ng the control of the Philippine Islands
to negotiation between the parties.

It is absurd now to say that we will not negotiate but will
appropriate the whole subject-matter of negotiation. At
the very least let us adhere to the President' instructions
and if conditions require the keeping of Luzon forego the
material advantages claimed in annexing other islands. Above
all let us not make a mockery of the injunction contained
in those instructions, where, after stating that we took
up arms only in obedience to the dictates of humanity and
in the fulfillment of high public and moral obligations, and
that we had no design of aggrandizement and no ambition of
conquest, the President among other things eloquently says:

"It is my earnest wish that the United States in making peace
should follow the same high rule of conduct which guided it
in facing war. It should be as scrupulous and magnanimous
in the concluding settlement as it was just and humane in
its original action."

This and more, of which I earnestly ask a reperusal, binds
my conscience and governs my action.

GEORGE GRAY.
WEDNESDAY, 12.30, night.

Senator Gray afterward signed the Treaty, defended it in
debate, and voted for its ratification. He vigorously defended
his vote on the floor of the Senate, chiefly by the argument
that when he learned that it was the purpose of the United
States to expel Spain from the Philippine Islands, he concluded
it was our duty to remain there for the protection of the
people against foreign rapacity and against domestic anarchy.
He claimed that he had been influenced in coming to this conclusion
very considerably by the fact that I was reported to have
said that under no circumstances would we give back the Philippine
people to Spain. That was true. I believed then, and believe
now, that it was our duty to deliver them from Spain, to protect
them against her, or against the cupidity of any other nation
until her people could have tried fully the experiment of self-
government, in which I have little doubt they would have
succeeded.

When I saw President McKinley early in December, 1898, he
was, I suppose, committed to the policy to which he adhered.
He greeted me with the delightful and affectionate cordiality
which I always found in him. He took me by the hand, and
said: "How are you feeling this winter, Mr. Senator?" I
was determined there should be no misunderstanding. I replied
at once: "Pretty pug