Whitelaw Reid: “Now suddenly the United States found itself in possession of Cuba, Porto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.”

Suppose it to be merely a war in defense of our own just rights and interests.

The people have generally more education and refinement than in other parts of the State; their public improvements are better, and their country is every way more attractive.

Congress is supreme, and, for all the purposes of this department, has all the powers of the people of the United States, except such as have been expressly or by implication reserved in the prohibitions of the Constitution.

I never saw hands more cheerful or contented than some managed on this last plan were.