The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1899-02-18

victory recently won by our gallant
troops at Manila. In the account
of that battle we are told that
among the natives ssthe Ygorotes
were especially noticeable for their
bravery, about 100 of these naked
savages facing our artillery fire with
only bows and arrows as weapons.
Think of 1t. Does it not wildly
recall the conquest of Mexico, when
naked savages, armed only with
were these poor Filipinos, bravely
faced the mail-clad warriors of
Spain and fell like grain before the
sickle; or the war in the Soudan
when the half-naked and poorly
armed Soudanesc were slaughtered
by thousands while rushing upon
the serried ranks of the British sol
diers, armed with all the muniInents
of modern warfare? 1t is pitiful,
this terrible slaughter of a people
who consider that TREY are fighting
for the very principles the men of
our own Revolution fought for.
The executive and his allies, or
masters, rather, advance the plea
that these confessedly ignorant PEG
pie should know that .his govern
inent has only the kindest feelings
towards them; is studving their
good. The flnsiness of this plea
will be appreciated when it is
remembered that even in this coun-
try only McKiniey's familiars, those
who are permitted to enter into the
dread arena, have any well define ed
insight into his policy; whether it is
to make freemen or slaves of the
inhabitants of the archipelago
And it may be interesting to
know what sort of people our troops
are Strengthening" with SO little
compunction and SO little compare
tive loss on their own part.
The latest commission appointed
by the president is that for the in
vestigation and study Of the condi-
tons of the Philippines, of which
Prof. Dean C. Worcester, OF Ann
Arbor, Michigan, is member and
now on his way to Manila. We are
indebted to the Baltimore Sun for
some Information in regard to the
character of this gentleman and, of
his utterances touching the subject
under discussion. We are told that
no man is recognized as higher
authority than Professor Worcester,
who has lived in the Philippines and
whose writings in reference to them
are the best obtainable source of
information. Just prior to his ap-
pointme nt to the commission he
was asked by friend at Cornell for
an expression of his opinion as to
the capacity of the Filipipos for
f-government. From his reply,
which has been published, the Sun
quotes as follows:
ss,To make a statement as to flu
ture possibilities is merely to ex-
press an opinion. and so far as
can see the only basis for such an
opinion is to be found in the char |
acter of the civilized native and in
the actual showing which he has |
made under the adverse environ
men: which has thus far surrounded |
him.
"rhe Filipino has developed |
many admirable traits. He is
peaceable and cheerful; his self-re-
straint is remarkable; his family
IS well ordered; in some instances,
At any rate, he shows executive
ability of no mean order when
called upon to attend to the admin
stration of local affairs in the more
important towns.
'sIt is nay own belief that no in-
people offers brighter
nope for the future than do the
Philippine natives, and If trouble
,rIses in our dealings with them l
believe there is far more likelihood
hat it will be the result of our own
administration than that it will
:ome from inherent and objection
BILE DecllIia rites of their char