The record-union., 1899-01-15

ON in civilized customs and ethics. The
barbarians are chiefly the interior and
hill people, whom we have no reason
to fear will pun us down to their level,
and who are friendly and tractable and
have thus far favored us much. Spain
got along with them some 400 years,
and they have been by no means a
burden of expense to that nation
Now, it is a truism that as tastes
rise, desires grow stronger. American
products, inventions and results Of en-
terprise in the Philippines under the
fostering protection Of liberation, per-
sonal liberty and humane control will
the islands and quicken activity to sat-
isfy them. Thus by mere contact with
our system, we may expect the people
of the Philippines in the main to be-
to be stirred into in
dustry that will develop the resources
of the islands, as yet not one-fifth
opened up. Let us grant with Mr..
classes are indolent, and that enforce
ment of industry may be necessary.
That will probably be done; under gov
ernment direct from Congress, it is un-
likely that lazy dependents will be toll
Grated. The result ought to be the
same, whether acquisitiveness or en-
forcement of habits of industry move
these people to activity, they will ac-
quire tastes and desires for better
things, better methods of living, more
of the comforts and toil-saving devices
of civilization, and these we will sup
ply.
Does any one suppose for a moment
that the fail will remain and the
threshing machine not go in? Are
we to fancy that under American con-
troll stubby ponies will forever draw
bone racking bobtail street cars slowly
over single track lines, with drivers
careless whether one mounts or leaves
the contrivance? Is it thinkable that
a single short line of railway in Luzon
will remain the only means of speedy
of products and passen-
gers? Does any one think for a mo-
ment that we will retain the Spanish
So tax on every wheel that turns. or
require a native to pay a tax for
every tree he grows or fells upon his
own property?
Will not relaxation of burdens and
tyranous and priestly exactions, and
the example of improved facilities for
better living and business accomplish
ment have their effect even upon a
semi-civilized people, and directly en-
large our trade with them? The Illus
trations we have used may not be the
happiest, but they will serve to sug-
gest to the ready mind full response to
Mr. Carnegie's dolorous plant.
AS to plunging our country into wars
by holding to that which all the world
comedies we have won fairly, and hold
title to by confirmation of the late un-
disputed owner or possessor, we ap-
prehend that the forecast is born Of
the fancy, even more than of the fear,
and is advanced as are spook stories
to frighten timid children into early
retiring.
Not, we concede a logical way of
disposing of an objection to acquisi-
ton; but mark this, it has precisely
as firm foundation, and is backed by
as much of reason as the asserted OBJ
lection that the holding of the Philip
pines will keep us In war-a purely
dogmatic statement.
However, all this is speculative. Mr..
Carnegie has already lost one adherent,
for Professor Gunton has recanted, and
now says that we have gone too far
to retreat from ratification of the
treaty, and that We must hold the Phil
ippines for the wisest purpose the fu-
ture may develop. Besides, the anti
expansionists may discover that so far
as possession of the Philippines is con-
cerned, they have borrowed fear too
soon; that the Administration policy
may be, as We suspect it is, not to hold
the Philippines as conquered territory,
nor as Federal possession permanent
~, but, rather, to hold the islands for
the purpose Of founding "a stable gov
ernment and committing it to native
control the moment capacity to assume
such a responsibility is manifest.