The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-12

time and trouble, to say nothing OF lie
aud treasure, to come out frankly WIN
the announcement that we nave an
nexed these possessions inte cold blood
and that we intend to utilize them 10
our profit and advantage. All this talk
about benevolent assimilation; all this
hypocritical pretense of anxiety for the
moral, social and intellectual exaltation
of the natives: all this transparent par
ade of responsibility and deep-seated
purpose; all this dece!ves nobody, avatls
nothing. helps us not an inch In the di-
rection of profit. dignity. and honor. we
oil know, down In our hearts, that these
islands, groups, etc.. are important to
us only in the ratio of their practical
possibilities. We value them by the
standard Of their commercial usefulness
and by no other. All this gabble about
civilizing and uplifting the benighted bar
barians of Cuba and Luxon Is mere sound
and fury, slgnifying nothing. Foolishiy
or wisely. we want these newly-ac0rired
territories. not for any missionary or
altruistic purposes. but for the trade. the
commerce, the power. and thc money
there are In them. Why beat about the
bush and promise and protest all sorts
of things? why not be honest? 1t Will
pay. AS a matter OF fact, we are not
concerned in the ethical or religious up
lifting of the Filipinos. After all, the
difference between q hro och-clout and n
starched shirt front is n mere ,n1tter cf
climate and personal opinion. Hishon-
esty, untruth. crime. and general wicked
ness are here in our midst-present with
us as part of our daily life and growing
with our growth We need not go to the
West Indies or the Philippines In search
of material for moral rescue. our own
slums abound with opportunities fer ms
sionary zeal. Why not tell the truth ana
say-what is the fact-that we want
Cuba. Puerto Rico. Hawaii and Luzoi-
together with any other islands In either
ocean that may hereafter commend
themselves to our appetite-because we
believe they will add to our national
strength and because we hope they viii,
some day. become purchasers at our par
gain counters? We might as we'll hrow
of the pious mask and indulge ourselves
in n little honest candor. 1t Will cost us
nothing, and It may profit much. AT
any rate. we shall have the comfort and
satisfaction OF being honest with cur
selves and the privilege Of looking into
the mirror without blushihg
This was copied by Senator Petit
grew into the Congressional Record
and scattered abroad by the anti
element until it finally got into Aguin-
aldo's hands. Quick to see it's value
caused it to be translated into Spanish
and circulated throughout the archi-
pelago as an official statement of Ameri-
can intentions. The cable the other
day gave us the result. The dying re-
bellion has been famed into new ac-
tivity; the Washington Post writer's 5
fondness for cynical writing is costing
-
1t may be that both Major Runcie
| and the editor of the Washington Post
| meant what they wrote and were hon
est in their utterances; but our public
| officials as well as our newspapers need
to realize that events have put around
them new and unfamiliar responsible
| ties, which call for discretion as we'll
as zeal. 1t is quality Americans
| should cultivate.