If, in the Providence of God, and in contempt of past judicial rulings, the Supreme Court should finally command it, this Commission, like every other branch of the Government, will obey.
Whitelaw Reid
The Public Record
Whitelaw Reid was an American politician, diplomat and newspaper editor, as well as the author of Ohio in the War, a popular work of history.
gutenberg.org
First order; then justice; then American civil rights, not for a class, or a tribe, or a race, but for all the people; then local self-government.
We can afford to abate the self-sufficiency of the almighty Yankee Nation enough to profit a little by the lessons other people have learned in going over the road before us.
From such lessons they will be sure to gather at once that if they now show a trace of timidity or hesitation in their firm and just course, because somebody has said something in Washington or on the stump, or because there is an election…
If they appoint one man, or encourage or silently submit to the appointment of one man, to responsible place in their service among these islanders, merely because he has been useful in politics at home, they will be organizing failure and…
You will not fail, because you know the peril and the prize.
In spite of rock and tempest's roar, In spite of false lights on the shore, Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea!
The Constitution of the United States established a Government, and not a league, compact, or partnership....
As a Government it was invested with all the attributes of sovereignty....
It is not only a Government, but it is a National Government, and the only Government in this country that has the character of nationality....
In the absence, then, of any law-making power in the Territory, to what source must the people look for the laws by which they are to be governed?
It will make an end forever of Spain in this hemisphere.