the State.

"Now that the Spanish government has been expelled, it can no longer
support the Church in this island, hence the Church will necessarily
have a hard struggle till it can establish itself on the basis of
voluntary parochial support. Meanwhile the Protestant denominations in
the United States will have the right to send their missionaries into
this inviting field, where they will doubtless receive a hearty welcome,
but still the advantage will remain with the Roman Catholic Church, in
which the people have been born, married and buried for the last four
hundred years.

"Besides, it must not be forgotten that the Church, like every other
institution of the island, will surely realize its full share of the
benefits arising from the union of the island with the great Republic.
It will, therefore, become more liberal and independent, as well as more
powerful than it has ever been.

"Fortunately for you, however, every other Christian denomination will
from this time forth be free to make converts, establish churches, open
schools and circulate religious books and newspapers, and generally to
show that it is a worthy teacher and guide to a higher and better
civilization than ever prevails where one Church holds undisputed sway.

"The second great menace to the future of the Porto Rican people is the
danger of an outbreak of violence and intolerance on the part of one
section of your people against another; the danger of insular turning
against peninsular; of Porto Rican turning against Spaniard, with the
torch and dagger, to avenge himself for the wrongs and oppressions, real
or imaginary, which have so long characterized the Spanish domination in
this beautiful island.

"It needs no argument to show that such an outbreak if it becomes
general, cannot fail to bring discredit on your countrymen as a
turbulent and law-breaking people who cannot be intrusted with the
precious privilege of self-government, and must therefore be ruled by a
military commander.

"I firmly believe that the Porto Ricans are a docile, orderly and kindly
people, well prepared for a better government than they have ever
enjoyed, but you must lose no opportunity to impress upon the United
States that you are tolerant and magnanimous as well.

"Your wrongs, whatever they were, have been avenged by the expulsion of
the Spanish flag and the Spanish dominion, without exertion or cost on
your part, and the least you can do in return is to