The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-10-11

per cent. of the natives of Manila can read
and write.
Notwithstanding the oppression of Spain,
splendid colleges have existed III that city for
four hundred years-the chief Of which, it is
said, has five hundred students In It's class
rooms. And we are told that nually about
two hundred young men from the islands
complete their higher education in the great
The Tagalos. Of whom Aguinaldo ia the
leader, is the superior race and the most mum.
would take quickly to kind treatm ent, and ]
presume would make good citizens. But on
the Philippine islands there are many tribes
or divisions, few OF whom, outside the Taga-
los, are giving Aguinaldo their support. On
these islands there is no national govern
ment. The different governments Of the diff
ferent Islands are distinct and separate, each
tribe speaking different language. AS
a nation they have neither united exis.
tence nor a combined strength.
Manila In some respects may be said to be q
historic city. Founded four hundred years
ago, 1t has taken the lead OF all other cities
In the archipelago. 1t is the centre OF wealth,
education, culture and refinement in the
islands. And its importance as q shipping
and commercial harbor is acknowledged
The bay Of Manila is one OF the best harbors
In the world. 1t includes one hundred and
twenty miles Of circumference, and the bust.
ness In imports and exports is OF great value.
cause Of the love OF the Chinese for that city.
Although they have suffered great wrongs
and hardships In Manila. yet they look to 1t
as desirable place In which to live. From
been there, and they are there today, despite
heroic efforts 10 expel them.
At one time $4,000 OF their number were
massacred. Later on In the history OF the
city, 1t is said that 5000 OF them were slain,
and those who escaped death were banished.
THE WAY IN WHICH FIL1P1Nos SHOULD BE
TREATED.
We must show to the people of the Philip
pine islands the superior advantage Of Gov
ernment which developes true citizenship
and furnishes protection TO the citizen. and
their individual conditions In lie.
America treats all the people who live
under her flag as her own children, and, CIV
before the laws OF the nation, she would
inspire In their hearts the ambition 10 achieve
the higher and the greater attalnments.
Let the Filipinos be received on probation,
us, and when they have learned the superior.
ity OF our beneicent laws, they will be as
ready for assimilation. as were the people OF
other acquired territory.
upon whom we may levy tribute, but we
must accept them as members OF this Federal
Union, and give them az full protection as is
given to the citizens of South Carolina or
Massachusetts. Let them enter the great
family of States, and give them State Legis.
Iatures, State courts, and State officers. inclu.
ding seats in the Congress OF the United
dow them with all the rights and privileges
of American citizenship.
Instead Of fostering or entertaining feel.
ing of dislike for those people, we should
offer them the helping hand. Having been
oppressed by Spain for four hundred years In
a manner which exceeded the cruelty OF the
Egyptian task masters, 1t is not surprising II
they have not reached our highest standards
Of religion and civilization.
Under the blessing OF fostering govern
nent, the people who have 80 long suffered
from the Spanish system OF repression and
be as ready to fight for their real friends as
they are now bravely fighting against their
best interests.
EVIDENCES OF CIVILIZATION.
When our people are disposed to regard the
Filipinos as savages, or heather, 1t might not
be amiss for them to remember that In the
Philippine islands are to be found many col.
leges where the languages, the sciences and
the arts are taught. Public schools and pri-
vale schools abound. Railroads. telegraphs,
telephones and paved streets are there.
Churches Of magnificent proportions and
imposing architecture are seen in every city
while the commerce and shipping OF her
ports rival the business OF our own ports In
war they take prisoners and treat them much
after the manner In which they are treated
by the most civilized OF the nations.
Aguinaldo possesses elements OF greatness.
He has something OF the gentleness, the cour-
age and the soldiery bearing OF Lee. He has
something Of the dash. the bravery, and the
genius Of Jackson.
n nations civilization is judged by the
way In which IL treats prisoners Of war, what
shall we say Of the FllipiDos? II Is reported
In the newspapers. that our returned prison
ers from Aguinaldo's camp boast OF having
been on picnic.
Can this much be said by Southerners in
Northern prisons? Would Northern prison.
ers from Southern stockades say as much for
the South?
Compare Aguinaldo with Otis, If you will.
Otis, press suppressor of Manila, has charge
of the American troops, and reports OF MS
conduct attest his untitness for the exalted
position which he holds
The desecration OF Filipino temples and
the looting OF their churches shock the sensi-
bility OF decent people everywhere. Ihe vlo-
Iation Of Filipino women and the destruction
of the houses OF defenseless people. bring
reproach to the commander OF any army.
AS far as reports 20 the army under Otis
kills In battle great mum bers OF the tliiplnos,
and he gives the number OF dead bodies "by
actual count" emitting TO enumerate the
bodies Of those who escape.
A striking popularity about the war In the
1QlnpplDeb IL Tie aObeuCe vi CapbiNS hho ~
looks 10 me very much rs IL the American
soldiers take few or no prisoners, while Agui-
naldo takes all that he can lay hands on. He
takes good care OF them and returns them TO
the proper authorities. But what OF the
American General?
THE ISLANDS ABOVE A MONEY PRICE.
The Philippine islands are an empire In
themselves, and the millions of people who
iphabit them (estimated at between seven and
ten millionsi will be 81 tower of strength TO
this country. The naval, the commercial and
the productive value of these Islands In
money Is not to be estimated by thousands
OF millions of dollars. The twenty millions
which this country paid TO Spain was In no
way to be considered al the purchase value.
The United States in paying the twenty mil
lions only proposed TO refund TO Spain the
money which that country had spent on the
public works.
Some Idea of the magnitude of these Islands
may be had when we remember that the ter
ritory is three.and-a-half times as great as
that OF South Carolina. while the population
OF those islands Is eight times the population
of our own State.
The annexation of the Philippine islands
to the United States will be q great blessing
TO the Inhabitants of the archipelago and
America will find In the possession OF them
an Invaluable source OF strength, Instead OF
menance to us and q barrier In the way Of
our progress in the march Of nations.
CLIMATE AND PRODUCTIONS OF THE
ISLANDS.
It Is a little remark able that the islands,
were acquired by this country at the same
m ahn, ld have so nearly the same climate.