The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-25
bic lives, and al a time. too. when no par
ty can make II a legitimate issue"
What to Do With the PhiIipptues


What to Do With the Philippines.
What does the senator propose TO do
with the Philippines?" inquired Allen.
Spooner-To enforce the authority of the
government in the islands.
AEen-Then what?
Spooner-To give the people honest.
even-handed justice and good government:
to protect life and property: to fill the
land with schooIhouses; to give the peo-
pie such part in the government as they
may show themselves fitted for: 10 main
tain the laws 20 honestly and firmly that
no man. however. rich, shall be beyond
their reach. ana no man so humble that
he may not have their protection.
Allen-That will take years.
Yes, 1t will take years" replied spoon
er. "but all these things being accom-.
plished. where is your issue OF imperial
ism?"
Ailen-Then what do you propose to do?
Spooner-I do not expect to be here. II
will take years That is why 1 say il is
wicked and baneful TO endeavor to make
the issue now
people will govern themselves" urged Al
len.
The power TO give those people self
government lies with no president" re-
sponded Spooner. ut lies with congress
IL the time shall come when the Filipino
people show an ability to govern them
|, selves, the American people win give
them self-government."
Allen-Yes, but will the Republican par-
ty give II to them?
"Ah. there is the trouble with the SEN
ator from Nebraska and those who think
with him. said Spooner. at is party,
party party. They never rise above par
ty," and turning to Allen he asked sharp
ly, What would the Populist party do?"
me Peoples party would do what the
Republican party is too cowardly to do"
replied Allen. warmly I'VE would offer
10 these people the blessings OF civi lib
erty Immediately. and not 60 to them
with shot and shell. Then we would pro-
tect them against the greed and encroach-
ments OF Europe"
That Is all very we'll" replied Spooner
merely to listen to. but do not think
the senator knows what the Populist or
Democratic party win do five years from
this time. The people of this country will
not be deceived. They will realize that
our soldiers in the Philippines are suf-
fering because of your efforts here TO man.
ufacture an issue to obscure our real duty
and responsibility"
The People Behind the Armv.
After explaining the bill under discussion
and saying that II was merely a tenn
porary measure to indicate that the con-
gress was behind the president i'm his eff
Tort TO give a good government TO a
people 1000 miles away. Spooner said in
conclusion:
NE American people viii stand behir a
the American army wherever ii NAV he nm.
der the flag"
Right or wrong" interjected Pettiprew
1t Will be right" responded Spooner
But the American people Will determine
mat question, not the senator from South
Dakota. We will do what IL generous and
right. We will give them good govern
ment-honest government If we come
upon dishonest employe we will snd
him to the pen. Then the day will come
when those people are enjoying the bless
ihS3 or prosperity, contentment and good
government, when the American peop'e
VIII grant them an autonomous govern
ment. When we have erected a govern
ment IN Cuba. stable and strong: when We
nave conferred the blessings of civil lIber-
ty upon the people OF Puerto Rico. when
We have given TO the Filipinos such n
government and such an administration az
they never dreamed of--then we shall have
worked out contamination more glorious
and given a greater example OF what lib
erty can do than has ever before been
seen In the history of the world
When an agreement had been reached
that the discussion should be resumed to-
morrow morning the senate at 6 o'clock
adjourned after brief executive session.