New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-21
THE STATUS OF PORTO RICANS.

Certain men from Porto Rico present them
selves at Washington with the complaint that
they are without country, not Spanish sub
jects nor as yet recognized as citizens of the
United States, and they pray that full citizen
ship may be given them at once. But what
have they done to acquire privilege so price
less? What they want is share IN the gov
ernng Of the great Republic, but how have
they shown any qualifications for such SOW
ereignty? They have not cast off the Spanish
yoke by successful revolution, nor have they
even made as patient and selfsacriicing efforts
to that end as were made by the Cuban insur
gents Their escape from Spanish rule is a gift
from the United States. Their habits, experience
and training are exclusively in Spanish meth
DDS and laws, and In their ideas Of American
freedom there is no thought Of Its sacred duties
and grave responsibilities The protection
of the United States is theirs as a free gift,
and citizenship in every sense that entities them
TO protection. But they want equal access to
United States markets. freedom from burdens
for their own government and share in the
government of this country.
What have they done to deserve such bless
ings? Americans inherit citizenship from an
cestors who achieved their independence by
seven years Of suffering and sacrifice, who
were wise enough TO form a government and
heroic enough to fight for it, and had all
the patient patriotism to uphold 1t in spite
of diverse local interests and bitter disputes
among themselves. Americans inherit citizen
ship from four years Of heroic and victori-
Gus struggle TO preserve the Union against
secession. They have since spent thirty-four
years in making their Nation prosperous and
powerful. and have therein shown and acquired
q capacity for self-government which no other
nation has surpassed, II may be said with mod
esty. Thus earned by their ancestors and them
selves, Americans prize their citizenship above
all things. and are not eager to bestow equal
governing powers upon any one who has
neither their heritage nor their training. Their
liberalty IS marvellous, nevertheless for If the
Porto Rican chooses to settle In this country
to become component part Of a city or State,
to declare his intentions, to acquire fixed In
terest In the country as property-owner or wage
Garner, and to spend the time until naturaliza-
ton In becoming familiar with American in
stead Of Spanish laws and methods then the
priceless gift of citizenship is bestowed on him.
Why should 1t be If he prefers to retain the
surroundings, the customs, the speech and laws
and methods Of Spanish oppressors?
Full protection the Porto Rican has now. II
is better and more complete protection than any
governme mt OF his own framing could give him.
In his present relationship to the United States
he can claim anywhere on earth the defence
Of the flag, and no foreign foe will invade the
land where his property les because 1t is COW
cred by that flag. But United States citizen
ship for protection, and United States citizen
ship for voting and sharing the government are
two different things. Generations ago French
and Spanish inhabitants of the great Louisiana
territory learned that fnct when they became
practically subjects Of the United States. pro-
tected by its armies, but not sharing in Its
government. The same distinction must be
learned by inhabitants OF the non-contiguous
property of the Union which Spain has sur
rendered. 1t Is the American policy to give
them ample defence, the best local government
possible, and therefore one 1t Is hoped, which
they may be able to help much In administer
ing, and institutions gradually modified to get
rid Of Spanish methods and substitute Ameri-
can freedom and justice But Il Is not the Amer
lean policy to request Inhabitants Of outlying