The record-union., 1898-12-15
PRESENT DAY THOUGHTS.
BY G. Grosvenor Dave


the part of the colored people towards
tnose who were their owners. 1t is only
exphcable by remembering that de-
pendent race is always quick to recog-
hlze and to be grateful for even
shadow of kindness, thoughtfulness
and fair dealing. But if cruelty had been
the rule instead of the exception in the
southern States, the slave question
would have been solved in such slaugh-
terings Of whites that Northern lives
would probably have been laid down in
repressing the negro instead Of in free
Ing him. Overlooking the inherent
wrong of owning human chattels in a
day and a country of freedom. the rec
ords Of colored faithfulness are written
In history and in hearts because a
large proportion of the Southern gentry
undid the wrong by doing right as far
as their ability and the social customs
OF their neighbors would permit.
The temptation before the writer is.
because Of its timeliness to carry the
above thought further and endeavor TO
explain why the negro is a greater prob
lem than ever. But that question IS
somewhat apart from the one intended
Tor your consideration. The content
ment Of the old-tme negro is merely a
starting point for further remarks re-
garding ou future Government of the
Philippines
I dare to predict that we shall not fad
It difficult to govern the dark races that
have come under our protection in these
distant isles. This cheering thought is
uttered, however. with some mental re-
servations that it may be well to set
forth.
We must in all cases choose with the
most scrupulous care the men who will
govern them. Every Government official
in these islands of the sea will be a
maker of history. If he should be cruel,
arbitrary or forgetful that the rights of
the dark races in these new possessions
ante-date ours by hundreds Of years,
the history he will make will be shama-
full reading; for it will tell of strong
race, brutal because of its strength,
once more supplanting and destroying
a weaker race for the sake of land.
We must have as Judges broad mind
ed men who will be quick to recognize
in the crimes and disputes and pleas Of
these new members of our great fam
lily. the influence Of previous habits Of
thought and Of previous standards of
morals; and who by thus dealing gent
~ with prejudices and the passionate
impulses of untamed natures will make
the new law and the new order seem
things of worth, instead of mediums for
further persecution.
Bearing in mind their original own
ership of the land, every acre now be-
longing to the natives of these islands
must be so recorded and its sale and
transference so rigidly held under the
supervision of honest Government Off
cials that the simple owners shall not
become the prey of rapaciOus land
grabbers who even in this day would be
glad to repeat our own old-time frauds
when good land was bartered to US for
very bad whisky. Every man who is
defrauded will be a center of disaffec-
ton, and cause more trouble and eX-
pense than the most elaborate system
of land-recording.
We must not only think of these ter
ritories as means of extending trade,
e. but we must remember that we are set
as a nation for an increase of human
happiness by means of good govern
ment. If we fail in producing the hap
piness Of the individual, we fail in the
most important function of progressive
rule.
In short if we leave out heart-lines in
the readings of the palm of the future
our actions will be biased and our end
q possible calamity. Give these depend
ent ones after centuries of oppression
and heartless repression, a right to fair
just, generous treatment and they will
give US no trouble. A great sigh o.
content will go up from their over
burdened shoulders when they find that
q change of rules means the equivalent
of a change from the darkness of des-
pair to the dawn of hope. But if we
forget our duty. rebellions here nn6
there and discomfort everywhere, will
keep us in a turmoil of anxiety and
beyond all that. prove US incapable any
more of adjusting ourselves to new con-
ditions.
One of the most frequent questions
with which some of us are perplexed is
that concerning ''the consent of the
governed" If that consent is to be
learned by an actual intelligent vote
fifty years from now will be none toe
soon to look for it. But if the consent
of the governed" can be learned b!
some means other than a vote, siH
months of proper administration vii
show whether we have that consent ol
not. To make this point absolutely
clear, let me refer to home conditions
In the United States the vast majority
of the inhabitants never express theil
desires al the ballot box. Their ''con.
sent" is known by the quetude Will
which they go about their daily tasks
and the contentment with which they
regard life as it is lived on American
soil
Another urgent point brought for
ward by Andrew Carnegie and other!
is that a colonial Government must by
its very nature be contrary to the spir
It of the American republic. It must b;
borne in mind that if this be so, theI
America is untrue to itself every time
1t adjusts itself to new conditions. Ye
we have here at least four forms o
government. and no one has hithert,
complained. If my readers will TAX
the time to investigate, they will fint
that Alaska is differently governed from
Indian Territory, that both of these ar
unlike the District of Columbia (wher
residents of repute are deliberately dis
franchised); and all three of these al
unlike any of the sisterhood of States
So many questions are being hurle'
back and forth, that surely 1t can d
but little harm to project another int
the noisy arena of public dispute. /