New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-17
THE sultan OF sULU AS AN ISSUE.
EFFORTS OF THE DEMOCRATS TO MAKE
CAPITAL OUT OF GENERAL
BATESS ACTION
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

BATES ; ACTION.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: In the desperate attempt. as disclosed In
this mornings papers. being exhibited at
Washington by the Democratic leaders TO catch
at straws by way Of issues, one cannot but
he at once instructed and amused at the sudden
appearance 81 the dusky form Of the Sultan ~
Sulu emerging above the political horizon, just
as the white spectre Of &c to ! is disappearing
In the clouds Of oblivion.
Let then for n moment consider the facts
in the Sultan's case. General Bates being a
soldier and practical man Of affairs. finds him
self down in the Southern Philippines confront
ed by condition and not a theory. and sensby
concludes. in order to accomplish a practical
result not to attempt single handed to create a
new complication for the Administration by be-
ginning a policy which could only end in another
little
That the Sultan Of sulu would consent. over
night. so TO speak. to create impossible condi-
lions for himself and his government by sud
denly aboshing what to him is doubtless d.
vinely appointed institution, could hardly he ex
pected. Middle aged men in our own country
to-day can we'll remember the time when Amer
lean clergymen, from their pulpits. would not
have been wanting to furnish the Sultan. from
that might otherwise be found in his logical de-
fence Of the institution Of slavery.
Bates. then. concludes his military agreement
and. with the necessary safeguards against ad-
hitting the principle Of slavery the President
properly ratfes II. Professionally. Now. 1t goes
without saying that even If there were no con-
stitutional provision to the contrary, the Con-
gress OF the United States could not become
Of in
where our authority legally prohibit IT,
Enlightened public opinion would not tolerate IT,
What then is TO be done? The answer does
not seem difficult As money is supposed To be
the root of evil so also IL It made. when intelli-
gently administered, the root or good In study :
ing our own colonial problems vast amount
OF unnecessary confusion OF thought anu 49,. Tn
can he avoided by simply turning over tne
English blue books when knotty questions SUD
denly come to the front. -
In the rising tide Of civilization that has been
such a conspicuous feature Of the progressive
DEVELOPMENT OF the present century, Engish
public opinion was considerably ahead OF our
own on the slavery question. Resulung mere
from came the Emancipation act or 1910, wren
slavery was abolished throughout the British
Empire not by war. as was our own un1ortuhate
necessity hut simply by an act or faruaIle ~,
nroyiding for equitable compensation 10 the
owners OF slaves The word equitable Is useo
adyisedly. for certainly there would be no JUS
tice except necessary war measule' % ~ -,
the case OF President Ltncolns proclalea'i I'LL
corfscating the possessions OF our new "arus
in the Philippines for those possessions huLLiaN
chattels though they be- are held WIN no crn
inal intent, and only as the result 90 dis
which. after all. has been out SO re'o"'' ~
credited among ourselves Ill ,hore
If the Republican party leaders VIII tneLe,
fore now without delay, appoint
60 toto testimony and recommend Ieslsla. lV ~
looking 10 the freedom by purchase OF the sun i
eIaves our Democratic friends VIII nave 10 az
about again for issue, and even Ine 60
jroner,aiists may be brought 70 acKhowieuse
It n' " PRESIDENT In his annual message was
SnSnlsing in no idle figure Of rhetoric when ne ne
said that the flag Of the United states Is 'ne
sEl'Ooi u SAMUEL II. PARRISH
New-York Dec. 10, 1872.