The Holly chieftain., 1898-07-22
FUTURE OF PHnrpprrEs.
spain's Total negieet 10 civiIisi.x
Then Must Ba Mate deed ~
the unitea mates,

spain's government ofthe Philippine
islands. if somewhat less brutal than
her rule in Cuba. has been as great
failure as civilizing agency. and Com
modore Dewey's victory merely has
tened the downfall Of system which
was already falling to pieces from
sheer rottenness. Indeed, the wonder
il not that rebellions should have been
so frequent, but that Spain should 80
long have kept her bold ON the turbu-
lent islanders. She made the initial
mistake OF never thoroughly conquer
ing the wild tribes she intended to rule.
OF the 1000 inhabitantA it is estimated
that over 1000, 900 have always main
tanned their independence. Instead of
completing her work ofconquest, Spain
contented herself with q quasi-sover-
eighty over Manila and Luzon, and used
the archipelago as basis for fantastic
attacks on Siam, China and Japan She
made further mistake in dividing her
authority between the church and
state, with the inevitable result Of
breeding conflicts and jeaIousies, and
destroying the possibility of strong,
central administration. She erred
again in permitting and even encourag-
ing the propagation of those wretched
outcnsts whose birth and position are
n pledge for rebellion and dissent--the
Spanish and Chinese half-breeds. But
the great secret Of her failure to colon
ize successfully lay in Jack of that
common, everyday patriotism that
makes a governing official look for no
reward beyond that of duty well per-
formed and salary honestly earned.
Under such government no de-
pendency could prosper, and it is safe
to say that of all the colonies subject
to European power the Philippines
Of late years have been the most back
ward, the least provided with roads,
railways, and other public works, and
the most turbulent. There is as much
work left for us to do there as though
the Spanish had never existed, and 1t
is just the kind Of work for which the
growth and orderly government of our
own land show that we are fitted. The
genius for colonization Is inherent in
our race, and more than equal even in
the difficult task OF governing the
Philippines. There is no use in under
estimating the greatness of the prob.
lem. To maintain order among 7,OOO.-
600 people 81 per cent. of whom are
pure native of the same character and
disposition as our southern negroes, &c
per cent. OF whom are Chinese or
Chinese half-breeds, and nearly three
per cent. Spaniards, creoles, and Span
ish half castles, is not an easy under
taking. But we have enough conf
aence in the energy and capacity Of
Americans to predict that under oul
government life and liberty will bt
safe, justice assured to all, commerce
.elieved of its shackles, roads and rail
ways built, and the richest archipelago
the world provided with an admins
tration worthy of it, fame and re
,ources.
The duty Of civilizing the Philippines
low that they have fallen into oul
,ands as c lawful prize OF war, is on,
that cannot be shirked with honor. T,
irive out the Spaniasds and then leav'
,he islanders to govern themselves, i
simply to hand the whole archipelago
over to barbarian. To part with then
TO another power by way Of sale or ex
shange is to confess our inability Il
told what we have won. Every reason
humanity and national dignitypoint
to the necessity OF their retention il
sur hands. Nor are the arguments o
business interests less convincing. w
! have large and increasing stake ii
the future development of China tina
necessitates some provision for th'
proper protection OF our merchants
The splendid position of Manila viii
be a safeguard against foreign en-
croachments of whatever kind. Wher
the question Of keeping the Philippine
comes up before congress we are con
fident that the craftsmanship of oul
representatives will moi be found want
fpn-N " Cur ' l5Ag-aqis