The times., 1899-04-06
Our PhiIinpIne RuIe.

What a dishonest thing it is for the alb
surd anti-expansionists to say that we give
to the people of the Philippines everything
but liberty. The inhabitants of the archi-
pelago will enjoy the same dsgrae of per-
sonal liberty that the American citizen
does. II is true he does not vote in the
elections TO determine the President who
shall administer the general affairs of the
islands through the officials he appoints
and is not represented in Congress, bat
practically is that hardship that ca Is
for remedy in the case of people who have
never known the meaning of liberty? Is
not the Government chosen by majority
of the American people good enough for
them? 1t has 10 be for the people of the
District of Columbia, who have no political
I voice whatever in national affairs, and
who are without the hope of even the
measure OF local self government promised
10 our colonies, when they shall become
| fitted for it. In the light of the history
of the Philippines and the sure effects of
Philippine independence, the criticism OF
the American policy is worse than ridicu-
ious-it is wicked.
! Here is a very mixed people of all the
coIors that are possible to the human race
black and yellow and white" though
not very white-of all degrees of intelll-
gence, though for the most part densely
/ ignorant and without the benefit of the
most primitive schooling; a people the
! great majority of whom are unskilled la
1 borers and indolent beyond the imaglna-
/ tion of thrifty Americans; vicious because
Of the oppressive government under which
I industry and thrift and virtue were taxed
! beyond endurance. They were born the
colonial subjects OF Spain. which means
the woEst thing that could allict race;
they grew up in the midst of open and OBJ
trusive official corruption and therefore
without an idea OF public or personal
honesty. Might was the title to every
thing. How could such a people-the
masses Of them, We mean-have any no
/ tion Of honest and efficient government and
hOw could they be expected to show any
capacity for self-government? To suggest
! it is lunacy.
! BY the accident of war this people is
freed from the rule of the oppressor and
! the islands pass under the sovereignty of
/ the great American Republic, which guar
antees TO the world the establishment Of
/ good order and a stable government there
under the principles that are the founda-
( tion OF our own institutions. But owing
I TO their ignorance the people are deluded
into accepting the dictatorship of a native
/ adyenurer, because they believe the Amer
leans mean TO enslaye them and to be more
! oppressive than the Spaniards They are
so easily duped that although they must
/ know what Aguinaldo's kingship means.
I they prefer it to the dreadful tyranny of
I the Americans. as one prefers a known
/ evil 10 an unknown danger. So much for
I their intellectual state. independence
would mean the eFGwning of a selfish ad-
yenturer who once betrayed his people for
( Spanish gold. and then the rivalry of other
ambitious rascals for the throne. massa-
cres, arson, assassination. instructions.
and at last an interposition Of the civil
lied powers and the acquisition ot the
archipelago by European monarchy for
the benefit OF mankind
What they will actually have under the
sovereign power OF this country the proc
! lamation OF the Philippine Commission
tells. Justice. peace, security OF life and
property, the utmost degr-e of rersonal lib-
orty possible to man-lfe, liberty. aud the
pursuit Of happiness. No arbitrary king
holding his throne by the power of the
sword, as Aguinaldo holds his authority
at this moment. but the rule ot those
who have been chosen by a majority of the
American people TO rule themselves, I'M
| der the restraints and limitations OF law.
! Every dollar raised by taxation or other
wise to be expended for the benefit of the
Philippines, thing hitherto unknown: