The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-01
CAMPAIGN OF EDUCATION NEEDED.

their position really ~. Were the United
States 10 surrender the Islands TO the natives.
come European power, probably Germany.
would soon swoop down upon them and,
though war among great powers might en-
sue. the independence Of the Philippines
would snrely disappear: Even were the ar.
the greet powers, tie islands would be torn
by dissent tiens. Some sixty distinct languages
are spok en here. and there are the liveliest
enmites between The various tribes. Out OF
nine million people, not more than a a-quarter
OF million can read and write Spanish, the
only Language OF Instruction practically
known TO them. The only government Which
they could set up would be an oligarcby, the
members Of which would be for the most part
Tagalos. This race. forming only about q
'Sixth OF the population. has most OF the edu
cation, not on account OF Its mental superiori-
ty, but because II happens to occupy the re-
gton about Manila. The other races are some
what Jealous OF the Tagalos and dislike them
as well op grounds of temperament.
The question OF peace or war depends to a
large extent on the character OF the Filipinos,
and that fact Introduces an absolutely uucer.
tain element. Even the Spauiards declare 1T
impossible TO understand the native chArac-
really true; for IT may be doubted whether
lhe native brain has yet developed to such q
extent as TO possess convictions peculiar TO
IL. Mepy people have tried to diagnose the
Philippine mind. I have gathered various at
tempLs OF this kind, and will Set down here
such q selection of them as seems to me TO
accord hest with my own observations
The Filipino is In some respect the very
opposite or the Chinaman, who seems to be
born grown up. The representative Tagalo
never reaches the stage Of development
which the Anglo-SaXons call maturity. The
man OF Is here has all the main traits OF a
boy Of sixteen In western countries. Advanc-
ing age does not improve the judgment OF the
Tagalo, but the reverse. There Is tendency
to irresponsiv en- ess and stupidity which usu-
ally maniiests Itself before he reaches 10 years.
fao Mi nj TQgaln infell1ct
plains OF Itself many things Which are nara
20 understand when 1t Is left out OF considera.
ton. The average Tasalo never attalns tne
grown men at home usually exhibit, but
which boys, uuless they are ,precocious, 40
not possess. They are easily affected by
temptation and by impulse, and often DO mol
iook ahead. A Tagalo servant will be honest
for years, and then run away with paltry
sum when he might have stolen considera'
bic amount. He has been overcome by the
desire for some luxury or dissipation. ana
sacri6ces everything to the immediate graft
dcation OF his Wish. 1t Is no wonder that IL is
impossible 10 know what such person VII
dc, Tor he does not know himself; but IL Is
safe 10 say that he cannot be trusted 10 resist
tenn mptation. and that he possesses little fxity
OF purpose.
RACE WITH BoYIsH TEMPER.
In his temper also the Tagalo is boyish.
have knoun a Tagalo 10 "get even" for some
erudge by splitting In his masters soup before
serving IT. OF course, there are many kinus
OF boys, and the postulate or lmmaturlly
thoueh necessary. is not sufficient TO the com
prehsnsion of the native character. The
Tagalo Is thIevish by fits and starts, but he Il
is not wholly without sense OF honor anS
responsibility. He can better be trusted with
$1,000 than with 81, and IT is said that when
he gives his word In sufficiently impressive
circumstances he will keep It, Nevertheless
An ordinary matters he seems TO be born
liar. and it is his instinct to approach any
staisment Indirectly, often seeming incapable
OF giving direct answer. II by brow-oeat
ING or otherwise his stubborn ness Is aroused
In the effort TO extract direct replies fron
him, this cam be overcome even by torture
He is subject to ungoverDable fits OF temper
and homicide is an excessively common
orine. Like other Malsys, he sometimes
nruns amuck."
on the other hand, the Tagalo has a keeI
sense Of justice. II he be punished 1or