New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-06
Schohtld Normal and Industrial School.
Aiken. S. c.. Dec. !. 1895
THE PROBLEM OF THE PHILIPPINES

ONLY ONE OPINION NOW AMONG REPUBLICANS
As TO 7HE NEED or KEEPING THEM.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: You have done great and enduring good hy
your articles advocating peace and goodwill be-
tween all peoples whether at home or abroad
The spirit 81 confidence and respect now prevailing
between this country and Great Britain is owing
largely TO your work aided at times by other IN
fuential papers IN this city and throughout the
land. Much credit Is also due 10 the labors OF the
excellent men who have represented this country
abroad. notably our ambassadors TO Great Britain.
AS FOR our President have heard Il stated over
and over again. with no one disputng the fact
that no ruler in the world could have acquitted
himself moro wisely and ably than he has done in
his high Office. TIE immortal Lincoln himself
would not be expected to DO better. One OF your
neiGhbors seems to think that the majority Of Re
publicans about Boston and In some more scattered
districts East disapprove c: holding the Philippine
Islands. think before the election the opinion was
that the majority OF Republicans disapproved Of
holding them; now that idea Is abandoned The
prevailing opinion. might almost say the uni
versal opinion among the people OF this country Is
that Il would he better to pay high price for the
Islands or fight Spain over again, and any allies
she may get. rather than give them up.
Britannia scken. C.1tra at thy mama
The people of this country would actually slcken
al the thought OF leaving egh, millions OF people
whom Providence has gwen into their hands in
oppression. All the letters or editorials tina. can
be written about imperialism" expansion" de
parting from the ways ~ the fathers" and The
difficulties OF ruling distant colonies" will not
ChdNSe public opinion the question. a FAM
ily love Will ont all the toward the mem
Dtr ina Is IN a distant land and suffering oppres-
sion. The Christian Church is sending as Christ
commanded. INTO all the world to preach the Gospel
20 'NctH creature. can great Nation Ike this
blessed for many generations past with n good and
wise government. be Indifferent abou; the way
olncrs are governed? There seems TO be a Cenei al
9esaIe ana eXIeciancy among good men IN other
lands 10 see this country enter a whole hearted
career OF bencNOlcnce and mercy toward all the
oppressed people this way with Spain has put into
Their hands. The Government az the United States
10 extend its influence TO Asia Africa. Poyn ,sia
or Australasia provided there IS an opening 70. II
TO do
IN 1891 Great Britain governed 22 100 OOO OF people
IN India. with @,2 British officers and soldiers and
Iio,l naiNr troops. at the ratio * would re-
Qulre "tti American officers and soldiers and > 22S
trained .ND soldiers 10 govern the sOO0O00 peo-
lle in '' Philippine Islands. The cost to the
100 'N- ~ India Of this rule was just 40 cents
head. nd surely there never was better invest
ms army ling out the thousand wars OF old" and
ring IN the thousand years OF peace?
Whether President Mckinley wants 657 men or
Hoc) mon 10 establish and maintain order in the
And there is a general expectation and confidence
that he will appoint capable am wise rulers
in al those newly acquired p-dsinces and that the
benencent change in the condition OF their people
viii be so marked and rapid that soon those dis
tinguished citizens who have been for weeks almost
distracted and in tears because Il the disasters
they thought were coming the country will he
singing loud hosannas Of thankfulness. because
when they expected disaster and darkness only
prosperity and light came FAIR PLAY.