PRESIDENT M’KTNLErS letter
of acceptance is probably the most
important unofficial document is
suer! in this country in a quarter of a
century. The President takes the coun
try into his confidence and throws a new
light upon the history of the past two
years. Irrespective of its caustic arraign
ment of the critics of the administration
and its forceful clinching of the fact that
Bryanism means the “immediate” de
struction of the gold standard and sub
stitution therefor of free silver coinage
at the ratio of 10 to 1, the letter is im
portant in the historic sense because it
gives the American people their first
knowledge of the statesmanship and con
ditions connected with recent epoch-mak
ing events.
The President, although by nature a
mild and conciliatory man, can ite arous
ed to a point of dangerous oombntiveness,
Had when the mood is on him ho becomes
one of the most effective debaters we
have had in this country for many years.
In his letter he wastes no time in what
might be called preliminary spurring, but,
having definitely located the enemy's
vital spot, which is the free silver heresy,
he strikes at it with force and precision.
Tlie financial question, lie says, may not
be the paramount issue, but it is the im
mediate issue. “It will admit of no de
lay and will suffer no postponement.”
For has nut the Democratic party declar
ed for the “immediate" coinage of silver
ht a ratio of 1(5 to 1? Aud is there any
doubt that Mr. Bryan, who insisted upon
tlie insertion of the silver plank in the
platform, against the advice of the best
men in the party, will use every menus,
if be is elected, to curry his principles
into practice?
After paying the tribute of bis regret
that the Democratic party by its nominee
and its reiteration of the free silver plank
of 189(5 has made it necessary for the
voters to reaffirm their decision of four
years ago in favor of the existing gold
standard, President McKinley boldly
picks up the gage of battle on the issue
of imperialism. What that issue is he
states most happily in a single puragrnph
near the end of his letter. After he has
marshaled tlie facts which place Itie
whole controversy in the clearest possi
ble historical light before the reader, he
says:
The American question is be
tween duty and desertion—the
American verdict will lie for duty
and against desertion, for the Ite
publlc against both anarchy and
imperialism.
As a campaign document the letter is
regarded as phenomenally strong. Hut
it is more than a campaign document. It
is a contribution to history. The Presi
dent deals candidly with the American
people. He is not afraid to tell them
what he has done or why he did it. He
deHls in facts rather than in arguments.
TEXT OF THE LETTER.
President's Views on Free Silver and
the Philippine Question.
Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C.,
Sept. 8.—To the llou. Henry Cabot I.oitge,
chairman Notification Committee - My Hear
.Sir: The nomination of the Kcpttbllcan na
tlonal convection of June 19. lPOO, for the
office of President of the United States,
which, aa the official representative of the
convention, you huve conveyed to me, Is
accepted. I have carefully examined the
platform adopted and give It my hearty
approval.
Upon the great Issue of the last nations!
eleettou It Is clear, it upholds the gold
stnudard and Indorses the legislation of the
preseut Congress by which that standard
has been effectively strengthened. The sta
bility of our national currency Is, therefore,
secure so long as those who adhere to this
platform are kept In control of the govern
ment.
Hatue Issues Involved.
In the llrst battle, that of 181*1, the friends
of the gold standard and of sound currency
wire triumphant and the country Is enjoy
ing the fruits of that victory. Our anta*
oulsts, however, are uot satisfied. They com
pel us to a second battle upon the saute lines
on which tlie first was fought and won.
While regretting the reopeulug of thts
question, which cau ouly disturb the present
satisfactory financial condition of the g ,v
< rnincut and visit uncertainty upon our
great business enterprises, we accept the
Issue sod again Invite the sound tuotiry
force* to Join lit winning another and we
hope a permanent triumph for an honest
ituancial system which will continue invto
table the public faith.
All Loyal tn Hllter.
A» la IMM, the three direr (i.mle* are
united under the ana* leader, wb->, (mute
dlately after the election of that year, In an
addreaa tn the Mate!dilate, aatd
The frlentla nf tdui*!*I!l*m harp not been
eantyaldlPtlt they hate *ltt.|tly been oter
route They hellere that the go,.i atan-urd
I* a *t»n*|dr*ey of tly. tu aey ihtnger*
ngalaal ta* welfare of the hutttaa rare and
they will PwallAtia lh» warfare ag*ta*t It
The pulley l It a* prueiatfeed hat been a-'
i pitted aad outlriup l hy th< «e parti** The
allter llento* - all- platform »f »t»"i, ott . ie#
I he warfar* again*! the a tailed t 1 ><rh
aplrney wlt«a It eapretaiy <t|>
Wa ratlera'e tae 4»tittl of ta*| tike
i ptatfwrta of I* -a for aa t . ti
ftaaaetai ayatewt atad* hy tae A-per ie p. t
t ie for thattpaeifee, al l At m|
maiatala a Mwtaia i |* » * let* , 4 t
pan a# an* % ayatewt the lath,. I ate I «* .4
>i*a af I he (tee aad . .u,| . r
• d»a» aad g . d at th* y»- .. 1 #ti t to
I, without waning fay the * 4 * < . at
any nth** nation “
The farawtouttt lean*,
go the taaa* la p***»»t»d I * -» • »*d
• hat tha dentaad la far >hn la. • te» .«
, itwa a# tha fra* rtttaage *f «• at M 1.
I If aantha* tae•• *• pat* * it
oared la I* II al# adndt af .. 4* «y aad
a til win a* p-*#tpnaatw*at.
Turnlug to the other associated parties,
we And In the Populist national platform
adopted at Sioux Palls, S. D., May 10, 1000,
the following declaration:
"We pledge anew the People's party nev
er to cease the agitation until this Aunnelnl
conspiracy Is blotted from the statute book,
the Lincoln greenback restored, the bonds
all paid and all corporation money forever
retired. We reaffirm the demand for the re
opening of the mints of the United States
for the free and unlimited coinage of silver
and gold at the present legal ratio of 1*1 to
1, the Immediate Increase In the volume of
silver coins and certlOcates thus created to
be substituted, dollar for dollnr, for the
bank notes Issued by private corporations
under special privilege, granted by law of
March 1-i, 1000, and prior national banking
laws."
Ucclnre Their Hostility.
The platform of the silver party adopted
at Kansas City, July 6, liXtO, uniUes the fol
lowing announcement:
“We declare It to lie our intention to lend
our efforts to the repeal of this currency
law, which not only repudiates the ancient
and time-honored principles of the Ameri
can people before the Constitution was
adopted, but Is violative of the principle* of
the Constitution Itself: and we shall not
cease our effort* until there has been estab
lished In Its place n monetary system based
upon the free and unlimited coinage of silver
atid gold Into money ut the present legal
ratio of 10 to 1 by tbo Independent action of
the United States, under which system all
paper money shall be Issued by the govern
ment, and all such money coined or laaued
shall be a full legal tender In payment of
all debts, public and private, without escep
tlon."
Combine Against Gobi.
In all three platforms these parties nn
nounce that their efforts shall be unceasing
tintII the gold act shall be blotted from the
statute hooks and the free und unlimited
coinage of silver at Id to 1, shall take Its
place.
The relative Importance of the Issues I do
not stop to discuss. All of them are Im
portant. Whichever party Is successful Will
be bound In conscience to carry Into admin
Istratlun and legislation Its several declara
tions and doctrines. One declaration will be
us obligatory ns another, but all are not Im
mediate.
It Is not possible that these parties would
treat the doctrine of ltl to 1, the Immediate
realization of which Is demanded by their
several platforms, as void and Inoperative
In the event that they should be clothed
with power. Otherwise their profession of
faith Is Insincere. It Is therefore the Im
perative business of those opposed to this
llnunclnl heresy to prevent tile triumph of
the parties whose union Is only assured by
adherence to the sliver Issue.
1'aclnu Grave Peril.
Will the American people, through Indif
ference or fancied security, hazard the over
throw of the wise financial legislation of the
lust year and revive the danger of the silver
standard, with all of the Inevitable evils of
shattered confldenre aud general disaster
which Justly alarmed aud uruused them In
1896?
The Chicago platform of 1896 Is reaffirmed
In Its entirety by the Kansas City conven
tion. Nothing has been omitted or recalled;
so that All the perils then threatened are
presented anew with the added force of a
deliberate reaffirmation. Four years ago
the people refused to place the seal of their
approval upon these dungerous and revolu- ,
Honary policies, and this year they will not
fall to record again their earnest dissent.
Faithful to Pledges.
The Hepuhllcnn party remains faithful to
its principle of a tariff which supplies suf
ficient revenues for the government aud ade
quate protection to our enterprises and pro
ducers, and of reciprocity, which opens for
eign markets to the fruits of American labor
and furnishes new channels through which
to market the surplus of American fnnns.
The time-honored principles of protection
and reciprocity were the first pledges of Ke
publican victory to be written Into public
law.
The present Congress has given to Alaska
a territorial government for which It had
waited more than u quarter of a century;
has established a representative government
In Hawaii; has enacted hills for the most
liberal treatment of the pensioners and their
widows; has revived the free homestead
policy.
In Its great financial law It provided for
the establishment of banks of Issue with a
capital of lUo.uuo for the benefit of villages
ami rural communities, bringing the oppor
tunity for profitable business In haaklug
within the reach of moderate capital. Mntiy
are already uvullltig themselves of this priv
ilege.
Home Convincing Figures,
Imrlng the past year more than $19,000,000
of Culled Stales bonds have been paid from
the surplus revenues of the treasury, and In
addition $go <ssi,i>l,o of 'i per cents matured,
called by the government, are In process of
payment. I’acllle Itallmad bonds Issued by
the government In aid of the roads III the
sum of Marly $44,tasi,(MQ have been paid
since I lee. ; 1, |ss#7. The treasury balance Is
[ In satisfactory condition, showing on Sept
I $135,419,990. In addlllun to (he $1 VI.UUO.UMI
gold reserve In the treasury. The govern
tui-nt relations with the Pacific railroads
hate toon substantially closed, ll.'l llll.ua
to !ag received from these roads, the greater
part Iti cash and the remainder with ample
a* cum lea for payments deferred.
Instead of diminishing a* was predicted
four years ago, the v in ate of our current y
I. greater per capita Ibau II has ever been.
It was l.'l III In I sum ll had Increased tu
»-•' .'S' on July I. Iter*, and f.'U S3 Sept. I,
ttaai our total money on July 1. I»tm. was
tl ."-set ill sea. ,,u July |, I tarn It was $4.
mM3.4J5.4Ciu, and fs.otm AM <H$ on $ept. 1.
I MW.
I‘r«ai>*rtl« la (UmiiI.
n«r In lM'mi •■»•) i|rtr«HMil r**4itt»M*
it* imi>N |>t Ikaii th*| kltt k«*i f>t
ntaay j*aia at-ii.akly ««•■»* a* tkau lk*»
kit* 11*1 tw*a. I'im|*iM i *'. -uu4a naif
• k»t* lUf. i*’, , »t Ik* nydliMt, I nti 4a•
that Ik* it lk*ta h tat 11 •« Ik* S»ilk*»ii
»<*«## ar« aujujtam a fall that* »f tit*** la
Itfutinl Hll'ill *w»4UImm aa4 Ikal *11 ay*
itialtlkalla) au I4f|*l| t« «m i*tMtk*Ma
ti><i«*tMal 4*»*i-'k«a»itt
Tk* a*wi 1**4** i« *ltn l»*t* y aafla
' I t kt« • at'i'at Ika* If II a*** l«t*al*4 I*
I tflitt iMtalk*** tk* lat** »f l»>. t.ai at*
! t<*a«t ika* tk*» kat* *t*i !•*** la IkM
’III a fcti* tk* a* Iklafa akkk at* fMattf
I i Ik* Ilia »h4 la tk* awltkity aa4 Ik*
*kv* yi*4«> l«a f kata, kata a lia*. *4 ka
j taiaa.
ini Mtl^a lt«4* tk -a* a a'klt *•*»* 4*4
j I* <av*a k'waik tk* a a* <a«l »f »«» at
| ports for the year 1000 over those of the ex
| ('optionally prosperous year of 1800 was
about half u million dollars for every day
of the year, and these sums have gone Into
the homes and enterprises of tbe people.
Th^re has been an Increase of over $50,000,
ooo lu the exports of ugrleultural products,
$!>2,602,220 In manufactures and In the prod
ucts of the mines of over $10,000,000.
Wg Gains In Trade.
Our trade balances cannot fall to give aat
Isfnctlon to the people of the eountry. In
1808 we aold abroad $013,432,070 of products
more than we bought abroad, In 1800 $520,
874,813 nnd In 1000 $514,471,701, muklng dur
ing the three years a total balance In our
favor of $1,689,770,100—nearly five times tbe
balance of trade In our fnvor for tbe whole
period of 108 year* from 1700 to Juue 30,
1807 Inclusive.
Four hundred and thirty-six million dol
lars of gold have been added to the gold
stock of tbe l'nlled States since July 1, 1800.
The law of March 14, 1000, authorised the
refunding Into 2 per cent bonds of thnt part
of the public debt represented by the 3 per
cents due lu 1008, the 4 per cents due lu 1907
nnd the 5 per centa due lu 1004, aggregating
$840,000,000. More than one-third of the
sum of these bonds wns refunded In the first
three months after tbe passage of the act,
and on Kept. 1 the sum had been Increased
more than $83,000,000, making In all $330,
578,060, resulting In a net Kuvlng of over $8,
870,520.
Government Having Money.
The ordinary receipts of the government
for the fiscal year 1000 were $70,527,(810 In
excens of Its expenditures.
While our receipt* both from customs and
Internal revenue have been greatly Incrcas
cd. our expenditures have been decreasing.
Civil aud miscellaneous expenses for the fis
cal ycur eudlug June 30, 1900, were nearly
$14,000,000 lens than In 1809. while ou the
war account there Is a decrease of more
ocean transportation we pay annually to for
eign ship owners over $105,1100,000. 'Ve
ought to own the ships for our carrying
trade with the world, and we ought to build
them in American shipyards and man them
with American sailors. Our own citizens
should receive the transportation charges
now paid to foreigners.
I have called the attention of Congress to
this subject In my several annual messages.
In that of Dec. G, 1897, I said:
'•Most desirable from every standpoint of
national Interest and patriotism Is the effort
to extend our foreign commerce. To this
end our merchant marine should be Improved
and enlarged. We should do our full share
of the carrying trade of tin* world. We do
not do It now. We should be the laggard uo
longer."
In my message of Dec. 5, 1890, I said:
"Our national development will be one-sided
und unsatisfactory so long ns the remark
able growth of our Inland Industries remains
unaccompanied by progress on the sens.
There la no lack of constitutional authority
for legislation which shall give to the coun
try maritime strength commensurate with
Its Industrial achievements anil with Its
rank among the nations of the earth.
"The past yenr has recorded exceptional
activity In our shipyards, and the promises
of coiitlunul prosperity lit shipbuilding are
abundant. Advanced legislation for the pro
tection of otir seamen hits been enacted. Our
coast trade, under regulations wisely framed
at the beginning of the government and
since, shows Its results for the past fiscal
year unequaled In our records or those of
any other power.
Need of the Canal.
"We shall full to realize our opportuni
ties however, If we complacently regard
only matters ut home and blind ourselves to
the necessity of securing our share In the
valuable carrying trade of the world.
"I now reiterate these views.
PRESIDENT M’KINLEY.
than $95,000,000. There was required $#,
000,000 less to support the navy this year
than last, and the expenditures on account
of Indluus were nearly two and three-quar
ter* million dollurt less than In 1309.
The only two Items of Increase In the pub
lie expenses of 1000 over are for pen
slons and Interest on the public debt. Far
1399 we expended for pensions $130.394,929,
and for the fiscal year 1900 our payments ou
this account amounted to $140,377,310. The
net Increase of Interest on the public debt
of 1900 over 1309 required by the war loan
was $203,403.25.
lionde SpeedI ly Taken.
While Congress authorized the govern
ment to make a war loan of WoO.OOO.OtK) at
the beglunllig of the war with hpniu. only
I.'UO.OOO.UJO of bonds wa* Issued, bearing 3
per rent lutereat, which were promptly ami
patriotically taken by our citizen*.
I'nleKa soniethlng unforeaeeu occurs to r*
iluee our revenue* or Increase our cxpetidl
lure*, the t'uugreaa at It* nest session should
reduce tuxntluii very materially.
fifty year* ago we were selling govern
ment bond* bearing a* high a* 5 per cent lu
tereat Now we are redeeming them with a
bond at par bearing d per eeut Interest We
nre selling our surplus products and lending
our surplus money to Europe.
Europe Is Our l>«litnr.
tine result nf our wiling to oilier nations
so mm h more than w< have bought from
them dtirlug the past three years I* a radios!
Improvement of our financial rrlntlou*. ’t he
great amounts of -spltsl xvhh'h have been
borrowed of Europ*. f, r our rapid, mat -rial
development have remained a eoa*taul drain
upon our reaourres fur lutereat and dtvt
dead* and made our money market* Its Id*
to c ostani dlsturhsiteet by mil* for pay
Meat or heavy sate* ol our *eeiirtttes wbeu
ever money Stringency •>* panic uaeurred
• broad We bsve now law* paying ike*#
debts and bringing bum* many of our *»
eurllle* and establishing e-Hialervalilag
credits abroad by our loans sod placing at
selves upon S sure foundation of Pnanutal
iadepattde oca
la Iha nnfortunate eunlesl beiuewa Ui*»l
Itrltata and Ik# Mas# slates of i"»it ttib*
Ike t oiled States ksv mslnlslned sa slit
lads wf asntralUy ta neeu#4aa»» nlth Ms
net! known Itadllloaal poll* * It did no!
ke*lt*l*. hoUeVSf, when lwj*e*le| bf Iha
governments of the n.>*tb hfvt v* repoo tea,
' in psavetne II* good edbea for a visobv of
ho*'tilt tea
l>M What Wa XowM.
It Is to hs *««ael»e*t Ibsl wh»bi lh* kt*t|
Mil- an ivp- • n»».l* tvs# m|*vit >*f esM
pnwertk tbs I oiled State* I* tS* eStf •**
wkbS root pi led Tbs IxMtvb « urv uval
d*c -!*ed to secepl l*» IttlllIVVIb* of *ef
pot* *1 -
vtta*iy oaa P*r »•»' *• • • »l • '» *nd >‘w
putt* are s*w vainest by '.»• # • ships fvt
"A subject of Immeitlati- Importance to
ottr country la the completion of a great
waterway of commerce between the Atlantic
and Pacific. The construction of a marl
time canal Is now more than ever Indispen
sable to that Intimate and ready communi
cation between our eastern and western sea
ports, demanded by the annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands and tile expansion of our
Influence nuil trade In the Pari Ac.
“Our national policy more Imperatively
than ever calls for Its completion and con
trol by this govern me r. and It is believed
that the next session of Congress, after re
ertving the full report of the commission ap
pointed under the act approved March d,
istft), will make provisions for the sure ac
complishment of this great work.
Would Kestrlct Trust*.
t'ouiblnatious of capital which control the
market In commodities necessary to the g> n
era! Use of the people by suppressing USI
ural and ordinary compel It Ion, thus cn
bnnclng prices to the goners! consumer, are
ohuoStilus to the ronimou law and the public
welfare They are dangerous . iiisplracies
against the public good, and should be made
tbe subject of prohibitory or penal legists
tlotl
Publicity will be a helpful Influence to
check ihta evil. Cnlf >rmity of legislation In
tbe different Stales should be scored Ills
crimination between what la Injurious and
what I* useful uud necessary in business
operations Is essential to tbe wise and effect
Ive treatment of thla subject
llonest co operation of < upttal is necessary
to meet new business conditions and egtrud
our rapidly Increasing foreign trade, but
conspiracies and c.on •lnaib>ns intended tu
restrict business, create monopolies tad con
trol pfl -es should be effectively restrained
Haal Pvltn la •*! l.*lh.c,
Tkf Ml nni** «bhk • »» U« r»ml»**.«| in
ladnv la In aluM ll aa •|i|nil»tll| fat
•util aa4 rvaiaavtalit* la^vriMvi *aj
*lv» H v«Wf <*»>4i4*"i»m for t l«4n «
Bt«nt Tb» p H, t Ib4' • ««. » tfcl* m l la
Ilka l|M A*•'!.** Yd* |*44l Ihvaa
*.af* d44* l***a amt* *|llila* !••»» la ka*i|
rdd dii-tfw* <4 i .an «4 4f #.», **.|la« 1*4*4
Aay fd«»4*> it id* **• id*i*tiiiat »#
iMlriai v«*it* v »f td« f»«ttaa«4i a-nM da
J!44«I*m*c la llwlt U.gn* ** l«i.*, * 4
dud vf *4|.**ii| ai 4 • •«.» 4**i aa i* **44
l»a fi.nlfa **».l ft * \•«*»»*. »a ff lw ia
• a#*. .* a*ti 4*nwaliaa* •■* aiil ■.(•■■a
i«m, at ) and Ida fi*a il • I 414414*4
Ida VtMklokMt I* 44* a*«t| 4*41441 *418*41
fov dia udii ha a •1*1***1414 *h*h**i I'-.*
141.0* a »k»*l *a* 14 dn( *’ idaa 4 *v**i a
ta* >*n* • tit 04!.■ -a aa **4**t*t id •* . *
f | 4444* Id* 14 a 4 *4* of «••■ Id# 44. att*
1 **4#tl* > .<4l44t4*> 4| *4-1 t»4»|f. »4.4t« Id*
|«*iaav r**--’*» a«4 4441
>V44kl fa* u»»l d 4444.
| Taa n 44* 4 mt tadu* 44 -+ 4 h* |.|n|Hi* 1*
J M«f la* a***# la i*l.*< *4. 4'.* la* »%*»
dren, and, with thrift aud economy, lay
something by for the days of Infirmity and
old age.
l’ractlcal civil service reform lias always
had the support and encouragement of the
Itepuhllcan party. The future of the merit
system Is safe In Its hands.
During the present administration as oc
casions have arisen for modification or
amendment In the existing civil service law
and rules, they have been made. Important
amendments were promulgated by executive
order under date of May 20, 1MM), having for
their principal purpose the exception from
competitive examination of certain places in
volvlng fiduciary responsibilities or duties
of a strictly confidential, scientific or cxeeu
live character, which It was thought might
better be filled by noncompetitive exnmlnn
tlon or by other tests of fitness In the dis
cretion of the appointing officer.
Value of Merit Hystem,
It Is gratifying that the experience of more
thou a year has vindicated these changes In
the marked Improvement of the public ser
vice.
The merit system, ns far ns practicable,
Is made the basis for appointments to of
fice In our new territory.
The American people are profoundly grate
ful to the soldiers, sailors and marines who
have In every time of conflict fought tllclr
country's battles and defended Its honor.
The survivors und the widows and orphans
of those who have fallen are Justly entitled
to receive the generous und considerate cure
of the natlou.
Few are now left of those who fought In
the Mexican war, and while many of the
veterans of the Civil War are still spared to
us their numbers are rapidly diminishing
and age and Infirmity are Increasing their de
pendence. These, with the soldiers of the
Hpntilsh war, will not be neglected by their
grateful countrymen!. The pension laws
have been liberal. They should be Justly
administered, and will be. Preference
should be given to the soldiers, sailors anil
marines, their widows and orphans, with
respect to employment 111 the public ser
vice.
Kept l'nitli with Cuba.
We have been In possession of Cuba since
the first of January, 1MW. We have re
stored order and established domestic tran
quillity. We have fed the starving, clothed
the nuked, and ministered to tbe sick. We
have Improved the sanitary condition of the
Island. We have stimulated Industry, In
traduced public education, and taken a fall
and comprehensive enumeration of the in
habitants.
The qualification of electors has been set
tled mid under It officers have been chosen
for nil the municipalities of Cuba. These
local governments nre now In operation, ad
ministered by tbe people. Our military es
tabllshuient bn* been reduced from -t.'I.UOO
to less than 0,000.
An election hn* been ordered to be held on
the loth of September under a fair election
law already tried In the municipal elections,
to choose members of a constitutional con
vention, and the convention, by the sutne
order. Js to assemble on tbe first Monday of
November to frame a constitution upon
which an Independent government for the
Island will rest. Alt this Is a long step lu
the fulfillment of our sacred guarantees to
tbe people of Cuba.
l’lnns for I’orto Kico.
Wo hold Porto Itleo by the same title as
the Philippines. The treaty of peace which
ceded n* the one conveyed to us the other.
Congress bar given to this Island a govern
ment In which the Inhabitants participate,
elect their own legislature, enact their own
local laws, provide their own system of tus
utlou, an.l In these respect* have the same
power and privilege* enjoyed by other terrl
torles belonging to tin- United Htatcs and a
mm-h larger measure of self-government
than was given to the Inhabitant* of Louisi
ana under Jefferson. A district court of tbe
United States for Porto Bleo lias been extab
llshed aud local courts have been Inaugur
ated, all of which are In operation.
The generous treatment of the Porto
Ulcans accord* with the most liberal thought
-if our own country and encourages the best
aspirations of tile people of tbe IslRiid.
While they do not have Instant free com
mercial Intercourse with the I nlted States,
Congress complied with my recommendation
by removing, on the 1st day of May last,
Sb per cent of the duties and providing for
the removal of the remaining 13 per cent
on the 1st of Mar a. P.MS, tr earlier If Ihe
legishiurt of P.»rto HIl-o -hall provide local
revenues for the expenses of conducting the
government.
Islun I Is I'rnlitrii.
■ Hiring till* Igterninlliili1 period I'orto
Jtlcan products <‘i tnlng Into tin- lulled
States pay a tariff of Hi per cent of tbe rate*
under the lMnglry net nud our goods going
to I'orto Itleo pay u like ri'te. The duties
thus paid nud collected both In I'orto Itleo
nud the l ulled States are pnld to tlie gov
eminent of I'ort i Itleo and ii > part thereof
I* taken ti) the national government.
.kit of ttie duties from Nov. I, l*ns, |o June
.'III, VMM, aggregating the mini of
f,g:t ■!, paid at the ettstoin houses In the
t utted States upon I'orto Itleuii products,
under the laws cvlstlug prior to the above
mentioned act of Congress, have gone Into
the treasury of I'orto Itleo to relieve the
destitute and for sehmds unit other public
purpose* In addlMon this, we have eg
pended for relief, educating and Improve
Rient of fond* tbe sum »f |l,iM3,llMIB.
Military Corea Cut Ihiwrtt,
Tbe 1 lilted Stale* military force lu tbe
Island* bus been |i-du* ed from II.UtMl to
I .Vat, *ud native l*urt>< M ean* constitute for
tbe most part ibe bo at < onatahulary
I n.ter tbe nest law ami tbe Inauguration
of elvtl government there baa been a gratl
fylng r> vital «• • •>•> '1 be mshufa lure*
of |*»r*o Itleo ate developing ber Imports
are tarreaslug, ber t»d* la yteldtug In
• reaaed returns, ber gelds are being mill
vgted free a» h o is are being established
Notwithstanding Ibe many embarrassm.me
iU«bl* i*l to a change of hgMohel coo.lti lows,
she la rapidly showing Ibe good **•»is of
her aew reiaibos is ikts na<b>n
j Cut the sab* of full amt Intelligent Under
steadied of the Philippine «p***tlue and h
give to the p» »pt» *u>h*utb- Inlro si ton of
the seta gad alma of the »*t*t«l»t»*tVh, |
ynwat at nm ieagth ihe a <anla of imgwr
thm a leadtag ap tw MM ptvsent *♦■»*»(•«•
lb* ysrpsavs of the ttestltt are best re
• csW-t and van beat be |s lg**'l by s hat be
baa dona trl Is doing
ton Hits toe pssvs.
It sM he e*e«l Utgi the P*a*l of the go*
( • #<!#»• *1 fcifb'* ^tf I to ill*
| in4 i|< ^ I
I ^ lfc«l 4*** ht**fc*#*4
I i •I,b ^ Ml • * 4
| *fl tM mimitot «| ii«4%
On the 25th day of April, 1898, Congre**
declared that a atate of war eilated between
Spain and the United State*. On May 1,
1st is. Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish
licet In Manila Hay. On May 10, 1898, MaJ.
den. Merritt, U. 8. A., wai placed In com
mand of the military eipedltlon to Manila
nnd directed among other thing* to Immedl
ately “publlih a proclamation declaring that
we come not to make war upon the people
of the Philippine* nor upon any part or fac
tion among them, but to protect them In
their home*, In their employment*, and In
their pennons! aud religion* right*. All per
son* who, either by active aid or by honest
aubmlMslon, co-operate with the United
State* In It* effort* to give effect to this
beneficent purpose will receive iho reward
of It* support and protection.”
Home Fortune* of War.
On July .1, IN!>S, the Spanish fleet In at
tempting to escape from Santiago harbor
wii* destroyed by the American fleet, and on
July 17, 1N9S, the Spnnlali garrison In tho
city of Huntlugo surrendered to the com
mander of tin* American force*.
Following these brilliant victories, on the
12th day of August, 18118, upon the Initiative
of Spain, hostilities were Huspcndcd, and a.
protocol was signed with a view to arrang
ing term* of peace between the two govern
ment*. In pur*uauee thereof I appointed hm
commissioner* the following distinguished
citizens to conduct the negotiation* on the
[art of the United States: Hon. Wllllutu 11.
Day of Ohio, Hon. William I*. Frye of
Minnesota, Hon, deorge dray of Delaware
aud lion. Wliltcluw Held of New York.
Forced Into Conflict,
In addressing the pence commission before
It* departure for I'ails, i *abl;
"It I* my wish that throughout the nego
tiation* Intrusted to the commission the pur
pose* and iiplrlt with which the United State*
accepted the unwelcome necessity of war
should l»e kept rou*taiitly In view. We
took up nrm* only In obedience to the die
lute* of humanity and the fulfillment of high
public and moral obligations. We hud no
design of aggrandizement and no ambition
of conquest.
"Through the long course of repeated rep
resentation* which preceded and aimed to
avert the struggle and In the llnal arbitra
ment of force this country was Impelled sole
ly by the purpose of relieving grievous
wrongs and removing tong existing condi
tions which disturbed Its tranquillity, which1
shocked the moral sense of tusuktud uud
which could no longer he endured.
High Sense of iHltjr.
“It I* my earnest wish that the United
State* Id making peace should follow the
same high rule of conduct which guided It
In facing war. It should be a* scrupulous,
and magnanimous In the concluding settle
ment us It was just and humane In Its orig
inal action. • • • Our aim In the adjust
ment of peace should he directed to lasting
results and to the achievement of the com
mon good under the demand* of clvlllxaticu
rather than to ambitious designs. • • •
"Without any original thought of complete
or even partial acquisition, the presence and
success of our arms at Manila Impose upou
us obligation* which we cannot disregard.
The march of event* rale* and overrule*
human action. Avowing unreservedly the
purpose which has animated all our effort*,,
and still solicit oils to adhere to It, we can
not be unmindful that without any desire
or dr*lgn on our part the war has brought!
us new duties and responsibilities which we
must meet and discharge as becomes u great*
nation on wuose growth and career, from
tile beginning, the Killer of Nation* ha*
plainly written the high command and
pledge- of civilization."
Shirked No Wespnnsilrility.
On Oct. -S, 1890, while the peace commla
slon w.is con;lulling Its negotiation* In Puri*,
the following uUiiilloiial Instruction was
seut:
"It Is Imperative upon u* that n* vletoin
we should be governed only by motive*
which will exult our uatlju. Territorial ex
pansion should he our least concern; that
we shull not shirk the moral obligation* of
our victory is of the greatest.
“It Is undisputed that Spain's authority I*
permanently destroyed In every part of the
Philippine*. To leave uuy pan In her feeble
control now would Increase our dllhculties
uud be opposed to the luterest* of lrumuu
Ity. • • • Nor cau we permit Spain to
transfer nny of the isiauds to another
power. Nor cau we Invite another power
or powers to Join the I lilted States !u sov
ereignly i ver them. We must either hold
them or turn them buck to Spalu.
Only Oue Honorable Course.
"t‘ou*ei|ueully. grave us are the responsi
bilities uud unforeseen us are the dlUieul
ties which are before us. the President cau
see but one plain path of duty, the accept
ance of the urehlpeiug i. Ureuler dittleultles
uud more serious complications administra
tive and luici national -would follow uuy
other course.
“The President lias given to the views of
the commissioners the fullest eoustderattou,
uud In reaching the conclusion above an
nounced, In the light of Information rum
uiunbat-d to the commission end to the
President since your departure, he has bee*
ilitturli' ill by the single consideration of
duty and bumsulty. The President It uut
uuudndful of the distressed Unauclal coinll
Uou of Mpalu. aud whatever eoastderatln*
the lulled hr ales may show must coma
from Its sense of generosity uud betaevol-a
ciicv father than from any real or technical
obligation."
limit! Nut Abandon Them.
Again, on No*. 13, I Instructed the com
mission
"f ront the standpoint of Indemnity, both
Ibe archipelagoes tPorto Itirs and the Phii
tpptnvsi are InsudUdeM iu pay eur war eg.
ponses, hot aside from Ibis, do we M wee
gn vbiigeihtn le (be people ef tba Philip
pines which wilt hot permit ue to return
them tn the sovereignty vf Spain? t'oeid tee
Justify wurseives In so it a t worse, nr veuid
na permit their Softer to onus uhet puaef I
VAtidugiy of eat. we bate the reeponsl
tddty of duty whb b we vguitet se* ape.
*** Tb« l‘resident rear. 4 Ue lie • e any
diststn* *3 ibe ••vbrpetag a can hr lag os say
ibiag Ml em oimsgosi is tba #»te*» fbe
iftnie and vommetvtgi side, ae welt ss ibe
indemnity fa tbe swat «4 tba etr, a*e * *< •
IS-a* we might yieM Vbey might be wet*-d
af eo.uprwo.tse4. bet the fsetitsgl d duty
sad bumauuy tyysgi is the President si
I ati sg'i 'bar be > «n bad no apfMopetni* an
snef hut lbe one be bn# bare marbad end.'4
Tetsne wf Use Vrenits
fbe lsee>y *# peg e ess e-cw-doded on Is* ,
PA inn hi « • term* the «.. g,,.. 4g>N
bnone ** ibe l*b ■ pp.se isgado, was *ed«4
Up »##•*» In lbs A afted at *iss- It wag goes
presided »*g* MM visit . ga.s and po cMvap
