New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-08
THE FATE OF THH PHILIPPINES.
RESPONSIBILITY LAID UPON THE UNITED
STATES BY THE DECLARATION OF
THE FATHERS.

THE FATHERS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Our Ship of State is freighted with the
hopes Of a world. The tempests Of have
blown her into strange waters How shall che
pursue her voyage In safety? The charts Il
other seas the reckonings Of other degrees Of
longitude the counsel-wise In its time-of cap
tains now dead and gone, all are useless to her
pilot Yet Is there one unerrng adviser to
whom in our perplexty we can resort. 1t is the
magnetic needle that ever points 10 the lode
altar Whatever else shall fail. whatever else
shall be uncertain however contrary the cur
rents. however fierce the storm, however black
the midnight, the compass VIII always be cor
rect.
our political lode star will be found where the
fathers placed 1t on July T. 1916, in the words.
we hold these truths to be sef-evdent. that
all men are created equal" Not all white men
as Democratic statesman no longer living
once strenuously insisted. Not all Americans.
or all Spanards, or all F'ilippinas. but all men.
The compass also tells us that 1t is to achieve
and sustain this equal right to life. liberty and
the pursuit Of happiness that governments were
instituted among men,.
Are we not charged with the duty Of securing
the people Of the Philippines? To preserve our
Pacific ports from bombardment, and our Paci-
hc commerce from devastation. Admiral Dewey
damned the torpedoes and amid the scream Of
shells sent the fleet Of Spain and the power Of
Spain TO the bottom of Manila Bay. BY that
act he made the United States of America trus
tee in trust for all the people of the Philippines
insurgents and loyalis.s, Malays Negritos,
Chinese and Mestizos. BY that act he made
this Nation responsible to those people. and to
all nations and to the God of nations for the
lives and liberties and civil rights Of the Flip
oinas.
Can we properly discharge that responsibility
by returning the Philippines to the domination
of Spain? IT, with Montojos feet in commits
sion and the Spanish Army undaunted. and the
power Of the priesthood unchaenged and the
insurgents inadequately armed. and with money
to bride rebel leaders into submission Spain
was unable to keep the rebellion In check. how
could she hope to renstate her rule with her
fleet destroyed. her army dsheartened. her
priests driven out. her treasury bankrupt and
with the insurgents newly armed, reinforced
and nvigorated?
Should we fulfil our trust If Spain should sue
coed in conquering the insurgents and the FLIP
plnas be RENTED to government by torture and
tyranny?
Should we fulfil 1t If the insurgents should sue.
coed and the Malays be allowed to inaugurate
a government Of loot and butchery?
should we fulfil it by returning the islands to
Spain and allowing her TO sell them 70 one OF
more European Powers-Powers whose methods
., Government. while more civilized than those
OF snain. would not insure TO the people their
rights TO life. liberty and the pursuit Of happi.
ness?
Should we fulfil our trust by palterng with ana
frittering away the magnificent opportunity
now afforded US to extend our commerce, our
dominion and our power, In ways that VIII ADJ
IN our wealth and the wealth Of the world while
we help the helpless. free the oppressed. give
new opportunities to the worker and capitalist
and innict no injury or disadvantage upon any
living creature?
Let us rather obey the sublime law annD0ced
In the fathers declaration. Let us guarantes
equal rights to life. liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness to the people and all the people OF
the Philippines. Let us establish there law Or
der equal rights and civil and religious liberty.
Let us educate the people 10 f-government'
and let the future decide whether they may es-
tablish independent republic or ~enaih
part OF the greatest. freest and most prosperous
Nation under the light OF the sun
Could we ask the brave NEWCOMER who'
with his life linked the great names or Hamiltoh
and OF Fish once more 10 immortality could
we ask the gallant O'Neill. who "gambled FOR
star" at Siboney. and won II as he climbed the
! red path to glory. the question. What should We
do with the Philippines? what would ~ their
answer? I, would be. Never let the fag~Se per-
manently lowered from any spot on earti> "here
its stripes have once huttered In the breeze
Never return TO bondage those who have once
lifted their faces In greeting TO the emancipat'
ing CLEAN of it's stars. THOMAS FlICh
New-York Aug. 3. 1898.
THE GOVERNMENTS PLAIN DUTY.