The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-12
The Mastery of New Occasions.


treaty. chose the easiest. quickest and
only logical way out of the situation
created by Dewey's epoch-marking VIC
tory at Manila is really doubted by
few, yet his convincing statement of
the reasons for this belief merits our
closest attention.
What alternative" he asks, "was
back to Spain would have reopened
bloody revolution and shocked man
kind, No opponent of the treaty or Of
expansion has been brave enough TO
propose such action. To turn them
over to any other power would have
invoked Jealous protest and precipitat-
ed conflict among great rival nations
besides exceeding any possible right
or warrant on our part. To hand them
over to the Filipinos would have been
to unchain the forces of anarchy and
open the door to the strongest mailed
them on their feet, we must hold them
until they can walk. To divide SOW
ereignty, to keep a part Of the group
and recognize another authority over
the rest, would have been to lift the
lid of Pandora's box Of continuous dis
putes and evils. These wore the only
possible alternatives to the course
whicl: was adopted and not one Of them
was admissible Who ventures to ad-
vOcate any Of them? There are able
men who question the treaty and op-
pose expansion. but where Is the critic
or the objector who offers any other
distinct and definite not to say reasor-
able and tenable, solution of the prob
lem we had before us? Any other
plan of settlement would have led to
far greater difficulties. Any other
would have sown the seeds and in
volved the risks of foreign complica-
tions. whereas now the issues are
wholly in our own hands. The one
immediate thing TO do is to accept the
treaty and let it everywhere be un-
derstoOd that we propose to determine
for ourselves the territorial and gov
ernmental questions that are involved
and then, after We have closed the
books with Spain, after we have eX-
ercised our prerogative and fulfilled
our duty as victor, il there are ques-
tions as to the future disposition and
government Of the territory acquired
We can decide among ourselves what
our policy and action shall be, and
| not present the unpatriotic spectacle of
divided front when we are dealing
with other nations"
Turning to the broader question
| of expansion as q necessary part Of our
| foreign policy N Smith was equally
| happy in his opinions and in his ver-
| bal presentation OF them. mo thought
| ful and considerate man." says he, "wil
be blind to the greatness and serious
ness Of the task we have undertaken
| But while there are difficulties which
the most resolute teachers OF Ameri.
| can responsibility are quickest to re.
| cOgnize and appreciate. many of the
| objections conjured up are, indeed
| imaginary. For instanc,, it is con.
tended that thr constitution permits
| the acquisition o territory only wher
| it is designed for statehood But tha
is not a difficulty Of the problem; 4
| is Il difficulty Of the arbitrary limita
| tion of the power which goes with dis
tinct nationality and where is the war
rant for that limitation? Again it Il
said that the American people are no
trained and qualified for the govern
ment of distant possessions. Blu
if we are to judge by practical eXhib
it's am" TrSu-.-, we might say that the!
ar not we'll tr ned for the government
of home cities: shall We, therefore
abandon the city and the problem o
city government? Still again, il is SAT-
ttat the methods Of our civil servic
are untitled to furnish the right ma
terial for the government and develop
ment of the new possessions. Thi
may be good reason for improving tn
civil service, but it is not good reaso,
for running away from a high dut
which has been laid upon us An
thus, as we subject the captious oh
jections to the search-light of truth
they melt away into mist"
1t was not argued by this spokesma,
of the administration that the task
devoid Of risks, responsibilities an
perils, but" said he, nothing coul
be more illogical than to say that ou
flag should not remain in the Philip
pines because their people are unfitte
to come under American control an
then to say that we ought not to un
dertake to control them because the
are entitled to self-government. Ho,
can they be untitled for American 1ul
ana Yet fitted to rule themselves?
| American rule remains, they will haV
practical self-gOvernment. Self-goy
ernment is the essence Of America
polity, but it does not always have tn
same form. 1t has one form in Penn
sylvania, another in New Mexico an
still another in Alaska. We are in tn
Philippines 1y destiny higher tina
human will; the responsibility there
ours and we cannot escape il if "
would; we are responsible to mankin
for order and security; we are boun
to fulfill that obligation; we are boun
to exercise a benignant care and swa,
and the form of government or sell
, government TO be established will L
a matter Of deliberation and exper
, ence, The wise ruler builds not mer,
; ~ for today, but for the future. III
, work Of the past has been industrii
construction; the work to come Is con
mercial expansion, Our productive ca
pacity already exceeds our own requir,
ments. Within twenty-five years "