NOMINATION OFT
status of tbe native Inhabitants of the terri
tories hereby ceded to the United States
hall be determined by the Congress."
Eleven days thereafter, on Dee. 21, tbe fol
lowing direction was given to the command
er of onr forces In the Philippines:
"The military commander of the United
tates la 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 tbe
inhabitants and In establishing a new polit
ical power, the antbority of the United
States 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 the duty of tbe commander of the forces
of occupation to announce and proclaim In
the most public manner that we come not
s Invaders or conquerors, but as friends, to
protect the natives In their homes. In their
employments and In their personal and re
ligions rights."
Sent a Commission.
la 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 the Inhabitants. I appointed In
January, 1801), a commission consisting of
Jacob Gould Schurman of New York. Ad
miral George Dewey, G. S. N.: Charles
Denby of Indiana, Professor Dean C. Wor
cester of Michigan, and Major General El
wsll B. Otis, U. S. A. Their Instructions
contained the following:
"In the performance of this duty the com
missioners are enjoined to meet at the
tirllest possible day In the city of Manila,
and to announce by public proclamation
their presence and the mission Intrusted to
them, 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,
nnd to provide for the safety of persons and
of property by such means as may be found
conducive to these ends.
Given Carefnl instructions.
"The commissioners will endeavor, with
out Interference with the military authori
ties of tbe 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 be
practicable, and for this purpose they will
study attentively the existing soda! and po
Utlcai 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, nnd the need of
public Improvements. They will report
the results of their observations and
reflections, and will recommend such execu
tive action as may from time to time seem
to them wise and useful.
"The commissioners are hereby authorized
to confer authoritatively with any persons
resident In the islands from whom they may
believe themselves able to derive informa
tion or suggestions valuable for the pur
poses of 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 tbe population, emphasizing
npon all occasions tbe just and beneficent In
tentions of tbe government of tbe United
States.
"It la also my wish and expectation that
the commissioners may be received In a
manner one to the 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 n liberating rather than a con
c,nerieg nation."
On the 6th of February. 1S90, 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 tbe United States and Spain on the 11th
f April, 1880.
As early as April, 1S00, the Philippine
commission, of which Dr. Schurman was
president, endeavored to bring about peace
In tbe Islands by repeated conferences with
leading Tsgalogs representing the so-called
Insusgent government, to tbe end that some
general plan of government might be offered
them which tbey would accept.
Pleased the Natives.
Bo 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 mc for approval, and my
action thereon is shown by the cable mes
sage following:
"May 5, 1800. Schurman, Manila: Yours
4th received. You are authorized to propose
that, under the military power of the Presi
dent, pending action of Congress, govern
ment of the Philippine Islands shall consist
of a governor general appointed by the
.President, cabinet appointed by the govern
or general, a general advisory council elect
ed by the people, the qualifications of elect
ors to be carefully considered and deter
mined, and the governor general to hare ab
solute veto. Judiciary strong and Inde
pendent, principal judges appointed by the
President. Tbe cabinet and judges to be
chosen from natives or Americans, or both,
having regard to fitness.
"Tbe President earnestly desires the cessa
tion of bloodshed and that the people of tbe
Philippine Islands at an early date shall
have the largest measure of local self-government
consistent with peace and good
order.
Signs of Treachery.
In tbe latter part of May another group
Of representatives came from the Insurgent
leader. The whole matter was fully dis
cussed with them and promise of acceptance
seemed near at band. They assured our
commissioners they wonld return after con
sulting with their leader, but they never did.
As a result of the views expressed by the
trst'Tagalog representative favorable to tbe
plan of tbe commission. It appears that he
Was, by military order of tbe Insurgent
leader, stripped of his shoulder straps, dis
missed from tbe army and sentenced to
twelve years' Imprisonment.
Tbe views of the commission are best set
forth la their own words:
"Deplorable as war Is. the one in which
we ST 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 the sur
render of Manila to the Insnrgents. Our ob
ligations to other nations and to the friendly
Filipinos and to ourselves and our flag de
manded that force should be met with force.
Whatever the future of the Philippines may
be. there is no course open to us now except
the prosecution of the war until the Insur
gents are reduced to submission.
"The commission is of the opinion that
there has been no time since tbe 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 the archipelago the commission re
ported, among other things:
"Their lack of education and political ex
perience, combined with their racial and
linguistic diversities, disqualify them. In
spite of their mental gifts and domestic vir
tues, 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 coDtro! or guidance fas 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 them. 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 poiht of view
escape the responsibilities of government
which our sovereignty entails, and the coin
mission is strongly persuaded that the per
formance of our national duty will prove
the greatest biesstac to the people of the
Philippine Islands."
Satisfied that nothing further could be ac
eoniplished in pursuance of their mission
until the rebellion was suppressed, and de
siring to. place before the Congress the re
sult of their observations, l requested the
commission to return to the United States.
Their most Intelligent and comprehensive
report, was submitted to Congress.
Duties of the Commission.
In March. 1000, believing that the Insur
rectiou was practically ended and earnestly
desiring to promote the establishment of a
stable government in the archipelago, 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. lde of Vermont, and
Bernard Moses of California. My Instruc
tions to them contained the following:
"You (the Secretary of War) will Instruct
the commission to devote their at
tention In the first Instance to the establish
ment of municipal governments. In which
the natives of the islands, both In the 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 the 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 Id the isl
ands Is such that the central administration
may safely be transferred from military to
civil control they will report that conclu
sion to you tthe Secretary of War), with
their personal recommendations as to the
form of central government to he estab
lished Tor the purpose of taking over the
control.
"liegi unlug with the 1st day of Septem
ber, lyuo, the authority to exercise, subject
to my approval through the Secretary of
War, that part of the power of government
In the Philippine Islands which is of a leg
islative nature is to be transferred frcm the
military governor of the Islands to this com
mission, to be thereafter exercised by them
in the place and stead of the military gov
ernor, under such rules and regulations as
you (tne secretary or war) shall prescribe,
until the establishment of the civil central
government for tbe islands contemplated in
tbe last foregoing paragraph or until Con
gress shall otherwise provide.
Legislative Author ty.
"Exercise of this legislative authority will
include the making of rules and orders hav
ing tbe effect of law for the raising of reve
nue by taxes, customs duties and Imposts;
tbe appropriation and expenditure of the
public funds of the islands: the establish
ment of an educational system throughout
the Islands: the establishment of a system
to secure an efficient civil service; the or
ganization and establishment of courts; the
organization aud establishment of municipal
and departmental governments, nnd all
other matters of a civil nature of which the
military governor is now competent to pro
vide by rirles or orders of a legislative char
acter. The commission will also have
power durlug the same period to appoint to
office such iiflicers uuder the judicial, edu
cational and civil service systems aud in the
municipal and departmental governments as
shall be provided."
Rules for tbe Interim.
Until Congress sriall take action I directed
that:
'Upon every division and branch of the
government of the Philippines must be Im
posed these Inviolable rules: That do 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
le Informed of tbe nature and cause of the
accusation, to be confronted with the wit
nesses against him, to have compulsory
process for obtaluiug wttuesses lu his favor,
uud to have the assistance of counsel for his
defense; that excessive ball shall not be re
quired, nor excessive fines Imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishment Inflicted; that no
person shall be put twice in jeopardy for the
same offense, or be compelled In any crimi
nal case to be o witness against himself;
that the right to be secure against unreason
able searchers and seizures shall not be vio
lated; that neither slavery nor Involuntary
servitude shall exist except ns a punishment
for crime: that no bill of attainder or ex post
facto law shall be passed; that no law shall
be passed abridging the freedom of speech or
of the press, or the rights of the people to
peaceably assemble and petition the govern
ment for a redress of grievances; that no
law shrill be made respecting the establish
ment of religion or prohibiting the free ex
ercise thereof, ond that the free exercise
and enjoyment of religious profession and
worship without discrimination or prefer
ence shall forever be allowed.
Extending Kdtication.
"It will be the duty of the commission to
promote and extend, and. as they find occa
sion, to improve, tbe system of education
already Inaugurated by the military authori
ties. In doing this they should regard as of
first Importance the extension of a system
of primary education which shall be free to
all. aud which shall tend to fit the people
for the duties of citizenship, and for the 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 English language.
"Upon all officers and emploves of tbe
United States, both civil and military,
should be impressed a sense of the duty to
observe not merely the material but the per
sonal and social rights of the people of the
Islands, and to treat them with the same
courtesy and respect for their personal dig
nity which the people of the United States
are accustomed to require from each other.
All Pledges Kept.
"The articles of capitulation of the City of
Manila on the 13th of August, 1S98. con
cluded with these words: 'This city. Its In
habitants, its churches, and religious wor
ship. Its educational establishments and Its
private property of all descriptions, are
placed under the special safeguard of the
faltb and honor of the American army.'
"I believe that this pledge has ben faith
fully kept. As high and sacred an obligation
rests upon tbe government of the United
States to give protection for property and
life, civil and religious freedom, and wise,
firm and unselfish guidance In the paths of
peace and prosperity to all the people of the
Philippine Islands.' I charge this commis
sion to labor for the full performance of this
obligation, which concerns the honor and
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 the sovereignty and
the protection of the people of the i'uited
States."
Amnesty Proclaimed.
That ail might share lu the regeneration
of the 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. 1000. By direction
of the President of the United Stales the
undersigned announces amnesty, with com
plete Immunity for the past and absolute
liberty of action for the futnre. to all per
sons who are now, or at any time since
Feb. 4, 1800, have been In insurrection
against the United States In either a mili
tary or civil capacity, and who shall, within
a period of ninety days from the date there
of, formally renounce all connection with
such Insurrection and subscribe to a dec-
Striking Phrases from President McKinley's Letter.
It will be noted that the (Democratic) demand Is for the Immediate restora
i of the free coinage of silver at 10 To 1. If another issue is paramount, tuis
tlon
is immediate
t wiil admit of uo delay
We accept the issue and again invite tbe sound money forces to join in win
ning another and we hope a permanent triumph for an honest financial system
which will continue inviolable tbe public faith.
It is our purpose to establish In the Philippines a government suitable to the
wants and conditions of the inhabitants, and to prepare thein for self-government,
aud to give them self-government when they are ready for it, and as
rapidly as they are readv 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 acquired.
Every effort has. been directed to their (Filipinos) peace and prosperity, their
advancement and well-being, not for cur aggrandizement or for pride of mignt,
not for trade or common e, not for exploitation, but for humanity aud civilization.
The American question Is between duty and desertion. The American verdict
will be for duty and 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 aud combina
tions intended to restrict business, create monopolies and control prices should
be effectively restrained.
For labor a short dav Is better than a short dollar.
Unless something unforeseen occurs to reduce onr revenues or increase onr ex
penditures, the Cougress at its next session should reduce taxation very ma
terially. We ought to own the ships for onr carrying trade with the world, and we
ought to build them In American shipyards and man them with American sailors.
5 !ocrxoXN3oocxx
laratlon acknowleding and accepting the
sovereignty and authority of the cnlied
States iu 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 uctive hostilities are not embraced
within the scope of this amnesty.
Pay ufferctl tor Rifles.
"in order lo mltigrate as mncb as possible
consequences resulting from the various dis
turbances which siuce lBlS 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 will
pay 80 pesos to each uiuu who presents a
tide in good condition."
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 the most faithful in
telligence and patriotic service, are now
laboring to establish stable government tin
der civil control, iu which the inhabitants
shall participate, giving them opportunity
to demonstrate how far they are prepared
for self-government.
Quotes the Commission.
This commission, under date of Aug. 21,
1900, makes an interesting report, from
which I quote the following extracts:
"Hostility against Americans was orig
inally aroused by absurd falsehoods of uu
scrupulous leaders. The distribution of
troops in 300 posts baa by contact largely
dispelled hostility, and steadily improved
temper of people. This Improvement is fur
i beted by abuses of insurgents. Large num
bers of people long for peace and are willing
to accept government uuder the United
States.
"Insurgents not surrendering after defeat
divided into small guerrilla bauds under gen
eral officers or became robbers. Nearly all
of the prominent generals and politicians of
the Insurrectiou, except Aguiualdo, have
since been captured or have surrendered and
taken the oath of allegiance.
"All northern Luzon, except two provinces,
substantially free from insurgents. People
busy plautiug, and- asking for municipal or
ganization. Hallway and telegraph lines
from Manila to Dagupan. 122 miles, not mo
lested for five months.
Plan Native Militia.
"Tagalogs alone active in leading guerrilla
warfare. In Negros. Cebu, Komblou, Mas
bate. Sibuyan. Tablas, Bohol and other Phil
ippine Islands little disturbance exists, aud
..ii-ll vm-ornmciiit oe. (,nit e nwnitH
Four year,s or war anu lawlessness In
parts of
if Islands have created unsettled con-
ditlons. Native constabulary and
militia, which should be organized at once,
will end this and the terrorism to which de
fenseless people are subjected. The natives
desire to enlist iu these organizations. If
judiciously selected and otbeerod. 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 will blight fair prospects of
enormous improvement, drive ont capital
make life and property secular and relig- j
lous most Insecure; banish by fear of cruel '
proscription considerable body of conserva- !
t.ve Filipinos who have aided Americans in
well-founded belief that their people ar?
not now fit for self-government, and relntro
duce same oppression and corruption which
existed In all provinces under Malolos In
surgent government during the eight months
of Its control. The result will be factional
strife between jealous leaders, chaos and
anarchy, and will require and justify active
intervention of onr government or some
other.
Trade Follows Peace.
"Bnslness interrupted by war mncb Im
proved as peace extends. In Negros
more sugar In caltivatloa 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 50 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 $6,
000,000, which should be expended in much
needed public works, notably improvement
of Manila harbor. With proper tar
iff and faculties Manila will become great
port of Orient."
The commission is confident that "by a
judicious customs law, reasonable laud tax
and proper corporation franchise tax. Im
position of no greater rate than that In the
average American State will give less an
noyance and with peace will produce reve
nues sufficient to pay expenses of efficient
government, Including militia and constabu
lary. "
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 and 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, n mile
high, with strictly temperate climate.
Uailroad 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,
sr-hoof supplies and English teachers, greater
than the commission can provide until a
comprehensive school system Is organized.
Night schools for teaching English 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 lu a few
vears the medium of communication iu 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 iu 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 my countrymen what has
been and Is being done to bring the benefits
of libertv and good government to these
wards of' the nation. Every effort has been
and will suffer no postponement.
a;, ft,.!- .-J .. ij.Mretrj nnd the Congress which added Its
'X..'' "' V i ,i '"""l",'". ineir
grandizemeut nor for pride of might, not for
....... ...... u.v u. ,,u , ,-11-171-1 OJj,. lllll lot our a
traoe or commerce, not for exploitation, but
for humanity and civilization, and for the
protection of the vast majority of the popu
lation who welcome onr sovereignty against
the designing minority whose first" demand
after the surrender, of Manila by the Span
ish army was to enter the city that thev
nigni loot it anu Destroy those not in sym
vsivj tvnii meir semsn
signs.
ana treacherous de-
Civil Service to Rnle,
Nobody who will avail himself of the facts
will longer hold that there was anv alliance
between our soldiers and the Insurgents or
that any promise of independence was made
to them. Long before their leader had
reached Manila they bad resolved. If tbe
comtnauner or tue American navy would
EV..i .C ' " ", . " IO ngut ,De"
hlch to fight the)
d later turn upon
ouslv and w-ithont
. j.. i .nil..,, uiry noun. IIIMT I U III UOOIi
us. which they did murderously and without
, ..v.. .,c- .-. .
.m.-.-m........ o. cuc o. ji.siiiicauon.
t here may be those without the means of .
full Information who believe that we were !
In nlllance with the Insurgents und that we !
assured them that they should have Inde-j
pendence. To such let me repeat the facts:!
On the 2Ctn of May, 1808, Admiral Dewey
was instructeo ny me to make no alliance
with any party or factlou lu the Phllinnlnes
that would Incur liability to maintain their
cause In the future, and he replied under
date of June 6, 1K0S:
nave acieu according to spirit of depart-
ment s instructions from the beginning, and
I have entered Into uo alliance with the In
surgents or with any faction. This squadron
can reduce the defenses of Manila at anv
moment, nut it ts considered useless until
ihe arrival of sufficient United States forces
to retain possession."
Denies Any Compact.
In the report of the first Philippine com-
mlsslou, submitted on Nov. 2, lS'JO, Admiral
uewey, one or its members, said:
"No alliance of any kind was entered into
with Agulnaldo nor was any promise of In
dependence made to hlni at any time."
(ieneral Merrltt arrived In the PblllpDlnes
- I . . 1 ' ,-. 1 1 .. i : . . . . .
on July 23, 1S0S, and a iispateh from Ad-
mlral Dewey to the government at Wash
ington said:
"Merrltt arrived yesterday. Situation Is
most critical at Manila. The Spanish may
surrender at any moment. Merrltt's most
difficult problem will be how to deal with
the Insurgents under Aguiualdo, who have
become aggressive and even threatening to
ward our army."
Here is revealed the spirit of the insur
gents as early as July, IMis, before the pro
",v"' "" "o-'- " .
f"sr.u "a,;r war fJ". r.ven men
the Insurgents were threatening our army.
Filipinos Took No Part.
On Aug. 13 Manila was captured, and of
this and subsequent events the Philippine
commission says:
"When the City of Manila was taken, Aug.
13, the Filipinos took no part in the attack,
hut came following In with a view to loot
ing the city and were only prevented from
doing so by our forces preventing thein from
entering. Agulnaldo claimed that he had
the right to occupy the city. He demanded
of General Merrltt the palace of Mai
for himself and the cession of a
icaaan
all the
churches of Manila, also that a part of the
of war should be given up. and. above all.
that he should be given the arms of the
Spanish prisoners. Ait these demands were
refused.
No Promise Made.
Generals Merrltt, Jireene and Anderson,
who were in command at the beginning of
our occupation and until the surrender of
Manila, state that there was no alliance ,
won Lue lu&urgeuis anu uo promise 10 luciii . inrui, uniy . Hanging tne relation from priu
of Independence. On Aug. 17, 1S08, General ; cipal. which now exists, to that of suretv.
Merrltt was instructed that there must be j Our responsibility Is to remain, but our pow
no joint occupation of Manila with the in- j er Is to be diminished. Our obligation Is to
surgents. General Anderson, under date of be no less, but our title la to be surrendered
Feb. 10, 1000, says that he was present at
the Interview between Admiral Dewey and
the insurgent leader, and that In this Inter
view Admiral Dewey made no promises
whatever. He adds:
"He tAguinaldo) asked me If my govern
ment was going to recognize his govern
ment. 1 answered that 1 was there simply
In a military capacity: that I could not ac
knowledge his government, because I had no
authority to do so."
Easy to Find Fault.
Wonld not our adversaries have sent
Dewey's fleet to Manila to capture and de
stroy the Spanish sea power there, or. dis
patching It there, would tbey have with
drawn it after the destruction of the Span
ish fleet; 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 onr adversaries condemn the expedi
tion under the command of General Merrltt
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 those who came within
our control by the fortunes of war? Could
we have come away at any time between
May 1, 1S08, and the conclusion of peace
without a stain upon our good name? Could
we have come away without dishonor nt 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 uo
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 had been so Inclined, which he was not.
So long as the sovereignty remains lu us It
Is the 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 less?
Begun by Insurgents.
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 Tagal Insurgents. The In
surgents did not wait for the action of Cou
gress. They assumed the offensive, they
opened fire on qur army.
Those who assert our responsibility for
the beginning of the conflict have forgotten
that before the treaty was ratified in the
Senate, and wtdle it was being debated In
that body, and while the Bacon resolution
was under discussion, on Feb. 4. 1800. the
insurgents attacked tbe American army,
after being previously advised that the
American forces were uuder orders not to
fire upon them except In defense. The pa
pers found in the recently captured archives
of the insurgents demonstrate that this at
tack had been carefully planned for weeks
before it occurred.
Only ttne Conrse Open.
Their unprovoked assault upon our sol
dlcrs at a time when the Senate was delib
crating upon tiie treaty shows that no ac
tion on our part except surrender and aban
donment would have prevented the fighting,
ami leaves no doubt in any fair mind where
the responsibility rests for the shedding of
American blood;
With all the exaggeraled pbrasemaklng
of this electoral contest, we are in danger of
being diverted from the real contention We
are iu agreement with all of those who sup
ported the war with Spain, aud also with
those who counseled the ratification of the
treaty of peace. Upon these two great es
sential steps there can be no issue, nnd out
of these came ail of oar 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 government suitable to the wan's
aud conditions of the inhabitants, aud to
prepare them for self-goverunieut, and to
give them self-government when they are
ready for it. and as rapid! as rhcy are
ready for It. That 1 am aiming to do under
my constitutional authority, and wlil con
tinne to do uutil Cougress shall determine
;he political status of the Inhabitants of the
archipelago.
Plea for Consistency.
Are our opponents against the treaty? If
so, they most lie reminded that It could not
have been ratified in the Senate but for their
assistance. The Senate which ratified the
sanction by a large appropriation comprised
Senators and Representatives of the people
of all parties. ("while tbetr nulliueatton I openly advocated
Would our opponents surrender to the in- at home. Our oppciinit may d:s ru I hetu
surgents. abandon our sovereignty or cede it ' selves, but Ihey have no right to discredit
to them? If that be not their purpose, then the good faith and patrtotlsiu of the major
it should be promptly disclaimed, fur only Ity of the people who are opposed to i hem.
evil can result from the hopes raised by onr They may fear the worst form of imperlai
opponents In the minds of the Filipinos, that istu with the helpless Filipinos it, their
with their success at the polls lu November
there will be a withdrawal of our army an
; Qf American sovereignty over the arciiipela
go. the complete Independence or the I aga-
log neople recognized and the powers or
goverumeut over aU the other peoples of the; sen its devotion to the Declaration of lndo
Hrohlpelugo conferred upon the Tagalog pendence. That Immr.rtal Instrument of the
leaders. j fathers remained unexecuted until th? peo-
Prolongs the Rebellion. pie under the b ad of the Republican party
The effect of a belief in the minds of the ' ?f """i- ."'"1 p
insurgems that this will be done has nl- j S5T. ., ,h(, ...,,cndinents anaranteelns no
ready prolonged the rebellion and Jtacre &
,ue u-e.si'y ,ur comiim. uce oi a aqjv
'he necessity for the continuance of a large hJ,
army. It Is now delaying full peace lu the; '
areliioelniro aud the establishment of c!vilif5. '
HIUIJ. 11 IS HOW lieiil.llllg 1U1I yfUW IU 1T
j archipelago aud the establishment of ctvij
. j , . . ,
gov criillieuis, ami ua .....ueueeu u..i. ol
the Insurgents against accepting the liberal
terms of amnesty offered by lieu. MacAr bur i
under my direction. But for these raise I
hopes a considerable reduction could have
ben hud in our military establishment In the t
Philippines aud the realization of a stable:
government would be already at nana.
I The American people are asked by our op
poBenta to yield the sovereignty of the
United Slates in the Philippines to a small
j fraction of the population, a single tribe out
; or eighly or more inhabiting tue arcnipeia
faetiou which waiitonlv attached the
American troops in Manila while in right
ful possession under the protocol with
Spain, awaiting the ratification of the treaty
of peace bv the Senate, and which has siuce
i been iu active, open rebellion against the
I. nited States. We are asked to transfer
our sovereignty to a small minority in tne
Islands without cousnltlng the majority and j
to abandon the largest portion of the popu
lation, which has been loyal to us, to the j
cruelties of the guerrilla Insurgent bands.
Demands Cannot He Met.
More than this, we are asked to protect
this minority lu establishing a government.
i 0UQ to thls e.Di repress all opposition of the
majority. We are reauired to set up a sta
hie government iu the Interest of those who
have assailed our sovereignty aud 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 army and navy far
larger than Is now maintained In ihe Philip
pines and still more In eX'-ess of what will
be necessary with the full recognition of our
sovereignty. A military support of author
ity not onr own, as thps proposed, is the very
essence of militarism, which our opponents
in their platform oppose, but which by their
policy would of necessity be established In
its most otnensive rorm.
No Premium on Murder.
The American people will not make the
' murderers of our soldiers the agents of the
j republic to convey the blessings of liberty
t and order to the Philippines. They will not
make them the builders of the new common
: wealth. Such a course would be a betrayal
of onr sacred obligations to the peaceful Fili
pinos, and would place at the mercy of dan
i gerous adventurers the lives and property of
the natives and foreigners. It would make
possible and easy the commission of such
, atrocities ns were secretly planned, to be
executed on the 22d of February. 1800, lu
i the City of Manila, when oulv the vigilance
of our army prevented the attempt to assas
sinate onr soldiers and all foreigners nnd
pillage and destroy the city and its surround
ings. In short, the proposition of those onnosed
to us to continue all the obligations In the
Philippines which now rest upon the govern
to another power, which is without experi
ence or training, or the ability to maintain a
stable government at home and absolutely
helpless to perform Its International obliga
tions with the rest of the world.
Will Defend Our Title.
To this we are opposed. We should not
yield our title while our obligations last.
In 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 lu every part of the
Islands,
No government can so certainly preserve
the peace, restore public order, establish
law, justice and stable condltious as ours.
Neither Congress nor the Executive can es
tablish a stable government iu these Islands
except under our right of sovereiguty. our
authority and our flag. Aud this we are do
ing. We could not do it as a protectorate power
so completely or bo successfully as we ar
doing it now. As the sovereign power we
can Initiate actiou nnd shape means to ends,
and guide the Filipinos to self-development
and self-government.
As a protectorate power we could not Ini
tiate ataion. hut would be compelled to fol
low and uphold a 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 their trouble had come.
Consent of the Governed.
Besides.-If we cannot establish any gov
ernment of our own 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 nor a minority of the
people have invited us to assume It. . o
couid not maintain a protectorate even with
the consent 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 relations. They would not
be thus free in any other relation. We will
not give up our owu to guarantee another
sovereignty.
Our title is good. Our peace commission
ers believed they were receiving a good title
when they concluded the treaty. The execu
tive believed it was a good title when hs
submitted it to the Senate of the United
States for Its ratification. The Senate be
lieved it was h gooil title wheu they gave it
their constitutional assent, and the Con
gress seems not to have doubted Its com
pleteness when they appropriated $i0,00!),0J0
provided by the treaty.
Title Is lina,uetion'tble.
If any who favored Its ratification believed
it gave us a bad title they were not sincere.
Our title Is practically Identical wltTi that
under which we hold our territory acquired
since the beginning of the government, and
under which we bare exercised full sov
ereignty and established government for the
inhabitants.
It is worthy of noie 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
paramount to any oilier or not. It is whether
we shall be responsible for the government
of the Philippines, with the sovereignty aud"
authority which enables ns lo guile them to
regulated liberty, law. safety am! progress,
or whether we shall be responsible fur the
forcible anil arbitrary government of a mi
nority, without sovereignty and authority
on onr part, and with only the embarrass
ment of a protectorate, which draws us Into
their troubles without the power of prevent
ing them.
Obligations of War.
There were lhoe who two years ago vere
rushing ns on to war with Spain who are
unwilling now to accept its vicar conse
quences, ns there are those among us who
advocated the ratification of the treaty of
peace, but now protest against Its obliga
tions. Nations which go lo war must be
prepared to accept Its resultant obligations,
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 uo place is
its creed or conduct. Freedom is a. rock up
on which the Republican, party was bunded
and now resls. Liheviy Is the great Republi
can doctrine for which the people went to.
war and for which a million lives were of
fered and billions of dollars expended to
make it a lawful legacy of all without las
consent of master or slave.
Strain of II v rjocriny.
There Is a strain of III concealed hypocrisy
In the anxiety to extend the consttt uttoanl
guarantees lo the people of the Philippines,
hands, hut if tney flu M i
inse th'-v have
parted with the spirit and faith of Hie fath
ers and have lost the virility of the founder
of I he party which they profess to represent
The Republican party doesn't have to as-
t n.er Drokp0 ,llpn) or counselled oth
, ihm It will n... I... irnlriocf
.,,.,.,",, K(.t , m.jnol,ks at
, in us r
i . , aI1,,.,,f,r KT ... .,. J,.piror
: . f. United States
UPlo"8" 8 to u " n" e " s a,e
Doctrine of l.inco n.
If our opponents would only practice as
well as preach the doctrlues of Abraham
Lincoln there would be uo fear for the safe-
I ty of onr institutions at home or their fiight-
ful influence in any territory over which our
flag floats.
Empire nas been expelled from Porto Rico
and the Philippines Of American freemen.
The flag of the republic now flo its ov,-r rhese
Islands as an emblem of rightful sovereign
ty. Wlil the republic stay and dispense to
their Inhabitants the blessings of liberty,
education and free instil ulious. or steal
away, leaving thein to anarchy or liupcrial-
, s
The American question Is between dut,
n duty
snd desertion. The American verdict will
be for duty and 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 fnlihfully adhered to as already
defined.
PurTerers in Pekin.
The nation Is filled with gratitude that the
i ni'.ie uuuu, oiuuufc i, ,...,.., u. ..... .. 4
blood, who for two months bad been sub
Jccted to privations and peril by the attacks
of pitiless hordes at tbe Chinese capital, ex
! hihitimr suoreuie courage In the face of de
spair, have been enabled by God's favor to
greet tbeir 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 Pekln: and while
t times the dark tidings seemeu to mniie an
hope vain, the rescuers never faltered lu Hie
heroic fulfillment of their noble task. We
are grateful to our owu soldiers and sailors
aud marines, and to all. tbe brave men who,
though assembled under many standards,
represenllng peoples and races strangers in
country and speech, were yet united In the
"sacred mission of carrying succor to the be
sieged, with a success that Is now the cause
of a world's rejoicing.
Pats ins of : ection:ilism.
Not only have we reason for thanksgiving
for our material blessings, but we should re
joice In tSe complete unlficallou of the 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 und tbe common sac
rifices for lis honor, so conspicuously shown
by the men of the North and South In the
Spanish war. have so strengthened -the ties
of friendship and mutual respect that noth
ing can ever again divide us.
The nation faces thr new century grate
fully and hopefully, with Increasing love of
country, with firm faith in its free Institu
tions, aud with high resolve that they "shall
not perish from the earth." Very respectfti
ly yours, WILLIAM M KINLEY.
, ,