The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1900-01-03

gent leaders were dishonest. l be-
lieve that many who fought against
The Americans were animated by the
highest loyalty Of independence. l
think probably Aguinaldo is one OF
this class, and that be is an honest
man.
"One reason for the stubborn op-
position to our occupation of the is
lands was legacy of suspicion and
hatred of the white man which Spain
bequeathed to US. The Filipinos
know the white race only by one
specimen. Spain to them represents
the whole world of Europeans-the
whole white race-and her authori-
ties made promises repeatedly to
them and broke them. They will not
today trust Americans or Spaniards
or any other Europeans. Nor is it
strange that they distrust the prom
ises of the Americans. This distrust
of the white race is one CT the prob
lens that will require years of labor
to overcome. You cannot overcome
it with words. It must be dissipated
by actual works; they must have ocu-
lar demonstration that the words of
the Americans can be relied upon.
Not until then will they begin
to believe US. Consequently I
have urged it on Congress and the
President to set up civil government
in the Philippines just as SOON as
the military condition warrants it. A
simple government is what is needed
and every province should have it so
they can learn the meaning OF our
promises and intentions. The Pres
ident is in possession of the fullest
information about the needs and con-
dition of the islands and he can
judge better than we can what is the
best thing to do. But as soon as a
province is subdued some civil gov
ernment should be set up so that its |,
operations before their eyes will teach
them of it's benefits.
Il regret that the Americans al
lowed the saloon to get foothold on
islands. That has hurt the Ameri-
cans more than anything else, and
the spectacle of Americans drunk
awakens disgust in the Flliriros. We
suppressed the cock fight there and
permitted the ta7erns to flourish.
One emphasized the Filipino fraility
and The other the American vice. I
have never seen a Filipino drunkard.
In Manila, which is really a cos
mopolitan city, in Iloilo and oth,r
cities of the islands, you will find ed
ucated Filipinos who are bright and
pleasing to meet socially. 1t is a
good thing that We have such nu-
clus of education to begin with. TIE
great masses, of course, are ignorant,
but the one good thing in their favor |
is that they have thirst for knowl-
edge. With good American schools
on the islands, the leven of general
education will produce results for tie
masses that will develop the race
rapidly. The Filipinos have many
other good characteristics. They
are honest by nature, and show it in
their dealings, although suspicious
of the white man.
They need roads out there and
their construction is the first neces-
sity when peace is restored to the is
lands. Then after that should come
the schools. Let these be establish
ed and the missionaries emitted to
the province and success is assured.
"But one thing I wish to empha-
size more than another point that
I have dwelt upon. We must make
an honest civil service permanent
institution on the islands. Spain es-
tablished the spoils system, and the
corruption which has followed from
it has made three centuries Of evil
government for the people, and
finally resulted in her own overthrow.
The best man in the United States
is none too good to go to the Philip
pines as Governor General He must
mete out justice to all, and to teach
the Fllipinos by his decisions d
example that he is their friend. By
sending out such man We will Sue.
ceed, but if we send an ordinary pol
itical appointee We shall fail. am
confident that the right man will be
sent, and then our experiment will
be national success"