The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-01-20

American people VII not now withhols
independence from those who desire 10
elsewhere.
says Ftifptnos Can Govern.
we are told that the Fflipinos are not
capable OF seif-government. that has a IA
miliar ring Only two years ago / heard
the same argument made against a very
respectable minority OF the people OF this
country. The money loauers who coerced
borrowers did u upon that theory: the en-
ployers who coerced their employees did Il
for the same reason. Self-goyernment in
creases with participation in government.
The Fiiipinos are not far enough advanced
10 share IN the government OF the people
~ the United States. but they are COM
peteni 10 govern themselves. II Is not fair
20 compare them with our own citizens. be-
cause the American people have been edu-
eating themselves m the science OF govern
ment Tor nearly three centuries and while
We have much 10 learn We have already
made great Improvement The Fillpinos
vii not establish a perfect government,
but they will establish a government as
nearly perfect they are competent 10
enjoy. and the United States can protect
them from molestation from without.
The republicans % Illinois. Of course.
will not expect the FIinnos 10 secure
a legislature equal 70 the last repub-
lean legislature in fidelity 10 the public
welfare. Illinois became state nearly
century ago. and the legislature which
enacted the Allen law was "a : II were the
ripened fruit OF long experience Give the
Filipinos time and opportunity. and while
they never Will catch Up with US unless
cease TO improve. yet they may some day
stand where We stand now.
What excuse can be- given for the adop-
tion OF colonial policy? Secretary Gage
disclosed the secret in his savannah
speech ] think We might be justified In
calling Mr. Gage the keyhole OF the adj
uinistra tior. because we look through him
20 learn what Is going on IN the executive
council chamber. He suggested that phi
ianthrOpy and five per cent would 70 hand
in hand in the new venture. These are
the two arguments which are always used
I'm favor OF conquest. The one chloroforms
the conscience OF the conqueror and the
other picks the pockets ofthe conquered
Denounces Expansion.
Some say that philanthropy demands
that we govern the Filipinos for their
own good. while others assert that We
must hold the islands because OF the Pc
cuniary profit 70 be derived from them.
deny the sounfness OF both argumo hts.
Forcibie annexation will not only be Grim
inal aggression ito borrow Mr McKiniey's
own language q a year aEol but X will
cost more than IL is worth. and the whole
people Will pay the cost while a few will
reap all the benefits
''siill weaker is the argument based
upon religious DUTY The christian re-
iigion rests upon the doctrine OF the
vicarious suffering and atonement: the
colonial party rests upon the doctrine of
VicariOus enjoyment.
When the desire to steal becomes un-
conirollable in an Individual he is declared
10 be kleptomaniac and f. sent TO an
asylum. when the desire TO grab land
becomes uncomfortable IN a nation we are
told that the currents OF destiny are fio.s-
ing through the hearts OF men, and that
the American people are entering upon
their manifest mission
shame upon logic which locks up the
petty offender and enthrones grand lar
ceny. Have the people returned 10 the
worship Of the golden calf Have they
made unto the nseves a new command
ment consistent with the spirit OF conquest
and the lust for empire? Is Thou shalt
not steal upon a small. scale TO be substi-
tuted for the law OF Mosesg
Awake. ancient LawGiver. awake.
Break forth from thine unmarked sepul-
cher and speed thee back to the cloud
crowned summit of Mount Sinai: commune
once more with the God OF our fathers.
and proclaim again the words engraven
upon the tables of stone-the law that was.
the law that is to-day-the law that Meth
er individual nor nation can violate with
impunity.