Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1899-02-17
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY Il, 1899.
PARTICIPATION, Nor ANNEXATION"


The Chicago Times Herald, which aided
so greatly in the nomination and election
of Mr.. Mckinley, and is perhaps the
strongest administration paper in the
west, and whose leadership is unques-
toned, comes again to the front with the
following most timely editorial. We
think it will be decisive as to the policy
of the administration in regard to the
Philippines. 1t will at least be most
encouraging to the country, and all
Americans will be under lasting obliga-
ton to the paper for this great assistance
in guiding public opinion right at this
critical time:
Pacihcation looking to independence, not
subiugation preparatory to annexation,
should now be the American policy in the
Philippines
Such scenes of slaughter as attended the
repulse of the FilipinoS on our lines last sat
urday and sunday send a shudder of horror
and pity through the land. History may tell
us that civilization and progress have always
advanced through such charnel scenes TO the
salvation of saVages and for the good of man
kind.
But the people of the United states have
neither the blobd-thirst nor the land-hun-
ger that will tolerate war of conquest
whose battIe-hrlds are shambles and whose
victories are butcheries.
There is no glory in routing an army of
undi>ciplined semi savages, whose ranks are
recruited from fgorrotes bowmen, halfnaked
boys and women masquerading as soldiers.
The slaughter at Manila was necessary, but
ii was not gloIious. The entire American
nation iustihes the conCuct of its army at
fla ,Ix- ,,,fr f
the Filipinos could our position be made
secure. II will also sustain any steps that
may be necessary to make Manila invulner-
able to like assaults in the future.
But the conscience of the American people
will not tolerate the slaughter of the Filipinos
in war of conquest.
We do not seek their land. We do not want
to replace the yoke of spain with one beariu &
the more merciful and just label of the United
States of America
If we could we would order our army and
navy back from the Philippines, contenting
ourselves with such naval depot Is would
prevent our ever again being caught in the
dilemma which forced Dewey to take refuge
from Hongkong in the destruction of Monto-
jos fleet and the capture of Manila.
But today the peace of the Orient will not
permit our immediate retirement fir IN the
Philippines. We are the successors to Span.
ish sovereignty there, the guardians of the
islands from the rapacity of foreign nations
and in IA broad sense the trustees of civiliZa.
ton and peace throughout the islands
This is the White Mans Burden which
Dewey achieved for us. and which has been
thrust upon us by the impotent oppression of
Spain and the semi barbarous condition of
the Philippines.
The path of duty and national honor in the
Philippines is II narrow and perilous one.
We can see the end which should be the es
adjustment of an independent Philippine
republic. But the way to that end is involved
in doubt and difficulties which ought not to
prove insurmou atable.
We can only keep our conscience clear by
keeping the end always in view and working
toward IL with patience and honesty.
But we want no repettions of the battle of
Manila
Let the president proclaim the purpose of
the United States to be pacification with IA
view to the ultimate independence of the
islands. Let him summon the chieftains of
the principal sections of the country to
council to devise some system of home rule
until the Filipinos are able to assume all the
obligations of government.
Let him announce that we have no intention
OF annexing Asiatic territory and that the
pledge of congress as to Cuban Independence
will be the pledge of the American nation to
the Philippines.