New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-25
THE RESULTS OF THE WAR.
FREDERICK W. SEWARD SAYS THE "DIF.
FICCLTIES' OF NEW POSSESSIONS
AMERICA WILL FIND EASY
TO sURMOUNT.


To the Editor of The Tribune
sir; Senior Sagasta is quoted as saying that
in losing Cuba and the Philippines Spain hes
bequeathed u America difficulties which she
has found insurmountsble." Very true. Spain
has been doing that for long time But the
difficulties that Spain finds .nsurmountable are
found by America quite easy TO surmount We
have surmounted them in Louisiana in Florida.
in California. and in all the old Spanish pos
sessions in our West
When We began our existence as a nation we
undertook task OF the gravest importance
not only to ourselves but 10 all mankind We
undertook 70 demonstrate that self government
was the wisest and best form Of government
Naturally enough. therefore there have come
TO us, as our Inheritance from the Old World
all the problems Of politics and government
that for aees have perplexed its sages and
statesmen 1t seemed t. be our National des-
tiny and duty 20 solve. in the New World the
questions given up in despair by the Old
But there are two classes Of theorists who
seem to dread and distrust our powers Both
believe themselves actuated by praiseworthy
motives. But both persist in looking at Ameri-
can affairs through European spectaces one
is the class OF highly educated critics who can
see no difference between the growth OF the
American Republic and the growth OF European
empire. The other is the more ignorant class
who would GEEK 70 turn against free govern
ment here their inherited antipathies 10 despotic
government in Europe. Neither class fully COM
prehends the character Of the government: IT
lives under
The mass Of the people are wiser. They know
that not "imperialists" nor conquer
crs," nor "subJuGators' Of PROSTATE nations
that We are not seeking for tributary colonies"
and subject races" They know that we are
taking no new departure and entering on no
new policy. We continuing 70 do what
have been doing for over a hundred years We
are lifting UP. one after another communities
which We found plunged in ignorance or bar
barism. We begin by keeping the peace among
their inhabitants. We prevent them from pill
Laying and numbering each other. We ncul-
cate the principles Of law and order, and give
instruction in their practice. SO we gradually
educate them at last 10 become self-gOVernirg
republics When they reach that stage. It Is
not strange that most OF them should want 10
join the other thirty or forty self-governing re-
publcs that make up our self-governing Ma
tIonal Union
That Is what We have been doing with all our
Territories and what we shall now proceed 70
do with Porto Rico Cuba and much Of the
Philippines as we decide to take charge OF. The
Porto Ricans are quite ready 10 begin the
work with us az once The Cubans may prefer
10 try self government alone. instead Of self
government with us-if so. they Will have ample
opportunity to choose by free election The
Filiplnas are st In the rudimentary stage Of
political education but they Will doubtless
learn.
Time takes no step backward Neither does
the growth Of the American Republic. 1t must
"go marching on" We cannot II We would 20
back TO the "statu quo ante-bellum."
FREDERICK ". SEWARD.
New-York Aug. %. 1S9s.