The record-union., 1898-06-19

then breaking out fiercely. Therefore,
| it is urged, we cannot govern these
people. contribute to their betterment.
or hope to lift them to our level or dis
pose of the powerful influence the Chi
nese exercise among them.
All this is pessimistic. None of the
| Filipinos are as warlike as We're the
aboriginal tribes of North America.
They are none of them devoid wholly
of ideas concerning civilization of some
order. They have been in contact in
some degree with Spanish and German
civilizing methods. They have some
knowledge of modern warfare and it's
possibilities. Their demand for repre-
sentation in legislative bodies shows
that they have some democratic ideas.
They are conscious of their right to be
free from Spanish tyranny, over-taxa-
tion and merciless persecution.
They revolt against being ridden by a
priesthood, and have very clear con-
ceptions of freedom of conscience and
expression of religious belief. We ap-
| prehend that no nation on earth is het-
ter adapted by it's governmental system,
it's ideas of personal liberty and lawful
restraint, and its broad tolerance to
deal with these natives of the islands
wisely, justly and successfully.
Such treatment will win them to us,
promote betterments in their interests
and convert a land where turmoil. ty-
ranny, revolt, oppression and intoler-
ance have prevailed into one Of peace,
industry and prosperity. To the Eu-
ropean such task may seem hopeless.
except through conquest and bloodshed,
but to the genius of America it is not
difficult, though by no means devoid Of
gravity.
We have clear perception of the re-
sponsibilities that are involved, but
these do not at all lower the horizon
that is. now opening before us. We are
of those who believe that the opportun-
ity presented to US at this juncture is
not mere chance happening. 1t is an
event in the direct line of destiny and
duty. We are impelled by inherent
| forces, as all other nations have been,
| to such acquisition in the Philippines
as will work for our own and the good
Of the Fihpinos.
| A successful national career demands
constant expansion equally with sue
cessful individual career. The progress
| of civilization pushes irresistibly
toward the aggregation Of populations
into fewer national systems, and this
movement toward the Philippines is in
line with that trend There is not a ma
| ton or country on the globe that cam
not show it's little remnant of an abor-
riginal race. The present population
of the Philippines eliminated very
! inferior race of men, but about 25, 900
Of whom remain in one community,
sort of reservation, in the north part
of the island of Luzon.
The Aztec and Toltec went down be-
fore the degree Of civilization possessed
| by Spain. The North American In
dan, as a savage, was eliminated by the
ploughshare and the pruning hook. The
| inheritance of the earth is given over
| to the strongest and the fittest, not
alone for their good, but for that Of the
weaker and less Intelligent. 1t is not
accomplished by force of arms. Arms
are but incidental instrument. The re-
suit is brought about by the inherent,
all-absorbing force of civilized aspira-
tions.
| Let us borrow nothing from our fears,
but prudence from our wisdom. The
control and uplifting Of the Philippines.
| is given US as our task, and we have
no reason to draw from our history or
| that of any other progressive nation,
doubt of our ability, or reason for
| avoidance of our duty. If a people
possessed of higher civilized efficiency
| than our own should come into compe-
tition with US, we would go down before
them, by the same law which relegated
the spinning wheel to the lumber room
or displaced the sickle with the har-
vester. These underlying forces men
do not control. We are instruments to
them. We cannot swerve them or
avoid them. We will do our full duty
if the Philippines are given into our
hands to administer, and it will be
done with perfect trust in our ability
and in the justice that impels US to it.
1