The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1899-10-26
A Last Word.

A Last Word
ABOUT all there is to the Philippine
question at it's present status seems to
have been brought out. The question
of what this country should do with its
newly acquired responsibilities has
been discussed from beginning to end
and back again until all that there is
to be said on either side has been said
over and over again. Still our scr1bes
and our orators continue to write and
speak on the threadbare subject just as
if with every word they were giving
their fellow countrymen something
startling new. The most trenchant
editorial writer's write and write, but
when their pens have ceased their
scratching they have recorded nothing
but what has been ding-donged from
the beginning of the discussion. Like
wise our brilliant orators continue to
harangue and the printed page of their
haranguing reveals nothing new to the
consciousness of the reader. Never
the1ess the controversy will go on.
Notwithstanding the situation has
been canvassed until it's essential
points and principles are understood
by every school boy there are still
those authorities who cannot be
made to believe that any political
question can be comprehended in it's
entirety until they have had their say.
Many of these ''authorities have the
faculty of stating case in manner
to make, possibly, even themselves be
1ieve that it has never been stated be-
fore.
Carl Schurz, no doubt a man of
strong intellect, but 1oath to concede
more than a very moderate amount of
brains to the rest of the world, comes
out at this late stage with what he
perhaps regards as an enlightening
dissertation on the momentous ques-
ton wherein he rehashes, in his own
lucid style, ali the time honored argu-
nents of the anti-expansionist and ar
rives at the conclusion that the only
way out of the difficulty is for the gov
eminent of the United States to cease
hosti1ities with the Philippines at once
and settle upon a policy in regard to
those people. It might be admitted
right here that the conclusion reached
by Mr.. Schurz is quite new. There
may be good many anti-expansion-
lists throughout the length and breadth
of the land, but it is safe to say that
few of them would have suggested
such heroic measures as Mr.. Schurz
finds it possible to make. At present
the forces in the Philippines are en-
gagged in a struggle not looked after
nor desired by any in the United
States, but thrust upon them and the
government by the presumption and
ambition of Aguina1do. From that
struggle we cannot withdraw until a
conclusion has been reached by force
of arms. It is incredible that such a
suggestion should emanate from a
thoroughly patriotic American citizen,
as no one doubts MIR. SChurz to be, but
absolutely preposterous that it would
receive the support of even small
minority of the people of this country.
With all due respect to Mr., Schurz, we
cannot but think that IN this instance
he has erred. AS to the future policy
of this country in the Philippines,
there may be ground for anxiety on the
part of some who, like Mr.. Schurz,
dwell in an atmosphere of ideals, lest
the pure and simple principles of a Re
public be compromised, and it was
probably over intensity in mis- devotion
to worthy cause that led Mr.. Schurz
to make the statement or suggestion
that all must consider a bad b1nnder.