The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-12-09
THE PHILIPPINE PROBLEM.

nothing new or interesting unless it is
the following: Il have every reason tc
believe, and l still believe, that this
transfer OF sovereignty from Spain to
| the United States was in accordance
with the wishes and the aspirations OF
the great mass OF the Filipino people,
The fact is that the Filipino people and
their representatives were not consulted
on the matter at all by the Mckinley
peace commissioners, and the fact that
they have disputed the authority OF the
United States on the battle6elds OF the
islands is proof positive that the trans
fer OF sovereignty was not in accord
ance with their wishes or aspirations
Ii that were the case there would have
been no need OF sending 10000 troops
to suppress the war for independence.
When Mr.. Mckinley makes such a
statement to the congress OF the United
States he must think the representatives
OF the people therein assembled are a
pack OF fools or knaves. He has failed
to give any satisfactory reasons for hold
ing the Philippine Islands and govern
ing them against the consent of the in
habitants who dispute his claim that
they are ours by every title OF law and
equity He does not recommend any
form Of government for the islands, but
says that when peace is restored lit will
be the duty OF congress to construct a
plan OF government which shall establish
and maintain freedom and order and
peace in the Philippines" OF course,
he expects congress TO frame colonial
government for them on the British
plan. But the people will have some
thing to say, and that very cmphatically,
in due time. One OF the people, Hon.
S. M. Owen, OF this city, does not favor
the retention OF the Philippines, and has
the following to say on the imperialistic
scheme of the administration:
| object to the acquisition OF remote
and populous territory upon what l
deem the broadest and most patriotic
grounds. This nation is expanding in a
proper and perfectly legitimate manner,
with a rapidity vastly beyond that Of
any other nation on earth. 1t is now
estimated that our population is above
7o,5oo,ooo, an increase of 100000 in
nine years. Compared with this all
other nations are at standstill. This
condition should admonish us that we
should have public policy unlike that
OF other nations, and not be trailers
after them. This country is the most
sparsely settled OF all civilized lands, yet
no other one even Immediately ap-
proaches it in ability to support popu-
latlon, ii its resources are properly uti-
lized and its affairs wisely ordered. If
all the people in the world were settled
in the United States OF North America
exclusive Of Alaska, they would contain
less population to the square mile than
Belgium contains; yet Belgium without
colonies, without a navy, is prosperous
country. and its affairs are so ordered
in the interest OF the common people
that, in spite OF the amazing density of
its population its immigration is larger
than its emigration, more people NOV
ing into it for permanent settlement
than are moving out. This at least sug-
gests what magnificent opportunity we
have for an expansion along natural
lines that will prove profitable to our
selves and helpful to the world. Ii the
United States contained half the present
population OF the world they would be
much less densely settled than the CHIEF
countries OF Europe or many other
lands. Yet none OF them are so capable
OF supporting dense population as this
one. II we really do need more territory
then it must be confessed that our do
mcstic affairs are most vilely admins
tered, and we would better correct them
before we begin to administer the affairs
of other lands and peoples in remote
portions OF the globe.
And this brings me to the patriotism,
it you please, OF my position. The
United States OF America is now in the
midst OF an experiment-for it is yet in
the experimental stage-in human gov
ernment heretofore unknown or unat-
tempted. We now number 76,5oo, 900,
are rapidly approaching the 1oo, 900 900
mark, and no likelihood OF stopping
short unless we are criminally inefficient
in conducting the government; and all
OF this vast horde OF people living TN
der a popular or free government,
where the man is theoretically the ruler.
To maintain such a government under
such circumstances an undertaking in
statecraft that finds no parallel in history,
and to make the undertaking successful
ought to satisfy the most vaulting am
bition OF any political party or admins
tration, and will, in my humble opinion,
come nearer executing the will of God
than soldiers, battleships and conquest
ever will.
A mighty nation OF free and intelli-
gent people, among whom there are
equal rights for all; where special priv
ilcgcs are unknown; where Justice is in