Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-04
TURN FILIPINOS LOOSE.
That's the Way to Settle the
Question.

| To the Editor of the Dispatch
Mr.. Mckinley has made many plumbers,
but I'm his instructions to the Paris Peace
Commission. directing them to demand
the whole of the Philippines. he made
one Of those plumbers which have been
aptly designated as worse than crimes.
1t was a crime, huge transcendent
crime, without warrant and without quail
ifcation The President sinned against
light and knowledge. He sinned against
his own convictions, if such changelng
can be said to have any convictions.
We began the war in behalf Of hui
manity-horresco referens-and for the
advancement of liberty The war so be-
gun ends as a war of covetousness and
for the establishment Of despotism. Was
there ever so lame a conclusiOn2
We declared that We did not intend TO
acquire a foot of territory, and with that
declaration we purchased the neutrality
of the world. We have not rendered the
qud pro quo; our recent conduct mas
given the lie direct to our national de-
claratiOn. In my soul | believe we stand
disgraced I'm the sight of God and in the
eyes of the world.
The debauchery, extravaganza, cOrrup-
ton, and tyranny that VIII soon follow
the ACQUISITION OF the IlllpluOS VIII tlltNL
the downfall Of the republic The huge
army that will be employed TO crush the
spirit of liberty among the Fflipinos VIII
be quite effective also TO crush liberty
among ourselves. and directly or Indirect
ly il will surely do II.
Now. Mr.. Editor. If an honest man com
mits a blunder. what course does ne take2
He proceeds as quickly as possible 20
correct. 20 undo his act. That IS what
We ought to do in regard TO the Spanish
hq I4an I.pf
refuse TO ratify II. This is the thing for
us TO do. the only thing. If once we get
these islands and these people on our
hands, we will never get rid or them.
The fact OF possession will be the patent
argument for further steps, for huge ma
vies for standing armies. for ruinOus
taxation. for poverty and pollution at
home. Obsta in principiis.
But what will become Of the Filipinos
II we reject the treaty? says the Impe-
rialist. But what will become of US if we
don't is the question that more concerns
us. 1t Is the business of the Federal
Government 10 protect the rights and
interests Of the American people GER
tainy not TO sacrifice US for the supposed
benefit Of the motley races of the isles
of the southern seas.
I can tell you. however what Will be-
come Of the Fflipinos in the event in ques-
ton. Spain. with her strength intact,
could not subdue them. The islanders
would I'm short order wrest their freedom
from Spain. exhausted and ruined by the
war. The rejection of the treaty VIII
cause delay but what of that? We are
not in a hurry TO get the Philippines. De-
lay Is needed 10 collect the calm thought
of the American people, and when so coll
lected, Mr.. Mckinley VIII surely ma tnat
he has been altogether too previous. They
want not European entanglementS and
complications: not standing armies 10 eat
out their substance and destroy their
Liberties: not the pride. pomp. and cir
cumstance Of constant war; not the stlnu-
ing taxation that would make them poor
and keep them so; not the surrender or
their sons 70 conscriptiOn 10 be- sent th0u-
sands Of miles away 10 these death-laden
islands to keep yellow pagans IN order;
not gorgeous imperialism. with us pomp
and luxury and power for the few at the
cost and suffering of the great body OF
the people And If the sober thought o. |
our people shall have an opportunity 70 |
assert itself. | am certain thdJ IL VIII
flexible Washington is still the object OF
their idOlatry; not the chahselul ana Cd
PRECIOUS Mckinley.
Mr. Editor is II not pity that in these |
TRYING times we have had Tor our leaqer
such n weakling as the President who
docs not even profess 70 have any con-
victiOns. and is only eager % discover
the trend of public opinion. lie Is only
n veathercock not leader, not a guide.
NOT a statesman: utterly unilt Tor the
oR Tbe ''' Situation has demanded, in the
head of the government the puIest pa
triottsn1 clear and positive convictions, ]
ana dogged and heroic courage; mind !
that 'never says with doubt nor shakes ,
With fear" For the lack OF such a !
leader we have fought q war with weak .
and decrepit power, lasting only 10
davs. vet costing $2O,Wp9O. with an
mount OF laundering, foolish haste In
and corruption unparalleled
in anv annals The offence is rank, 1t
smells TO Heaven.
we can't annex them. But the idea or
establishing a prOtectorate over them and
educating them into ntness Tor freedom
Is silly chmerical, and If adopted VIII
he fatal alike 20 us and 70 them We
AMI teach 10 people the art OF govern
me- / have heard Of a woman who de-
Jared that her son should never 60 INTO /
water until he had learned TO swim. The
only way 10 learn 20 swim Is to swim, as
-be only way 20 learn 10 govern Is 10
rovern. Every community that governs
itself learns the way from its own IN
hints and warnings. from IT'S own tolls
md sacrifices. from blood shed for their
freedom.
bondsmen, know ye not,
Who would be free. themselves must
strike the blow"
This Is the way. the only way, We may
each the Filipinos the art or governing
themselves. but it won't do. II they pro-
.eed 10 erect a government on their own
IDEAS. IL will probably be bad govern
nent. but infinitely better than If they
lad been taught Of us. and had endeavor-
n 10 initiate US. They must work out
heir own salvation with fear and tremb-
ing with that eternal vigilance, which
6 the price Of liberty"
Resides what suits the AnglO-Saxon
mind will not suit. and cannot suit. the
Aslatic mind. We can't plan and devise
or them: they must do It for themselves.
md they only. Any help we may give
NJ attempt 20 give them. will only hinder. |
what remains The only thing we can
In for the Fiipinos, the very best thing !
We can do Is 10 get out OF their way and
Of them alone. They had almost ac-
,omplished their freedom before we cross
N their path. Spain demoralized weak
med. ruined, would not make the attempt J
% conquer them. Having ruined their
,ppressOr. let us not force them under
,ur yoke That would be horrible. The
government that we would establish over
hem would be hardly better than the
,panish Government. II would not suit
hem; they would be FESTIVE under il. |
ma would soon rebel against us.
Turn the F'ilipinos loose. and let them
,l,fet Cor thpppgplVpg Y DIfRNIr |