot of the terri tory thus acquired. The Congress has not seen fit to do the one or the other, and the President had no authority to do either, if he hHd been so inclined, which he was not. So long as the sovereignty remains in us It Is tbe duty of the executive, whoever he may be. to uphold that sovereignty, and If it be attacked to suppress Its assailants. Would our political adversaries do lens? Begun by Ineureents. It has been asserted that there would have been no fighting In the Philippines If Con gress had declared Its purpose to give Inde pendence to the Tairal Insurgents. The In surgents did not wait for the action of Con gress. They assumed the offensive, they orened fire on our army. Those who assert our responsibility for the beginning of the conflict have forgotten that before the treaty was ratified iu the Senate, and while it was being debated In that body, and while the Hacoti resolution wns under discussion, on Feb. 4. ISO.!, the Insurgents attneked the American army, after being pre lously advised that the American forces were under orders not to fire upon them except In defense. Tbe pa pers found in the receutly captured archives of the insurgents demonstrate that this at tack had been carefully planned for weeks before it occurred. Only One Coarse Open. Their unprovoked assault upon our sol diers at a time when the Senate was delib erating upon the treaty shows that no ac tion on our part except surrender and aban donment would have prevented the fighting, nnd leaves no doubt In any fair niiinl where the responsibility rests for the shedding of American blood. With all the exasperated phraseniaking of this electoral contest, we are Iu danger of being diverted from the real contention. We are Iu agreement with all of those who sup ported the war with Spaiti, and also with those who counseled the ratification of tbe treaty of peace. Upon these two great es sential steps there can be tut Issue, and out of these came all of our responsibilities. If others would shirk the obligations Imposed by the war and the treaty, we must decline to act further with them, and here the issue was made. It is our purpose to establish In the Philip pines a governmenr suitable to the wants and conditions of the Inhabitants, and to prepare them for self-government, and to give them self-government when they are ready for It, nnd as rapidly as they are ready for It. That I am aiming to do under my constitutional authority, aud will con tinue to do until Congress shall determine the political status of the inhabitants of the archipelago. Plea for Consistency. Are our opponents against the treaty? If so. they must be reminded that it could uot have been ratified in the Sennte but for their assistauce. The Sennte which ratified the treaty and the Congress which added Its sanction by a large appropriation comprised Senators and Kepresentatlves of the people of all parties. Would our opponents surrender to the In surgents, abandon our sovereignty or cede It to them? if that be not their purpose, then It should be promptly disclaimed, for only evil can result from the hopes raised by our opponents in the minds of the Filipinos, that with their success at the polls In November there will be a withdrawal of our army and of American sovereignty over the arcbipela- J go, the complete Independence of the Taga- J log people recognized and tbe powers or government over nil the other peoples of the archipelago conferred upon the Tagalog leaders. Prolongs the Rebellion. The effect of a belief In the minds of the insurgents that this will be done has al ready prolonged the rebellion and increases the necessity for the continuance of a large army. It Is now delaying full peace Iu the archipelago aud the establishment of civil governments, and has influenced mauy of tbe Insurgents against accepting the lileral terms of amnesty offered by (Jeu. MacArthur under my direction. Hut for these false hopes a considerable reduction could have beu had In our military establishment In the Philippines and the realization of n stable government would be already at hand. The American people are asked by our op ponents to yield the sovereignty of the United States in the Philippines to a small fraction of the population, a single tribe out of eighty or more inhabiting the archipelago, a faction which wantonly attacked the American troops in Manila while in right ful possession under the protocol with Spain, awaiting the ratification of the treaty of peace by the Senate, and which has since been iu active, open rebellion against tbe United States. We are asked to transfer our sovereignty to a small minority in tbe islands without consulting the majority and to abandon the largest portion of the popu lation, which has been loyal to us. to the cruelties of the guerrilla Insurgent bauds. Demands Cannot Be Met. More than this, we are asked to protect this minority in establishing a government, and to this end repress ail opposition of tbe majority. We are required to set op a sta ble government la the Interest of those who have assailed our sovereignty and fired upon our soldiers, and then maintain it at any cost or sacrifice against Its enemies within and against those having ambitious designs from without. This would require an armr and navy far larger than Is now maintained in the Philip pines and still more In excess of what will be necessary with the full recognition of our sovereignty. A military support of author ity not our own, as thus proposed. Is tbe very essence of militarism, which our opponents In their platform oppose, hut which by tbelr fiolicy would of necessity be established iu ts most oflienslve form. No Premium on Mnrder. The American people will uot make the murderers of our soldiers tbe agents of the retiublic to convey the blessings of liberty and order to the Philippines. They will not make them the builders of the new common rnlrh Such n course would be a betrayal X our sacred obligations to the peaceful Flll anrl would Dlace St the mercy of dan gerous adventurers the lives aud property of tbe natives and foreigners. It wonid make possible ana easy ine commission or sucti atrocities as were secretly planned, to ! executed on the- .22d of February, 1S9", in the City of Manila, ichcn only the vigilance of our armr prevented th attempt to assas sinate our soldiers and ali foreigners and pillage and destroy the city nfld its surround ings. iu short, the proposition of those opposed to us to continue all the obligations ia the Philippines which now rest upon the gdvem ment, only changing the relation from pa cipal. which now exists, to that of suretv. Our responsibility Is to remain, but our pow er is to be diminished. Our obligation Is to be no less, but our title is to be surrendered to another power, which Is without experi ence or training, or the ability to maintain a stable government at home nnd absolutely helpless to perform its international obliga tions with the rest of tbe world. Will Defend Our Title. To this we are opposed. We should not yield our title while our obligations last. Iu the language of our platform, "Our au thority should not be less than our responsi bility," and our present responsibility Is to establish our authority in every part of the islands. No government can so certainly preserve tbe peace, restore public order, establish law. justice and stable conditions as ours. Neither Congress nor the Executive can es tablish a stable government in these Islands except under our right of sovereignty, our authority and our flag. And this we are do ing. Ve could not do It as a protectorate power so completely or so successfully as we are doing It now. As tbe sovereign power we can initiate action and shape means to ends, and guide the Filipinos to self-development and self government. As a protectorate power we conld not Ini tiate action, but would be compelled to fol low aud uphold u people with no capacity yet to go alone. In the one case we can pro tect both ourselves and the Filipinos from being Involved in dangerous complications; in the other we could not protect even the Filipinos until after tbelr trouble had come. Consent of the Governed. Besides. If we cannot establish any gov ernment of our owu without the consent of the governed, as our opponents contend, then we could not establish a stable govern ment for them or make ours a protectorate without the like consent, and neither the majority of the people uor a minority of the people have Invited us to assume It. We couid not maintain a protectorate even with the cousent of the governed without giving provocation for conflict aud possibly costly wars. Our rights In the Philippines are now free from outside Interference and will continue so In our present relutions. They would not he thus free In any other relation. We will cot give up our own to guarantee another sovereignty. Our title is good. Our peace commission ers believed they were receiving a pood title when they concluded the treaty. The execu tive believed it was n good title when he submitted It to the Senate of the United States for Its ratification. Tbe Senate be lieved It was a good title when they gave it their constitutional assent, and the Con gress seems not to have doubted Its com pleteness when they appropriated $20,000,000 provided by the treaty. Title Is Unquestionable. If any who favored its ratification believed It gave us a bnd title tboy were not sincere. Our title Is practically identical with that under which we hold our territory acquired since the beginning if tbe government, and under which we have exercised full sov ereignty and established government for the inhabitants. It Is worthy of note that no one outside of the United States disputes the fullness and integrity of the cession. What, then, is the real Issue on this subject? Whether It is paramonnt to any other or not. It Is whether we shall be responsible for the government of the Philippines, with the sovereignty aud authority which enables us to guide tbem to regulated liberty, law. safety and progress, or whether we shnll be responsible for the forcible and arbitrary government of a mi nority, without sovereignty aud authority cn our part, and with only tbe embarrass ment of a protect orate, which draws us into their troubles without the power of prevent ing tbem. Obligations of War. There were those who two years ago were rushing t:s ou to war with Spain who are unwilling now to accept its clear conse quences, as there are those among us who advocated the ratification of the treaty of peace, but now protest against Its obliga tions. Nations which go to war must lie prepared to accept its resultant obligation, and when they make treaties must keep them. Those who profess to distrust the liberal and honorable purposes of the administra tion In its treatment of the Philippines are not justified. Imperialism has no place In its creed or conduct. Freedom is a rock up on which the Republican party was bulhled and now rests. Liberty Is the great Republi can doctrine for which the people went to war and for which a million lives were of fered nnd billions of dollars expended to make It a lawful legacy of all without the consent or master or slave. Strain of Hypocrisy. There Is a strain of Ill-concealed hypocrisy in the anxiety to extend the constitutional guarantees to the people of the Philippines, while their nullification Is ojM-nly advocated at home. Our opponent may distrust them selves, but they have no right to discredit the good faith and patriotism of tbe major ity of the people who are opiosed to them. They may fear the worst form of imperial ism with the helpless Filipinos In tbelr hauds. but If they do It Is because they have parted with the spirit and faith of the fath ers and have lost the virility of the founders of the party which they profess to represent. The Republican party doesn't have to as sert its devotion to the Declaration of Inde pendence. That Immortal instrument of the fathers remalued unexecuted until tbe peo ple, uuder the lend of the Republican party Iu the awful clash of battle, turned Its prom ises Into fulfillment. It wrote into tbe Con stitution the amendments guaranteeing po litical equality to American citizenship, and it has never broken them or counselled oth ers iu breaking tbem. it will not be guided In its conduct by one set of principles at home snd another set in the new territory belonging to tbe United States. Doctrine of Lincoln. If our opponents would only practice as well as preach the doctrines of Abraham Lincoln there would be no fear for the safe ty of our Institutions at home or their fright ful Influence in any territory over which our ting floats. Umpire has been expelled from Porto Rico snd the Philippines by American freemen. The flag of the republic now floats over these isluuds as nn emblem of rightful sovereign ty. Will the republic stay nnd dispense to their inhabitants the blessings of liberty, education and free Institutions, or steal away, leaving them to anarchy or Imperial ism? The American question Is - between duty and desertion. The American verdict wiil be for dnty nnd against desertion, for the Republic against both anarchy and imperial ism. The country has been fully advised of the purposes of the United States In China, and they will be faithfully adhered to us already ueuueu. Sufferers in Pekin. The nation Is filled with gratitude that tbe little band, among tbem many of our own blood, who for two months had been sub jected to privations and peril by tbe attacks of t'ltiless hordes at tbe Chinese capital, ex hibiting supreme courage in the face of de spair, have been enabled by God's favor to greet their rescuers and find shelter under their own flag. The people not alone of this land, but of all lands, have watched and prayed through the terrible stress and protracted agony of the helpless sufferers In I'ekiu: aud while at times the dark tidings seemed to make all hope vain, the rescuers never faltered in the heroic fulfillment of their noble task. We are grateful to our owu soldiers and sailors and marines, nnd to ail the brave men who, though assembled under many standards, representing peoples and races 'strangers in country and speech, were yet united iu the sacred mission of carrying succor to the be sieged, with a success that Is now the cause or a woria s rejoicing. Pass in k of Sectionalism. Not only have we reason for thanksgiving for our material blessings, but we should re joice iu the complete uniiication of tbe peo ple of all sections of our country that has so happily developed in the last few years and made for us a more perfect union. The obliteration of old differences, the common devotion to the flag aud the common sac rlfices for its honor, so conspicuously shown by the men of the North and South in the Spanish war, have so strengthened the ties of friendship end mutual respect that noth ing can ever again divide us. The nation faces the new century grate fully and hopefully, with Increasing love of x.-iiUtry. with firm faith In Its free institu tions", end with high resolve that they "shall not perljil from the earth." Verv respectfu ly jours, WILLIAM M'KINLEY. . ythiog