The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-09-22
Who Plays. Pays.

| Kinley-s letter Of acceptance was given out,
the Philadelphia Pa Ledger gave utterance
to the following remarks:
| The policy of Benevolent Assimilation
as it has been and still is exploited in the
Philippines is, in theory, at least, the top and
| crown Of benefieent pafernalism. But, like
all truly good things, 1t IS expensive and de-
mands great sacrifices not only OF money, but
of principles Of government which this nation
has Tor upwards of a century shown purpose
to regard of much greater importance and
value than money
How many inhabitants there are in the Ar
chipelago n one appears to know. But the
most trustworthy authorities have estimated
them at 1000. go. The inhabitants of the is
lands include every class from savage to civil
lied, the savage, barbarous and semi-barbar
Gus peoples largely predominating numerically
the civilized.
Ii will be readily perceived that 10 assimilate
these different defective classes with the en-
lighlened people of the United States will not
be easy, nor will ii be soon accomplished.
Indeed, il would appear from the treaty which
our Government has made with the Sultan of
Sulu that it IS not our intention to induce the
Filipinos to accept our higher civilization and
enlightenment, but to conform our national
life to the time honored usages Of theirs. By
legalizing among them, our Government
has done. by formal, solemn treaty, slavery
and polygamy We have accepted their condI-
tons, not they our conditions.
1t seems strange that in our own possessions,
purchased al a great price-possessions over
which our flag floats and from over which it
is never to be hauled down-the actual gov
eminent is that Of despot-of the Sultan of
Sulu-which is more despotic than that of the
Gar of Russia or of the Sultan of Turkey.
l.. Il -xal
him as the antocratic ruler over the islands,
but actually pays him and his royal household
large annual tribute for granting this country
permission TO raise its flag over his slave pens
and harem, it being the first time since the
War of the Confederacy that our flag was SO
used, abused and dishonored. But that is a
mere incident III the execution OF the policy
Benevolent Assimilation"
The nation has expanded its sovereignty
over the Philippines at "A first cost, paid to
Spain for the Archipelago, under the Paris
treaty, S20, 900, 900. 1t has spent hundred
millions or more 10 carry on the war there for
the subjngaiion of our new. unwashed, un-
kempt, uncIorhed citizens; it is maintaining an
army there, which it will have to do indefinite
". of about 60. 900 men, and already the cas-
ualties TO our troops numbered TO date 1881.
Certainly benevolent Assimilation is a
=
the sacrifice of time honored principles of
government, in treasure aud III the lives and
health of our brave soldiers.
For all our expenditures the Government
has received into the fold about 1000 900
people more or less savage, or barbarous.
the greater part of them being one or the
Other, or both; we have also got the unknown
number Of UNEMPLOYED islands on which these
people live; we have similarly annexed slavery
and polygImy, and given them the sacred
protection of sold Glory we have also
bought IL first class revolution or insurrection
of YER large proportions and with apparently
great staying power What else we have bought
in the Philippines so expensively. according
to the report of a special Amry Board. is
rather numerous body of lepers, 10000 of
them. 1t is stated in the Boards report that
this host of lepers has been scattered over all
the Archipelago. benevolently assimilafing. so
TO speak, with their neighbors, who have been
thus inOculaied with the most direfnl and re-
pulsive of all contagious diseases. The Board
recommends that these 10000 lepers shall be
transported to single Philippine Island at the
Government expense; that houses and rations
and money for their permanent maintenance
shall be voted them by Congress.
All things considered, the benign and ex
pensive possibilities of the policy of .'Benevo-
lent Assimilation" in the Philippines appear
10 be absolutely iIlimirable. and it will be also
readily perceived that in a country inhabited
chiefly by savage, bari,arous, seni-civilized
and leprons peoples the opportunities present
ed for missionary work are many and great.
IL Luzon, where the insurgents or revolution
lists most do congregate, we are simplifying
the great work of Benevolent Assimilation
lac r,,,,idlv ayteruJnatinp them