The Irish standard., 1899-06-10

fering them advice and assistance if they
wish for them, but otherwise leaving
them completely free" Such a plan is
consistent with the principles and honor
OF our nation and with our professions
OF humanitarianism; and it would, if
adopted, save our nation the enormous
expense and the sacrifice of life that will
result if we persist in the attempt to
conquer the islands. A cessation Of
hostilitics is now declared, but let US not
deceive ourselves. The war will not
end for many years. 1t will cease only
to break out again Our nation has en-
tered upon the same policy as that fol-
lowed for centuries by Spain, and the
result must be the same. The only es-
cape from them must be found in a
change of policy.
We must accept the conditions as they
exist today We cannot now surrender
the Philippines to Spain. We cannot
abandon them 10 other foreign nations.
The islands are ours-for better, for
worse, for richer, for poorer. Our ma
ton can, however, renounce its sovcr-
eighty over these islands and establish
a protectoratc, either as DrWallace sug-
gests, on one OF the small islands, or as
probably now is made necessary at Ma
Mia. We may thus protect them from
foreign aggression, and then leave them
free to form their own independent gov
ernment.
We make no effort to place the re-
sponsibility for the mistakes in the Phil
ippincs, fraught with such evils, with
loss OF property, OF life, and OF national
honor. 1t will be written impartially by
the pen OF history. We will allow that
no foresight could have avcrtcd these
evils; but, as the Nation says, 1--WE may
still do much to redeem the situation il
we will now frankly face it, and by wise
assimilation, by patience, by experiment
after experiment, prove to the Filipinos
that liberty does not mean repression
and death, but the opening OF the prison
door and opportunity for manhood" In
doing this we shall assist instead OF
crushing out what Prof. William James
has called "the sacredest thing in this
great, human world--thc attempt OF Il
people long cnslavcd to attain posses
sion of itself, to organize its laws and
government, TO be free to follow its i'll
tcrnal dcstinies according to its own
ideals"
How is it that we, who have made
such sacrifices in securing and maintain
ing our own freedom, have no sympathy
for those who are making the brave ef-
fort to follow in the paths that have led
Our people out OF bondage? A mission
worthy the spirit OF American sons is
open to this republic. 1t may be among
the nations OF the earth the dclivcrcr OF
the oppressed; it may champion the
cause OF the weak and fricndlcss, and
lead from bondage into frccdom-hclp
them to full enjoyment OF "life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness" Shall
this nation, glorious in its hcavcnborn
freedom, be overcome by the evil genius
OF ancient monarchics, and turn aside
from the highway OF destiny opening be-
fore it, TO rule over race OF slaves?
Shall the American eagle, proud bird OF
freedom, descend from its heights to
fattcn like a vulturc upon the dead ly-
ing in the junglcs OF the Philippines
God OF Our fathers, save this great re-
public, whose star has been the guide oi
all the nations OF the earth seeking free
dom-save it from such an inglorious
end!
The God who breathed the spirit o
freedom into the hearts Of our fathers
who guided the destiny OF our nation in
the hours Of its weakness, will not now
forsakc it in the days of its strength
This republic will awaken from its STU
por, it will retrieve the mistakes made in
an hour when its way was hidden in
darkness and perplexed by uncertain
ties. 1t will atone for its wrong to hu-
manity, which it sought to serve, and,
consccrating itself anew to the ideals it
will yet find that highway of destiny, it
will cspouse ~lle cause of oppressed ma
tions, it will succor them and lead them
out into freedom, it will be the genius
OF a new confederation OF free peoples,
and over all will it establish the might
OF its protection.