“It will be my constant endeavor to co-operate with the Filipino people, seeking the good of the country, and I invite their full confidence and aid.”

Aguinaldo, on this conciliatory definition of American purposes, objects to General Otis calling himself “Military Governor,” and cries out, with “all the energy of his soul against such authority,” and alludes to the policy of the President referring to the Philippine annexation, adding: 

“I solemnly protest, in the name of God, the root and fountain of all justice and of all right, and who has given to me power to direct my dear brothers in the difficult work of our regeneration, against this intrusion of the government of the United States in the sovereignty of these islands.

“And so, you must understand, my dear brothers, that, united by bonds which it will be impossible to break, such is the idea of our liberty and our absolute independence, which have been our noble aspirations, all must work together to arrive at this happy end, with the force which gives conviction, already so generally felt, among all the people, to never turn back in the road of glory, on which we have already so far advanced.”

President McKinley, on the evening of February l5th, addressed at the Boston Home Market Club banquet, all civilized nations, setting forth the policy of the United States in the Philippines, saying: 

“The Philippines, like Cuba and Porto Rico, were intrusted to our hands by the war, and to that great trust, under the providence of God and in the name of human progress and civilization, we are committed.  It is a trust from which we will not flinch.

“There is universal agreement that the Philippines shall not be turned back to Spain.  No true American would consent to that.

“The suggestions that they should be tossed into the arena for the strife of nations or be left to the anarchy or chaos of no protectorate at all were too shameful to be considered.  The treaty gave them to the United States.  Could we have required less and done our duty?

“Our concern is not for territory, or trade, or empire, but for the people whose interests and destiny were put in our hands.

“It is not a good time for the liberator to submit important questions to the liberated while they are engaged in shooting down their rescuers.

“The future of the Philippine Islands is now in the hands of the American people.

“I know of no better or safer human tribunal than the people.

“Until Congress shall direct otherwise, it will be the duty of the executive to possess and hold the Philippines.

“That the inhabitants of the Philippines will be benefited is my unshaken belief.

“No imperial designs lurk in the American mind.  They are alien to American sentiment.”

There is a directness of purpose and precision of statement about this that bears the stamp of sincerity, is impressive with the power of authority, and shines with the spirit of patriotism.