New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-29
THE ISLAND POSSESSIONS.
FREDERICK W. SEWARD ON THE PRAC-
TICAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN DEAL
ING WITH THEM AND THEIR
FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir, When an American boy is born he is under
stood TO be under the guardianship of the
Constitution of the United States. and TO be en-
titled to enjoy, with the rest of US protection of
his life, liberty property and pursuit of happ-
ness Ultimately hope that by and
education of him will acquire capacity for self
support and selfgovernment. and may and
even hold office. Freedom and protection we give
him al once. but these other privileges he cannot
have for and twenty years He may have
them for if he proves an idiot e lunatic Grim
inal he may be debarred from them entirely.
When OF foreign birth steps ashore the
Barge Office in New-York he also at once comes
under the protection of the Government and enjoys
a trceman's rights. privileges and immunities. He
may at some future time become citizen and have
a share in the suffrage and government Of the
country. But for that he also wait some
years, until he has acquired some degree of Amer-
can experience and prove his good moral char
acter
Our newly acquired islands in somewhat sim
liar case. If Territories the continent peo-
pied by emgrants from older States stand in the
relation of minor children 20 Uncle Sam" then
these islands him in the relation Of wards or
waits Entrusted TO his Freedom ne has given
them, and they enjoying it to q degree never
before experienced in their history. Protection
and peace he has assured to them and education
in the of self-government he is diligently
ing inpart 10 them
Freedom may be given in day achieved at a
blow. But the gift of freedom does not carry with
it the capacity to it. That only with
time, education and experience. Ignoring that
truth led the bloody crimes of the first French
Republic; neglect OF il is largely respon-
sible for Southern complicated race problem"
our opponents, however, insist that, having lib
Grated these islands from Spanish rule, are
bound either them adrift a "self-govern-
ing anarchy else TO admit them at once into
ol ana eqdal copaTtnersnip with our 9ta5es On
Jaey hope 10 impaIe the Administration and the
republican party. such they contend is their
But the Administration and the Republican party
are not theorists and do not intend 70 De impalGd
ties 10 deal with and are dealing with item in a
practical VA Thev know t5at Such treatment Of
any of the islands would be very like giving
the street. saying. Now, get Your own living and
defend yourself and shoot anybody who denies your
Dur anti-imperalist'' friends however say: This
mat they are always to Be kept in a condition OF
vassalage and subsection. Are they never 10 have
any chance 10 become States2'
Never is a long word. That they are not fit TO
senabIi1g act within a year or two is POINT on
which probably most "expansionists' and 'anti-ex-
pansionists' would agree What the yelled years
81 the coming twentieth century h9d IN store
under modern civilization would venture predict
main as now But that Is not the question We nave
20 decide now. II is not a question that we can
decide now. It is question FOR our successors,
perhaps FOR generation yet unborn .,.
as 70 whether our own race is the only one capable
Os republican self government. The Congress which
declared that the rights for which the American
people contending the rights of human
nature" and The Congress which declared that
race, color previous condition OF serVitude
should be no bar 10 suffrage evidently believed that
citizens OF seIf-governing republics. The majority
of the American people probably believe II still
l. for should be very reluctant TO disbelieve H.
But, however may differ that point pres
duty plain. II Is keep the American nag
flying over every island, 10 protect and defend its
people. educate its children, instruct its in
the OF popular government. invite them
share in II ana give them Just much OF il
they stand with safety to themselves
and the world large
That is the the Administration is pursuing.
the the Republican party is advocating
in this Presidential campaign.
FREDERICK ". SEWARD.
NIontrose-on- the Hudson. N Y. April Is 1900.