Whitelaw Reid

The old view that each new Territory is merely another outlet for surplus population, soon to be taken in as another State in the Union, must be abandoned.

The old assumption that all inhabitants of territory belonging to the United States are to be regarded as citizens is gone.

The idea that government anywhere must derive its just powers only from the consent of the governed is unsettled, and thus, to some, the very foundations of the Republic seem to be shaken.

And when the constitutional objections are surmounted, those as to policy are not likely to lead the American people to recall their soldiers from the fields on which the Filipinos attacked them, or abandon the sovereignty which Spain…

No doubt, Executive action in advance of Congress might be satisfactory; but a President is apt to wait for Congress unless driven by irresistible necessities.

Whatever is done, it would be unreasonable to expect unbroken success or exemption from a learner's mistakes and discouragements.

But whoever supposes that these will result either in the abandonment of the task or in a final failure with it does not know the American people.

But the celebration of her past and the aspirations for her future belong to worthier sons--here among these gentlemen of the Board who have cared for her in her need.

I make them my profound acknowledgments for the honor they have done me in assigning me a share in the work of this day of days, and shall best deserve their trust by going with absolute candor straight to my theme.

I shall speak of the new duties that are upon us and the new world that is opening to us with the new century--of the spirit in which we should advance and the results we have the right to ask.

I shall speak of public matters which it is the duty of educated men to consider; and of matters which may hereafter divide parties, but on which we must refuse now to recognize party distinctions.

It will make an end forever of Spain in this hemisphere.