The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-07

Editor of The Times
Sir Perhaps rc better Illustrations OF
msapplcatiOn or misrepresentation of
principles can be- found than some fur
nished by those who esp0use the cause
Of territorial expansion Here ] only dee
sire 90 call attention TO one
Evout0nists hold as a principle that
every effect is the result of causes and
conditions. and that We cannot affirm
that effects viii be alike unless The
causes and conditions are alike Expau-
sionists seeing the progress in ciNlli1a-
ton made by European races. infer that
through evolution .hc natives Of the
Philippine Islands and other tropical
races may be- gradually elevated into
intellectual and moral fitness for self
govcrnment-thus tacitly affirming that
like effects may be expected where the
conditions are unlike.
TO apply the principle they invoke core
rcctly they should. II they assume the
causes 90 be similar. contrast the condi-
lions. physical and climatic. at least. uu-
der which civilization has been proc
duced with the conditions under which
it has not been produced. Doing this it
would Doe well first TO notice
generally that some parts of the
earth surface are uninhabita5le.
that other parts admit of only
scant or dwarfed production. and that
comparatively q small part Of 10 is fav-
orable 60 high Developments that besides
the physical contrasts. there are varie-
ties OF characterised temperate and
t0rrid more potential still I'M determln-
ing results Making a more specific conn
parisOn 10 would be seen that high dee
gree OF civilization has only been pros
duced in certain parts OF the temperate
z0ne-that 10 has never been developed
in deserts. swamps, polar regions or un-
der or near the equator And as the
Philippine Islands lie within belt un-
productive Of civilization. it might ra-
tionaHv be inferred that no atiainable
education or training can ever TIT The
natives To a height OF civilization fitted
for self-government-that they 0weI 10
q zone in which the limitations 90 human
progress are too narrow for this Cone
ditons imposed on development oy the
Creator must be reckOned with by man
I'm his provisions and his greed for foreign
territory lie has no warrant for the
assumption that a degree OF clvihzanon
which fits man for self-governmcnt is
attainable. or unattainable When trans
planted. in the Philippine Islands.
II given a republican form or govern
ment bv this country and left free 10 can
lapse into monarchy, and as We Know
that rigid rule is the best for such peo-
pie. the change would not be one 90 be
regretted. since monarchy may save
them from themselves. and they may be
as happy under II as others are under
a higher form OF government
For forms Of government let fools con-
test.
That which Is best administered IS best"
While republic is the ideal form Of
government 30 is the best only for an
ideal people II remains 20 be determined
whether Americans are themselves suf-
ficiently developed to so administer their
government as 20 prove 1t tho best form
for them
OF an forms OF government an cleo
toral monarchy is perhaps the most un-
stable. yet our government is, In one OF
its features an elective monarchy.
Again. through immigration and enfran-
chisement Of the negro our standard Of
fitness for self-gOvernment has been low
cred. Our government is yet in rs in
fancy. until we get further evidence OF
its stability ana OF its suficency 20 best
promote the true ends Of government.
IL cannot but be hazardous 20 launch
our bark on an unknown sea, heset with
fog. beglrt With shoals of mlAtaryism.
foreign entanglements and high taxation.
Until that day all talk OF giving deui-
zens OF the tropics a stable republican
government seems presumpt0us ana Wis
ionary. indeed. 5. G. =.
Houston. Va, January 2 1899