The record-union., 1898-07-29
Weather Forecast.
WHAT SHALL THE ANSWER BE?


Administration and the majority OF
the people, as assuredly it Is dlvldlng
the sentiment of the country already.
Unquestionably there is large fol-
lowing of devoted citizens who will con-
cur with Professor Benjamin Ide
Wheeler. who, in a late essay, comedies
that in all this matter the mills OF the
gods are grinding, and that as Spain
must no longer tarry in the west, so
neither must we be content within gar
den walls and comfortable domesticity,.
and shun the responsibilities that the
commerce and intercourse of the larger
world exact of those who stand for or
der and equal justice in the affairs Of
men.
Nevertheless this scholarly man and
profound thinker hesitates, and declares
that however the letter and form of our
charter and creed may fade there are
some things that must abide. I'VE
cannot, declaring for government of
and for and by the people, impose upon
conquered peoples a foreign sway or
one that finds its supreme motive in
the benefits accruing to others than the
governed We must be loyal to the old
IN serving the new"
Other Americans go to the extreme
of reserve and declare that possessions
beyond the bounds Of the continent,
no matter how acquired, viii prove de-
structive of our institutions, involve US
in foreign entanglements and break
down the barriers which have made us
invincible to the foes Of liberty No
accepted by these.
But still others, and we think the
greater number are agreed that what
we have fairly won in war-justly pro-
moted-we have the right to keep, and
should hold. That we have assumed
trust thereby, to abandon which would
be cowardly These hold that the
times, our trade needs, the protection
of our citizens abroad, the conserva-
ton of our commercial interests and
our character as nation demand that
we should take such interest in the
larger affairs of the world as will COM
mand respect for our flag wherever it
floats, and insure the protection of our
citizens wherever they may be. That
to take legitimately, and hold here and
there an island possession is not impe-
rialism, but simply fair dealing, plac-
ing ourselves on something Of a level
with other Powers tending to check
their tyrannous procedure and to spread
the truths Of self government
These hold that this is not and can
not be an exclusive nation. That we
have steadily acquired, and always at
the expense of races of lower degree
standing in the pathway of human prog
7ess and the beams of human enlight-
enment. That it is given in the mani
fest destiny of mankind that we shall
not look backward, nor worship the
patriarchs whose wisdom was fitted to
conditions of which they had knowl-
edge and experience; but that it is an
immutable law Of mankind that Gov
ernments of the highest efficiency must
supersede in all semi-civilized and all
barbarous countries the Governments
of lower efficiency. those Of brute force
and tyrannous power. and that the
bayonet and the schoolbook must put
aside the spear and the sling.
An apostle Of those holding to these
truths is Henry Watterson, when he
exclaims:
To surrender territory acquired by
the outlay OF so much blood and treas
ure would be a wanton and cowardly
abandonment Of obligations and op-
portunities literally heaven-sent, for
they were not originally contemplated
by anybody. We cannot remand the
Philippines to Spain, or commit them to
a population Incapable Of self-govern-
ment, to become a prey of European
diplomacy. Neither can we sell them
to some purchasing Power.
The New York Times" which holds
that diplomacy might have accom-
plished all for which we plunged into
this conflict, and which paper is ac-
cused Of being opposed to the war,
though of that we have not discovered
sufficient grounds to support the charge
--even the "Times" asks Mr.. Cleveland
and Mr.. Bryan what they would do with
the Philippines, since it is intolerable
TO think Of returning them to the
cruelty and mercilessness of Spanish
domination.
Senator Edmunds objects to retention
of the islands, but is silent and presents
no alternative in answer to the ques-
ton Of the Times" What shall be
done with them?' Return them to
Spain? Obviously mol Turn them over
TO some other Power? To which? Give |
them over to the people there Of various |
tribes, bloods and loves and hates to |
form a stable government? They are |
incapable of that as yet. I'VE cannot |
withdraw except we leave a stable gov |
ernment, a responsible government" |
declares the Times" and we would |
add, one that can maintain itself |
against the encroachments of the en-
vious, and able 70 repel robber nations. |
But the Times" adds:
The Times" sees quite clearly that |
we must do something with the Philip |
pines, and it is greatly disappointed |
that nobody has as yet come forward /
with an honorable and satisfactory al |
Tentative to annexation.
In other words. these intelligences, in |
common with millions of other Amer- |