Sigsbee and his crew; but it may be doubted whether any of the Spanish officials in Havana ever really held such a belief. While Spain herself was not directly responsible for the destruction of the war-ship and those who went down in her, it was some of her officials who destroyed her. The displacement of the ferocious Weyler had incensed a good many of his friends, some of whom most likely expressed their views in this manner, which, happily for the credit of humanity, is exceedingly rare in the history of nations. The momentous events that followed are given in another chapter. The President has had a most difficult course to pursue, as so many new problems have arisen for which he has had no precedent in American history. Unexpectedly to him and to every one, it became necessary for him, in concluding peace with Spain, to acquire the Philippine Islands. He had driven from those islands the already established government of Spain, which left the people of the Philippines without any organized form of government. They had themselves not been used to taking the initiative. They had for many generations been subject to the cupidity and malfeasance in office of the Spaniards. When the Spanish power was destroyed there seemed to be only two things to be done, either to assume entire possession and control of the islands, or to hand them back to Spain, who had lost, in consequence of her defeat in the war, what little respect she had among the Filipinos. THE PARIS COMMISSION The President showed his good judgment in appointing on the commission, which met in Paris, public spirited and representative men of both of the great political parties, and men who had diverse ideas as to the terms of peace which should be made. The report of their discussions and deliberations at Paris indicate that all the commissioners were prompted by the highest patriotic sentiments, and the country was willing to accept their judgment as right and proper. However, as in all great crises, there are those who just as conscientiously believe that the other course should have been taken. Also, although many voted for the acceptance of the treaty of peace as laid down at Paris, who really did not desire the acquisition of so much territory, yet when the decision came as to how these territories should be governed, there naturally has arisen a wide divergence of opinion. President McKinley has recognized from the very first that it is a matter for Congress to decide. His duty as commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States was plain, namely, to provide only for provisional government until a permanent form should be arranged for by Congress. The war has necessitated a very large increase in the standing army of the United States, and entailed an expenditure of money which the ordinary revenues would not meet. In consequence, with the war came the measures necessary to raise the increased revenue. Almost immediately with the declaration of war was passed the act called the Internal Revenue Bill. This is levied by stamp duties and revenue on all forms of commercial paper, including bank checks, notes, deeds and legal documents, besides sleeping car and steamboat tickets, patent medicines, and many other articles, too numerous to be mentioned. This was successful in raising the required revenue. In fact, since the successful conclusion of active military operations the expenditures of the government have decreased, and the revenue has increased to such an extent that the Secretary of the Treasury estimates that there will be a surplus of more than $70,000,000. The administration also has endeavored to fulfil its obligation in regard to financial legislation by the passing of the so-called Gold Bill, in March, 1900. This is discussed in another chapter. President McKinley's administration will go before the people during the campaign of 1900 with questions of vital importance upon some of which action has already been definitely taken, and on others action is yet to be taken, which, no doubt, will be influenced by the voters themselves. These questions are mentioned and discussed in other chapters In conclusion, President McKinley has been fortunate in his administration in helping to obliterate the last vestige of estrangement between the North and South. His wise selection of officers for important military commands from the ex-Confederate generals, his presence at unveiling and other ceremonies in the South, his speeches expressing kindly feeling, all have endeared him to the South as well as the North as the Nation's President. With the close of his official term, we enter upon a new century, which also marks the beginning of the second era in the Republic's history. William McKinley has been tried and has proved a willing and able public servant should it be required of him to guide the ship of state for another term HIS RE-NOMINATION Only a few times in our country's history, has a President received a re-nomination with the enthusiasm and confidence of his party, as did President McKinley at Philadelphia, on the 21st of June, 1900. It recalled in many ways the re-nomination of President Grant for a second term in the same city. His presidential term. has made him one of the foremost statesmen, whose principles, purposes and policy are of moment in all the world's wide affairs. From war and from peace alike, President McKinley has harvested results which enrich the nation and ennoble its history. He was nominated in 1896 because he represented protection and became, as it were, a balance of conflicting issues and probabilities. His second nomination seemed to sum up in his person the character of the determination and purpose of his party who propose to commit to him its standard. In him it claims to represent protection of home industry, protection of the foreign market, sound currency and gold standard, higher wages for labor, the widening of national influence, and a full knowledge of the power and resources of the United States, through all the islands of the sea. Therefore, with great confidence and with much enthusiasm, his party has again placed him before the country for the campaign of 1900. CHAPTER XVI. The Spanish-American War How the War was Brought on-Preparations for War-Opera- Treaty of Peace. HE war between the United States and Spain was, in brief, a THE war for humanity, for America could no longer close her ears to the wails of the dead and dying that lay perishing, as may be said, on her very doorsteps. It was not a war for conquest or gain, nor was it in revenge for the awful destruction of the Maine, though few nations would have restrained their wrath with such sublime patience as did our countrymen while the investigation was in progress. Yet it cannot be denied that this unparalleled outrage intensified the war fever in the United States, and thousands were eager for the opportunity to punish Spanish cruelty and treachery. Congress reflected this spirit when by a unanimous vote it appropriated $50,000,000 "for the national defense." The War and Navy Departments hummed with the activity of recruiting, the preparations of vessels and coast defenses, the purchase of war material and vessels at home, while agents were sent to Europe to procure all the war-ships in the market. Unlimited capital was at their command, and the question of price was never an obstacle. When hostilities impended the United States was unprepared for war, but by amazing activity, energy, and skill the preparations were pushed and completed with a rapidity that approached the marvelous. War being inevitable, President McKinley sought to gain time for our consular representatives to leave Cuba where the situation |