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ni;.SIIENT M'Ki'XLKY'S totter
of acceptance is probably tho most
important .unofficial document in
sure! in this country in n quarter of a
cwitury. The President taken tlie coun
try into hi confidence and throws n 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
Bryanisni means the "immediate" le
etmetion of the 'gold standard and sub
stitution therefor of free silver coinage
at the ratio of KJ to 1, the letter is im
portant in the historic sense because it
fives the American people their first
knowledge of the statesmanship and con
ditions connected witii recent epoch-making
events.
The I'resident, although by nature a
mHd and conciliatory man, can be arous
ed to n point of dangerous combutivonesss,
and when the mood is on him he becomes
one of the most effective debaters we
have had in this country fur many years.
In his letter lie wastes no time in what
might be called preliminary sparring, but,
having definitely located the enemy's
vitnl spot, which is the free silver heresy,
he Ktrikcs at it with farce and precision.
The financial question, he 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 bus not the Democratic party declar
ed for the "immediate" coinage of silver
at a ratio of 1I to 1? And is there any
doubt that Mr. Hrynn, who insisted upon
the insertion of the silver plank in the
platform, against the advice of the best
men in the party, will use every means,
If he is elected, to carry his principles
Into practice?
After paying the tribute of his regret
"that the Democratic party by its nominee
and its reiteration of the free silver plank
of 1S!)(1 has made it necessary for the
voters to reaffirm their decision of four
year ago in favor of the existing gold
standard, I'resident McKinlcy boldly
ploks up the gage of buttle on the issue
of imperialism. What that issue is he
states most happily in n simile paragraph
near the end of his letter. After he has
marshaled tho fact which place the
whole controversy in the clearest possi
ble historical light before tlie reader, he
tuft:
The American question Is be
tween duly and desertion the
American verdict will be for doty
nd against desertion, for tlie Ite
publie against both anarchy and
Imperialism.
As a campaign document the letter Is
regarded as phenomenally strong. Hut
It U more thau a campaign document. It
Is a contribution to history. Tlin I'resi
dent deals candidly with (he American
people. lie is not afraid to tell them
what he has done or why he did It. Ho
deals in facts rather than in arguments.
TUXT OK TUN M5TTUR.
President's View on Tree Silver nnj
the Philippine Question.
Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C,
Sept. 8. To the lion. Henry Cabot lndgc,
Chairman Notification Ooiiindltcc-My Dear
(Sir; The nomination of the Republican na
tional ronventlou of June 11), lliui), for the
oflloo of President of the Unit i-il Slates,
which, as the official representative of the
convention, you have conveyed to me, Is
accepted. I bavo carefully examined the
platform adopted Und give It my hearty
approval.
Upon the ercnt Issue of the Inst national
election It Is clear. It upholds the gold
standard and Indorses the legislation of the
present Congress by which that itandard
has been effectively strengthened. The sta
bility of our national currency Is, therefore,
secure ao long its those who udhere to this
platform are kept la control of the govern
ment. Same Issues Involved.
In the first battle, that of 1S08, the friends
sf the (old standard ami of noun J currency
wero triumphant nud the country Is enjny
tnf tbe fruits of that victory. Our niilng
.onlsts, however, are not sutlslled. They com
pel us to a second battle upon the same lines
sn which tbe first was fought and won.
While regretting the reopening of this
question, which can only dUttirb the present
satisfactory financial condition of the gov
ernment and visit uncertainty upon .our
grest business enterprises, we accept the
Issue and again Invite tbe sound money
forces to Join In winning another and we
hope a permanent triumph far an holiest
ftoanclal system which will continue luvlo
Jetle tbe public faith.
, All I.oynl to Fl'.ver.
As In 190, the three silver parties art
sotted under the same leader, who, Imme
diately after the eleetluu of that year, lu.aa
address to the blmetnlilsts, said;
"Tbe friends of bimetallism have not been
vanquished; they have simply been over
corns. They believe that the gold standard
Is a conspiracy of the money changers
gainst the welfare of the human rare and
they will continue the warfare against It."
The policy thus proclaimed bus been ac
cepted and continued by these parties, Tbs
silver Democratic platform of HWO continues
the warfare against the sn-cslled gold con-
piracy w hen It expressly says:
"We reiterate the demand of thnt (the
Chicago) platform of lSUtl fur an American
financial system nude by the American peo
ple for themselves, which shall restore and
uisluisln a bimetallic price level; and as
pari of such system the l uiued ate reitera
tion of the free and ununited coinage of
silver and g il at the present ratio of Id to
1, n l.lio tt waiting for tbe aid or consent of
any other uatlon."
Th I'nmmnntit Issue.
Ho tbe Issue Is presented. It will be noted
that the demand Is for the Immediate reiter
ation of the free eo 'tinge of silver at lit to
1. If another Ixue Is paramount, this Is
Immediate. It will admit of so delay a ad
wlil suQ.tr uo poftipoucutcuc.
Turning to the other associated parties,
wc find in the Populist national platform
adopted at Sioux Kails, 8. D., May 10, 1000,
the following declaration:
"We pledge anew the People's party nev
er to cease the agitation until this flsancial
conspiracy Is blotted from tbe statute book,
the Lincoln greenback restored, the bonds
ail paid and all corporation money forever
retired. We renthrm the demand for the re
opening of the mints of the United States
for the free and unlimited coinage of silver
and gold st the present legal ratio of 10 to
1. the Immediate Increase In the volume of
silver coins and certificates thus created to
be substituted, dollar for dollar, for the
bank notes Issued by private corporations
under special privilege, granted by law of
March 14, 1P00, and prior national banking
laws."
I'eclare Their Hostility.
The platform of the sliver party adopted
at Kausns City, July C, 11)00, makes tbe fol
lowing announcement:
"We declare It to be our Intention to lend
our efforts to the repeal of this corrency
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 principles of
the Constitution Itself; and wc shall not
cease our efforts until there has been estab
lished In Its place a monetary system based
upon the free and unlimited coinage of silver
and gold into money at tbe present legal
ratio of 10 to 1 by the Independent action of
the United States, under which system all
paper money shall be Issued by the govern
ment, nud all such money coined or Issued
shall be a full legal tender In payment of
all debts',' public and private, without excep
tion." Combine Against Gold.
In all three platforms these parties an
nounce that their efforts shall be unceasing
until the gold act shall be blotted from tbe
statute books and the free and unlimited
coinage of sliver at 10 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 lu conscience to carry Into admin
istration nud legislation Its several declara
tions and ddctrlnes. One declaration will be
us obligatory as another, but nil are not Im
mediate, It Is not possible that these parties would
treat the doctrine of If! to 1, the Immediate
realisation of which Is demanded by their
several plutforms, as void and Inoperative
lu the event that they should be clothed
with power. Otherwise tbelr profession of
faith Is Insincere. It Is therefore the Im
pcra'lve business of those opposed to this
financial heresy to prevent tbe triumph of
the parties whose union is ouly assured by
adherence to the silver Issue.
Fiiclnu; Grave Peril.
Will the American people, through Indif
ference or fancied security, hnxnrd the over
throw of the wise Ilnaiiclal legislation of the
lust year and revive the danger of the silver
standard, with all of the Inevitable evils of
shattered confidence and genera! disaster
which justly alarmed and aroused them in
18011?
The Chicago platfonn of 181)0 Is reaffirmed
lu its entirety by (he 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. Knur years ago
the people refused to place the seal of their
approval upon these dangerous and revolu
tionary policies, and this year they will not
fall to record again their earnest dissent.
Knitbful to Pledges.
The Republican party remains faithful to
Its principle of a tariff which supplies suf
ficient revenues for the government and ade
quate protection to our enterprises nud 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 farms.
The time-honored principles of protection
and reciprocity were the llrst pledges of Re
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 a quarter of a century;
has established a representative government
lu Hawaii; has enacted bills 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 25,000 for tbe benefit of villages
and rural communities, bringing the oppor
tunity for profitable business In banking
within the reach of moderate capital. II any
are already availing themselves of this priv
ilege. Koine Convincing l'limres.
During the past year more than $19.POO,00
of United States bonds have been paid from
the surplus revenues of the treasury, and in
addition $25,000,0C0 of 2 per cents matured,
called by the government, are In process of
payment," Pacific ltallroad bonds Issued by
the government In aid of the roads In the
sum of nearly $4 1,000,000 have been paid
slnco Dee. SI, 1897. The treasury halsm'e Is
In satisfactory condition, showing on Sept.
1 $1X1,410,000, lu addition to the $130,000,000
gold reserve In the treasury. The govern
ment relations with the l'aclilc railroads
have been substantially closed, $12-I,-I21,0i 0
being received from these roads, the greater
part In cash and the remainder with ample
securities for payments deferred.
Instead of diminishing, as was predicted
four years ago, the volume of our currency
Is greater per capita than It has ever been.
It was till. 10 In 100, It had Increased to
$2ft.S0 on July 1, IIHK), and $2M.SA on Sept. 1,
litoo. Our total money on July 1, 18lMi. was
$1, ; r.Ofl.431, 0U1; on July 1, ISHiO, It was $2,
0d2.t23.4U0, aud $2,090,083,04:: on Sept. 1,
1000.
Prosperity In General.
Oar Industrial and agricultural conditions
are more promising than they have been for
tunny year; probably more so than they
have ever been. Prosperity abounds every
where throughout the republic. 1 rejoice
that the Southern as well as the Northern
States are enjoying a full share of these Im
proved national conditions and that all are
contributing so hugely to our remarkable
Indus; rial development.
The money lender receives lower rewards
tor his capital than If It were Invested In
active business. The ratea of Interest are
lower than they have ever been In this coun
try, while those things which are produced
en tbe farm and In the workshop, and the
labor producing them, have advanced la
value.
Our foreign trade shows a aatlsfactory and
lacresslsg growth. The amount f eu et-
ports for tbe year 1900 over those of the ex
ceptionally prosperous year of 1809 was
aliout half a million dollars for every day
of the year, and these sums have gone Info
the homes nud enterprises of the people.
There has been an Increase of over $50,000,
000 In the exports of agricultural products,
$0.!,0H2,22O In manufactures and In the prod
ucts of the mines of over $10,000,000.
Big Gains in Trade.
Our trade balances cannot fall to give sat
isfaction to the people of the country. In
18!8 we sold abroad $015,432,076 of products
more than we bought nbrond, In 1S99 $529,
874,813 and In 1900 $544,471,701, making dur
ing the three years a totnl bnlauce In our
favor of $l,f.S9, 779,100 nearly five times the
balance of trade In our favor for the whole
period of lOS yenrs from 1790 to June 20,
1897 Inclusive. .
Four hundred and thirty-six million dol
lars of gold have been added to the gold
stock of the United States since July 1. 18IK1.
The law of March 14, 1900, authorized the
refunding Into 2 per cent bonds of that part
of the public debt represented by the 3 per
cents due In 1008, tbe 4 per cents due in 1907
and tbe 5 per cents due lu 1904, aggregating
$810,000,000. More than one-third of the
sum of these bonds was refunded In the first
three mouths after the passage of the net,
and on Sept. 1 the sum had been Increased
more than $33,000,)00, making In nil $.'U0,
578,050, resulting lu a net saving of over $S,
379,520. Government Saving Money.
The ordinary receipts of tbe government
for tbe fiscal year 1900 were $79,627,000 In
excess of Its expenditures.
While our receipts both from customs and
Internal revenue have been greatly increas
ed, our expenditures hnye been decreasing.
Civil and miscellaneous expenses for the fis
cal year ending June 30, 1900, wore nearly
$14,000,000 less than In 1S)9. while on the
war account there Is a decrease of more
PRESIDENT
than Jflo.OOO.OOO. There was required $8,
000,000 less to support tbe navy tills year
than last, and the expenditures on account
of Indians were nearly two and three-quarters
million dollars less than lu 1899.
Tbe only two Items of Increase lu the pub-,
He expenses of 1000 over 1S99 are for pen
sions and Interest on the public debt. For
1899 we expended for penslous $1.'!9,S94,029,
and for the fiscal year 1900 our payments on
this account amounted to $110.877.::i0. The
net Increase of Interest ou the public debt
of 11)00 over 1891) required by the war loan
was $203,4(18.25.
Hon ds Speedily Taken.
While Congress authorized the govern
ment to mnke n war loan of $100,000,000 at
the beginning of the wur with Spain, only
$200,000,000 of bonds was Issued, bearing 3
per cent Interest, which were promptly and
patriotically taken by our citizens.
Unless, something unforeseen occurs to r
duee our revenues or Increase our expendi
tures, the Congress at its next session should
reduce taxation very muterlally.
Fifty years ago we were selling govern
ment bonds bearing as high as 3 per cent In
terest. Now we lire redeeming them with a
bond at par bearing 2 per cent Interest. We
are selling our surplus products aud lending
our surplus money to F.urope.
Kuropn Is I nr I'ebtor.
One result of our selling to other nations
so much more than we have bought from
them during the past three years Is a radical
Improvement of our financial relations. The
gnat amounts of capital which have been
borrowed of F.urope for our rapid, material
development have remained a constant drain
upon our resources for Interest and .divi
dends nud made our money markets liable
to coustaut disturbances by calls for pay
ment or heavy sales of our securities when
ever money . stringency or panic occurred
abroad. We biive now been paying these
debts and bringing home many of our se
curities and establishing countervailing
credits abroad by our loans and placing cur
selves upon a sure fouudailou of financial
Independence.
la the unfortunate contest between Great
Krltnlu and ibe liner states of South Africa
the United States has maintained nn ntil
tude of neutrality In accordance with Irs
well-known traditional policy. It did not
hesitate, however, when requested by tbe
governments of Ibe Sooth African republics,
to exercise its good o dices for a cessalluu of
hostilities.
DM Whrtt We Conld.
It la to be observed that nh le the Sontb.
African republics made like request of a her
powers, tbe United State Is the only one .
which compiled. The llrltlsh government 1
declined to accept tbe Intervention of aa '
power.
Moety-ooe per cent et onr exports and I v 1
oorts are low carried by foreign ships. 1 -
ocean transportation we pay annually to for
eign ship owners over $103,000,000. We
ought to own the ships for our carrying
trade with the world, nhd we ought to build
them In American shipyards and man them
with American sailors. Our own cltlxens
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. 0, 1S97, 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 he Improved
and enlarged. We should do our full share
of the carrying trade of the world. We do
not do it now. We should be the laggard no
longer."
In my message of Dec. 5, 1SP9, 1 said:
"Our national development wi I be one sided
and unsatisfactory so long as the remark
able growth of our Inlond Industries remains
unaccompanied by progress on the sens.
There Is no lack of constitutional authority
for legislation which shall give to the coun
try maritime strength commensurate with
its Industrial achievements and with its
rank among the nations nf the earth.
"The past year has recorded exceptional
activity In our shipyards, and the promises
of continual prosperity in shipbuilding are
abundant. Advanced legislation for the pro
tection of our seamen has been enacted. Our
coast trade, under regulations wisely framed
at the beginning of the government and
since, shows Its results for the pat fiscal
year uneqnnled In our records or those of
any other power.
Need of the Canal.
"We shal) fall to realize tflir opportuni
ties, however, If we complacently regard
only matters at home and blind ourselves to
the necessity of securing our share lu tbe
valuable carrying trade of the wor d.
"1 now reiterate these views.
M'KINLEY.
"A sabjeet of Immediate Importance to
our country Is thj completion of a great
waterway of commerce between the Atlantic
and Pacific. The construction of a mari
time canal Is now more than ever Indispen
sable to that Intimate and ready communi
cation between our eastern and western sea
portB, demanded by the annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands and the expansion of our
Influence and trade In the Pacific.
"Our natlonnl policy more Imperatively
than ever calls for Its completion and con
trol hy this government, and It Is believed
that the next session of Congress, after re
ceiving the full report of the commission ap
pointed under tbe act approved March 3,
1899, will make provisions for the sure ac
complishment of thla great work.
Wonld Restrict Trnats.
Combinations of capital which control the
market In commodities necessary to the gen
eral use of the people by suppressing nat
ural and ordinary competition, thua en
hancing prices to the general consumer, are
obnoxious to tbe common law and the public
welfare. They are dangerous conspiracies
against the public good, and abould be made
the subject of prohibitory or penal legisla
tion. Publicity will be a helpful Influence to
check this evil. Uniformity of legislation In
the different States should be secured. Dis
crimination between what Is Injurious and
what Is useful and necessary In business
operations Is essential to the wise and effect
ive treatment of this subject.
Honest co-operation of capital Is necessary
to meet new business conditions and extend
our rapidly Increasing foreign trade, but
conspiracies and combinations Intended to
restrict business, create monopolies and con
trol prices should be effectively rest ruined.
Pest Friends of Labor,
The best service which can be rendered to
labor la to afford It' an opportunity for
steady and remunerative employment and
give It every encouragenieut for advance
ment. The policy that subserves this end la
the true American policy. The past three
years have been more satisfactory to Amerl
c.iti worklngfhen thau many preceding years.
Any change of the pre-vut Industrial or
tin.ineial policy of the government would be
disastrous to their h'gUest Interests.
With prosperity at home and an Increas
ing foreign market fcr American products
employment should contluue to wait upon
labor, and with the present g dd atacdard
the worklngiuait Is secured against payment
tor his labor In a depreciated currency. For
labor a short day Is better than a short dol
lar. One will llghteu the burdens, the o;her
iesieus tbe rewards of tell. The one will
promute contentment and Independence, the
.i tier penury and want.
' p?a-a for Good Waarea.
:e wsges of labor should be adequate to
tbe home la comfort, educate the call
dren, and, with thrift and economy, lay
something by tor the days of Infirmity and
old age.
Practical civil service reform has always
had tbe support and encouragement of the
Republican party. Tbe 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
ameudinents were promulgated by executive
order uuder date of May 29, 1809, having for
their principal purpose the exception from
competitive examination of certain places in
volving fiduciary responsibilities or duties
of a strictly confidential, scientific or execu
tive character, which If was thought might
better he filled by noncompetitive examina
tion or by other tests of fitness In the dis
cretion of the appointing officer.
. Value nf Merit System.
It Is grnf Ifjlng that the experience of more
than a year bus vindicated these changes In
the marked improvement of the public ser
vice. The merit system, as far as practicable,
Is made tbe 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 their
country's battles and defended its honor.
The survivors and the wddows and orphans
of those; who have fallen are Justly entitled
to receive the generous and considerate care
of the nation.
Few are now left of those who fought In
tlie 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
Spanish war, will not be neglected by their
grateful countrymen. The pension lawa
have been liberal. They should be justly
administered, and will be. Preference
should be given to the soldiers, sailors and
marines, their widow's and orphans, with
respect to employment In tbe public, ser
vice. Kept Faith with Cuba.
We have been In possession of Cuba since
the first of January, 1S99. We have re
stored order aud established domestic tran
quillity. We have fed the starving, clothed
tbe naked, and ministered to the sick. We
have Improved the sanitary condition of the
Island. We have stimulated Industry, In
troduced public education, and taken a full
and comprehensive enumeration of the In
habitants. The qualification of electors has been set
tled and under It officers have been chosen
for all the municipalities of Cuba. These
local governments are now In operation, ad
ministered by the people. Our military es
tablishment has been reduced from 43,000
to less than 6,000.
An election has been ordered to be held on
the 15th of September under a fair election
law already tried In tbe municipal elections,
to choose members of a constitutional con
vention, and the convention, by the same
order. Is to assemble on tbe first Monday of
November to frame a constitution upon
which an Independent government for the
Island will rest. All this Is a long step In
the fulfillment of our sacred guarantees to
the people of Cuba.
Plans for Porto Rico.
We hold Porto Rico by the same title as
the Philippines. The treaty of peace which
ceded us tbe one conveyed to us the other.
Congress has given to this Island a govern
ment In which tbe Inhabitants participate,
elect their own legislature, enact their own
local laws, provide their own system of tax
ation, and In these respects have the same
power and privileges enjoyed by other terri
tories belonging to tbe United States and a
much larger measure of self-government
than was given to the Inhabitants of Louisi
ana under Jefferson. A district court of the
United States for Porto Rico has been estab
lished and local courts have been Inaugur
ated, all of which are In operation.
The generous treatment of the Porto
Rlcans accords with tbe most liberal thought
of our own country and encourages tbe best
aspirations of the people of tbe Island.
While they do not have Instant free com
mercial Intercourse with the United States,
Congress complied with my recommendation
by removing, on the 1st day of May last,
S3 per cent of the duties and providing for
the removal of the remaining 15 per cent
on the 1st of March, 1902, or earlier if the
legislature of Porto Rico shall provide local
revenues for the expenses ot conducting the
government.
Island Is Profited.
During this Intermediate period Porto
Rlcan products coming Into the United
Statea pay a tariff ef 15 per cent of the fates
under the DIngley act and our goods going
to Porto Rico pay a like rate. The duties
thus paid and collected both in Porto Rico
and the United States are paid to the gov
ernment of Porto Rico and no part thereof
Is taken by tbe national government.
All of the duties from Nov. 1, 1893, to June
30, 1900, aggregating the sura of $2,250,
623.21, paid at the custom houses in the
United Statea npon Porto Rtcnn products,
under the laws existing prior to the above
mentioned act of Congress, have gone Into
the treasury of Porto Rico to relieve the
destitute and for schools and other publTc
purposes. In addition to this, we have ex
pended for relief, education and Improve
ment of roads the sum of $1,513,084.95.
Military Force Cnt Down,
The United States military force In the
Islands has been reduced from 11,000 to
1,500, and native Porto Rlcans constitute for
tbe most part tbe local constabulary.
Under tbe new law and tbe Inauguration
ot civil government there has been grati
fying revival of business. The manufactures
of Porto Rico are developing; her Imports
are Increasing; her tariff Is yielding In
creased returns; her fields are being culti
vated; free schools are being established.
Notwithstanding the many embarrassments
Incident to a change of national conditions,
she la rapidly showing the good effects of
her new relations to this nation. -
For the sake of full and Intelligent under
standing of the Philippine qnestlon and to
gve to the people authentic Information of
tbe sets and alms of tbe administration, I
present at some length the events of Impor
tance leading up to the present situation.
The purposes of tbe executive sre best re
vealed aud ean best be Judged by what be
baa done and la doing.
Every More for Peace.
It will be seen that the power of the gov
ernment has been used for the liberty, the
peace and the prosperity of the Philippine
p.- ples, snd that force has beea employed
only against force which stood la tae war
f the reailssUoa of these sads
On the 25th day of April, 1898. Congress
declared that a state of war existed between
Spain and the United States. On May 1, '
1898, Admiral Dewey destroyed tbe Spanish
fleet In Manila Bay. On May 19, 1898, MJ.
Gen. Merrltt, U. 8. A., was placed In com
mand of the military expedition to Manila
and directed among other things to Immedi
ately "publish a proclamation declaring that
we come not to mnke war upon tbe people
of the Philippines nor upon any part or fac
tion among them, but to protect them Is
their homes. In their employments, and la
their personal and religious rights. All per
sons who, either by active aid or by honest
submission, co-operate with the United
States In Its efforts to give effect to this
beneficent purpose wdll receive the reward
of Its support and protection."
Some Fortunes of War.
On July 3, 1S98, the Spanish fleet Is at
tempting to escape from Santiago harbor
was destroyed by the American fleet, and on
July 17, 1S98, the Spanish garrison In the
city of Santiago surrendered to the com
mander of tbe American forces.
Following these brilliant victories, on the
12th day of August, 1898, upon the Initiative
of Spain, hostilities were suspended, and s
protocol was signed with a view to arrang
ing terms of peace between the two govern
ments, in pursuance thereof I appointed as
commissioners the following distinguished
cltlzers to conduct the negotiations ou the
rart of tbe United States: Hon. William R.
Day of Ohio, Hon. William P. Frye of
Minnesota, Hon. George Gray of Delaware
and Hon. Whltelaw Reld of New York.
Forced Into Conflict.
In addressing the peace commission before
Its departure for Paris, I said:
"It Is my wish that throughout the nego
tiations intrusted to the commission the pur-.
pose and spirit with which the United State
accepted the unwelcome necessity of war;
should be kept constantly In view. We
took up arms only In obedience to the die-
tatcs of humanity and the fulfillment of hlgli
public and moral obligations. We had o
design of aggrandizement and no ambition
of conquest.
"Through the long course of repeated rep
resentations which preceded and aimed to
avert the struggle and In the final arbitra
ment of force this country was Impelled sole
ly by the purpose of relieving grievous
wrongs and removing long existing condi
tions which disturbed its tranquillity, which,
shocked the moral sense of mankind snd
which could no longer be endured.
Hiich Sense of Duty.
"It la my earnest wish thnt tbe Untied..
States In making peace .should follow tbe
same high rule of conduct which guided tt
In facing war. It should be as scrupulous
and magnanimous In the concluding settle
ment as it was Just aud humane in Its orig
inal action. Our aim In the adjust
ment of pence should be directed to lasting
results aud to the achievement of the com
mon good under the demands of civilization,
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 upon
us obligations which we cannot disregard.
The march of events rules and overrules
human action. Avowing unreservedly the
purpose which has animated all our efforts,
and still solicitous to adhere to lr, wc can
not be unmindful that without any desire
or design ou our part the war has brought
us new duties and responsibilities which we
must meet aud discharge as becomes a great
nation on wnose grow'h and career, from
the begiuuiug, the Ruler of Nations has
plainly - written the high command and
pledge of civilization."
Shirked No Responsibility.
On Oct, 28, 1890, while the peace commis
sion was continuing Its negotiations In Parts,,
the following additional Instruction was
sent:
"It Is Imperative upon us that as victors
we should be governed only by motives
which will exalt our nation. Territorial ex
pansion should be our least concern; tbar.
we shall not shirk the moral obligations at
our victory is of the greatest.
"It Is undisputed that Spain's authority Is
permanently destroyed In every part of the
Philippines. To leave any part In her feeble
control now would Increase our difficulties
and he opposed to the Interests of human
ity. Nor can we permit Spain t
transfer any of the islands to another
power. Nor can we invite another power
or powers to join tbe Uulted Statea In sov
ereignty over them. We must either hold
them or turn them back to Spain.
Only One Honorable Course.
"Consequently, grave as are the responsi
bility and unforeseen as are the. difficul
ties which are before us, the President csrj.
see but one plain path of duty, the accept
ance of tbe archipelago. Greater difficulties
and more serious complications administra
tive and International would follow any
other course.
' "Tbe President has given to the views ot
the commissioners the fullest consideration,
and In reaching the couclusion above an
nounced, In tbe light of Information com
municated to the commission and to the
President since your departure, be has beer
Influenced by tbe single consideration of
duty and humanity. The President Is not
unmindful of tbe distressed financial condi
tion of Spain, and whatever consideration
the United States may show must come
from Its sense of generosity and benevol
ence rather than from any real or techjilcsl
obligation."
Could Not Abandon Them,
Again, on Nov. 13, I Instructed the com
mission: "From the standpoint of indemnity, bolt
tbe archipelagoes (Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines) are insufficient to pay our war ex
penses, but aside from this, do we not owe
an obligation to the people of tbe Philip
pines which will not permit us to return
them to tbe sovereignty of Spain? Could w
justify ourselves in such a course, or could
we permit their barter to some other power?
"Willingly or not,. we have the responsi
bility of duty which we cannot escape.
The President cannot believe any .
division of the archipelago can bring us any
thing but embarrassment In the future. The
trade and commercial side, ss well as the
Indemnity for tbe cost of the war, are ques
tions we might yield. They might be waived
or compromised, but tbe questions of duty
and humanity appeal to tbe President so
strongly that be can find no appropriate an
swer but the one he has here marked oat."
Terras of the Treaty.
The treaty ef peace was concluded on Dee.
10, 1S93. By Its terms the archipelago
known as the Philippine islands, waa eeded
by Spain t tbe United States. It wss slss
nrovided that "the civil rights and politic
4v
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