The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-13
WH|IELAN RE|D'S ADDRESS.
TALKS TO PHILIPPINE COMMISSION
At 4 BANQUET.
Their Task to Give the FiIipinos Or
der. Justice. American Civil
Rights for All the People, ana
Ultimately Local seIf-Governmcnt

SAN FRANCISCO. April IA banquet
was rendered the Philippine commissioners
tonight by the merchants Of this city
The principal address was made by HON
Whitelaw Reid.
After referring to the nonpoltical sig
niicance OF the occasion, Mr.. Reid SAID
in part;
What do the American people In gen
era and without distinction Of party Iook
TO you for? II the truth must be WIS,
pered IN your ear. there are mere ahn
there very sincere, capaple people WIZ
are growing a bit weary Of multiplicity
of commissions. They say-so cynicaI are
they-that IN all ages and countries the
easiest method OF eVading or postp9nihs
a difficult problem has been 70 appoint
commission on II, and thus prolong the
circumlocution. For first thing, theh,
In which we are united, We wish you 70
redeem tho character Of this mode OF
government by commission. For we as
sumo that you are sent out to the archi-
peIago 20 govern. and Just AT present we
don't know Of any part or our possessions ,I.
that seems more In need OF government
Owe all unite I'm adjuring you 10 remem-
her that YOU are setting sail not only
charged with the national Interests. but
dignlbed and ennobed by guardianship
of the national honor
I'VE all unite | venture to think, IN
earnestly wishing that '.ou may make
the best OF situation which none OF us
wholly like. and many dislike with all
their hearts--the best OF II, for the eoun-
try which, by good management or pan,
rightfully or wrongfully. is at any Iate
certainly and In the eyes OF the Who,e
world now responsible for the outcome
and the best OF II, no less. for the dis
tracted people thrown upon our HANDS
I'VE cannot well help uniting In the
further hope that your ilrst success VIII
be the re-establishment of order through,
out regions lately filled With violence ana
bloodshed. and that you can then bring
about a system Of Just and swirl PUNISH
nent OF future crimes Of disorder.
"In the interest Of the islanders you
will soon seek TO raise the revenue they
need I'm the way least burdensome ana
most beneficial 10 them, but In the inter-
eat OF your country we cannot expect you
20 begin By assuming that the only way
70 help the islanders IL TO throw prod
ncts OF their cheap labor into unrestrict-
cd competition with similar products OF
our highly paid labor. In the Interest OF
the islanders YOU viii secure and gliaran-
tee To them the civil rights which belong
10 the very genius OF American institu-
tions. but In the interests OF your coun-
try YOU viii not make haste to extend the
privilege OF American citizenship which
on the one hand. would enable those peo-
pies OF the China sea, Chinese or half
breed or what not. to food our labor
market In, advance OF any readiness at
home TO change our present laws OF ex-
clusion, and on the other hand would
open the door TO them as states In the
linton to take part in the government of
this continent. II in the providence OF
God and In contempt OF past judicial rul-
ings. the supreme court should finally
command II, you, like every other branch
OF the government will obey. TIL then
we may be sure YOU will not, In sheer
eagerness and iovfulness of heart. an
tcipate. or ms Wall street spectators
say. discount such a decree for national
degradation. But In their own land. and
az far as may be IN accordance with
their old Gust oms and laws. you will Sc
cure TO them. II you are to win the sue
cess We all wish you, every civil right we
enjoy. and next the fullest measure { Z
political rights and local self goyerumen NJ
they are found capable Of sustaining. with
ordered liberty for all the people.
There then. is the doom we expect
you 10 infiict on these temporarily turbu-
liant wards OF the nation. First. order.
then Justice, then American civil rights.
not for "A class OF tribe or a race. but
for all the people; then local self gov
eminent And may God help you TO full
MI this task.
Above all, II there Is a trace OF politics
IN your work or of seeking for political
effect ut home, you will fail and deserve
20 fail"
Prof Moses and Judge Taft. OF the
commission. spoke briefly