The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-01
SEATTLE, SUNDAY, ArRIL 1.
Working for Humanity.

new Philippine commission with Secre-
tsry Root and OF the plans that It has
drawn up orght 10 make interesting
reading for those who talk about Amer
lean oppression" No nation ever went
about the task OF providing good gov
ernment for people thrown upon its
care more conscientiously than this.
None gave more freely OF Its substance
for the uplifting OF the unfortunate and
the enlightenment Of ignorance. None
ever dedicated more willingly its high
est ability to a service which. In their
patriotism. they are willing to accept
because It is for humanity.
Briefly. we learn that plan OF work
has been mapped out that will occupy
the greater part of the next two years.
The foundation of this Is the establish
ment Of system OF local self-govern-
ment throughout the islands with II
Is connected the introduction OF a
scheme OF popular education. to instruct
rest 80 soon upon them IN their un-
preparedness. Side by side with 1t runs
the publication OF the courts. until the
abstract idea OF justice as the first ONCE
OF a state shall have entered the minds
OF those TO whom II il almost a stran-
Ger.
Secretary Root gave q most pertinent
answer 20 the inquiry whether the civil
authorities or the military would dom
pointless, because there was no posi-
Bile opportunity for friction 10 arise. In
deed. the suggestion couid scarcely
have come from any one save those who
are affrishted by the specters that their
imaginations have conjured out OF emp
ty space. II would be a real difficulty IL
Il had ever entered the mind OF any
one connected with the administration
that we were engaged in work OF
conquest, and that what we had won
by the sword must be held by Il. II
has not The work that we have begun
In the Philippines is the opening of this
rich but neglected soil TO the ideas 81
liberty. seif-restraint. equality and Jus
tiee that have never taken root there II
they had, we should not need soldier
In the Philippines today. To this some
OF our purest and ablesi men have given
their lives Military occupation is but
an incident of rebellion with the dts
appearance of armed resistance. the mill
itary forces WIN have no other place or
function In the Philippines than they
have in the United States.
II passes comprehension how any
honorable man can look at the situation
IN the Philippines and comment upon
It In the terms that partisanship en-
ploys. Think or this iabber about "con-
guest oppression" 'despotism" and
imperialism. and then face the facts.
We are told tina, the purpose behind the
retention of the islands II a commercial
one. II Is the monopolies and trusts that
see new fields for exploitation In that
case military government would CON
tinue. 80 that the rulers OF the people
might he suoservlent to their masters at
home In that case the civil service
would be dehauchcd And as nrst
step in any such design the affairs - the
Philippines would be turned over 70
creatures Of the power that coutem.
plated wreakins its dark destsn in that
distant and helpless land
what is the evidencoe II IL absolute
unquestionable complete. The presl.
dent has practically settled the tutur,
of the Philippines as far as Their inter
nal administration the field for abuses
n any should occur, Is concerned lie
has appointed commission Of 81 high
character that even the voice ~ Sian
der Is stilled The United States has
been searched for the ablest snd best
Der Of the Taft commission falls below
the high standard. Not one whisper Of
criticism has been heard Even the
venom with which Mr., Mckinley has
been sssailed pauses helpless and HARM
less before the quality Of these men.
They are the witness of our purpose
Fors let the people understand, this is