Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-08-23
FUTURE STATUS or THE FILIPINO.
What Are We To Do with Him Now That
We HIVE. Him


The Republican platform assumes
that the Philippine islands will be re-
tained under American sovereignty.
and we have a right 10 demand OF the
Republican leaders discussion OF the
future status OF the Filipino. Is he 10
he citizen or subject Are We TO
bring into the body polite eight or ten
million ASiatics. SO different from Us in
race and history that amalgamation is
impoSsihlef Are they TO share with us
IN making the laws and shaping the
destiny OF this nationf No Republican
or prominence has been bold enough TO
advocate such proposition. The Nc
Emery resolution, adopted 10y the SEN
ate Immediately after the ratification
or the treaty, expressly negatives this
idea. The Democratic platform de-
scribes the situation when IL saws that
the FihpinOS cannot be citizens with
out endanGering our civilization. Who
Will dispute it, And what is the alter
nativeF If the Filipino is not TO be a
citizen, shall we make him a subject?
On that question the Democratic plat
form speaks with emphasis. 1t de
clareS that the Filipino cannot be 4
subject without endangerinc our form
of government. \ republic can have
no subjects.
The Republican platform SAYS that
"the largest measure OF govern
ment consistent with their welfare and
our duties shall he secured to them
(the Filipinos) by law" This is n
strange doctrine for government
which owes its very existence to the
men who offered their lives as a pro-
test against government without con
sent and taxation without representa-
ton. In what respect does the position
of the Republican party differ from the
position taken by the English govern
ment in 1176? Did not the English
government promise a good govern
ment to the cOloniSts: Did
not the English government promise
that the colOniSts should have the larC-
est measure of self government con
siStant with their welfare and English
duties? The Republican mar
" has accepted the European idea and
planted itself upon ground taken by
George III. and by every ruler who
distrustS the capacity Of the people for
self-gOvernment or denies them a voice
In thir own affairs.
The Republican platform promises
that some measure of Self-gOvernment
is to be given to the Filipinos by law:
but. even this pledge is not fulfilled
\" Why does the Republican
party hesitate to legislate upon the
Philippine question? Because a law
would disclose the radical departure
from history and precedent contem-
plated by those who control The Re-
publican party. The storm Of protest
which greeted the Porto Rican bin WAS
an Indication of what may be expected
when the American people are brought
face To face with legislation upon this
subject:
Ii the Porto RicanS. who welcome
annexation. are 10 be denied The guar
antee Of our constitution. what i to
he the lot Of the FilipinoS who resisted
our authority? IL secret influences
could compel 4 disregard Of our plain
duty toward friendly people. living
near our shores. what treatment will
those same influences provide for un-
friendly people 1000 miles away? If
la this country where the people have
the right to vote. Republican leaders
dare not take the side of the ncnple
against the great mOnOpOlicS which
have grown up within the last few
years, how can they he trusted 10 pro
tect the NilipinOS from the corpora-
tons which are waiting TO exploit the
islands?
Is the sunlight Of fun citizenship 70
az CHIONtO ~ NAt iN'l'iN VI the nltSU
States. ana the twilight OF semi-citizen-
ship endured by the people Of Porto
Rico. while the thick darkness OF per
petual vassalage covers the Philip
DineS?
The Porto Rico tariff law as
serts the doctrine that the on
Grafton Of the constitution is confined
TO the fOrty-five states. The Democratic
party disputes this doctrine and de-
nounces IL aS rcpugIant TO both the
letter and spirit of our organic law.
There is no place i'm our system of GOV
ernment for the deposit Of arbitrary
and irresponsible power.
The territorial form of government Ia