The record-union., 1898-07-09
ONE OF FIVE THINGS NEWT
ABLE.

Mr.. Cleveland said in his recent ad-
dress that foreign conquest and I'M
natural annexation are dangerous per-
versions of our national mission Very
true. But what is our national mis-
sion? What is meant by our national
mission? Who is gifted with the
prophetic power to define what shall be
it's bounds inrthe time to come? We be-
lieveewe know what it is i'm the pres
ent, but the bold man has not yet de-
veloped who dares to say what national
evolution will lead to legiaimately, nat
urally and inevitably
No, Mr.. Cleveland, the American peo-
pie should not pursue a conquesting
course. To that all highly enlightened
patriots are opposed. Nor do they seek
unnatural annexation. No thinking
man wants this nation to unnaturally
annex. But the statement of the prop
osdtion carries with it the doctrine Of
natural annexation. To that extent
then We ought to go. But who shall
measure its metes and bounds?
Foreign conquest we are not engaged
In. We are, however, engaged in Sc
curing compensation for the enormous
cost Spain has put us to by reason Of
her refusal to do justice to the rights
OF Cubans. If justification for intelfer-
ence in Cuban affairs is ON sound foot
ing, then lit logically follows that We are
not conquesting. but simply judging
and furnishing, when we take the hand
of the same tyrant and rnaladministra-
tor from the throat of all her colonies.
In truth the wrongs to the Filipinos
exceed in magnitude and i'm merciless-
ness those to the Cubans. We are not
dreaming of world -girdMng empire, but
we are saying that the fate of war has
thrown into the balances efficient, wise
and just government against tyranni-
cal, oppressive, cruel and unjust gov
e1nment in the Philippines, and we can
not with honor, if we would, reject the
trust What would Mr. Cleveland have
us do? Turn back the islands to the
ravishment and slavery of tax and
church by Spain and the dominating
III lilE vi WOuiu
he have us turn out the Spanish and
leave the warning classes in the islands
to cut each others throats? Or will it
be better to hold fast the kneading
trough and work with and control these
peoples whom Spain has had under her
heel these 220 years, until in the good
measure of time they are able to stand
alone; to understand us and our insti-
tutions, to see that we are friends. not
foes; that we are not robbers but sa-
viors; that We come not to despoil, but
to save and protect, and to guard these
aboriginal and mixed peoples from as
saults of the envious and covetous
without, and from discord and dissen-
sion from within?
One of five things we must do: Turn
tail and leave Spain to retake the ISL
ands, looking to some other quarter for
our recon1pense; turn over the posses
sdons to the warning insurgents, incap-
able as yet of self government or com
mon union to protect themselves from
seizure by the greedy Powers Of earth;
divide the islands among the nations;
or hold the group in our generous and
protecting grasp, i'm trust for the de-
velopment of their fullest possibilities
and the elevation and betterment of
the island people until they are able
to stand alone and when we will be
content to be regarded by them very
much as the Australians look upon
England, and as the Dominion of Can
ada regards Great Britain
There is a fifth and last plan under
which this Government may settle the
Philippine question satisfactorily, pos
sibly. TO the people. 1t was outlined in
yesterdays dispatches as being under
consideration by thoughtful minds. 1t
is felt that there is degree of danger
to our real progress in cultivating the
spirit of territorial acquisition too
broadly: that there is just now some
thing of a fever heat in the demand for
retention of the Philippines, but that
this will decline and conservative and
calm consideration take its place.
Hence, it is held that there is a fifth
course open to us, that 1T is urged
may be pursued with honor and safety
to ourselves, namely that the autono-
my of an independent government shall
be guaranteed in the Philippines and to
this guarantee the other Powers having
interests in the islands be invited to
assent. That the proposed independent
government shall remain under the pro-
tectorate of the United States for a
term Of years, or as long as may be
necessary, or even perpetually, the |
ports being declared free to the world, |
and that as long as it is needful to DO
SO the revenues of the country shall be
under the control Of the United States. |
to meet the sum of whatever indemnify |
may be settled upon at the conclusion
of the war
But no man can now say what Will |
be the ultimate policy Of this Govern
nient toward the Philippines. 1t Is pos
sdble that we may. under a protectorate.
foster a strong, satisfactory and inde-
pendent establishment by the people OF