The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-17
The Philippine Census.


The Philippine Census.
Prepare lions for taking a census OF
the Philippine islands carry with them
two interesting conclusions. One is the
extent to which the pacification Of the
country has proceeded already. and the
other is the intent Of the Phillip
pine commission, under whose orders
this is done. to plant there American in
situations and the American system of
government by representation and pop
ular majority as rapidly as practicable.
We know already that nothing stands
between quiet and order and progress in
the Philippines but the hope of Demo-
cratic success in November. Open
armed resistance is at an end. Many
of the ablest men among the farmer
leaders OF the Filipinos have given their
allegiance to this government. The
small bands that hold out here and
there in iungles and mountains are
scarcely even guerrilas. They have
lost stomach for resistance. They are
waiting only for possible reversal OF
policy through the election of Mr..
Bryan. Then their position as irrec-
oncileables. still asserting their devo-
ton to Agulnaldo and Independence"
would enable them to assert at once
their authority over the pacificos and
their right to be recognized as rulers
shrewdly they calculate on this, and 1t
alone delays their surrender.
How few and small and scattered
these bands are is shown by the census
project. II the bulk of the people. IT,
the majority OF the area OF the Phil
ipplnes were devoted to the cause of
insurrection, the thing could not be
thought Of. That 1t is proposed as
practical fact, knowing as we DO the
detail Of even an incomplete census. Is
proof Of the improved condition of az
fairs. Spain. with all her forces there,
would not have dreamed Of 1t OF late
years. With only a small number OF
troops divided among these scattered
islands, we are In position to DO II. II
argues wen for the impression produced
by our representatives upon a people is-
norant of our character and purposes.
and inclined naturally TO suspicion and
resentment
| We are beginning to lay the founda-
| tons OF a government by the people.
The census Is the first preliminary. In
the Philippines as Il was in Cuba and
Puerto Rico. We need facts first. We
want to know the number Of people In
our new possessions. their condition
| with respect 20 property. 20 education
and industry. their tribal divisions
| their language and habits. We have 20
| begin at the beginning. most 81 all here.
where there Is no nation. nothing that
could be called a people" in the po-
basis Of Information for the work
/ Of the common school. We must have
{ II tor the institution OF those local gov
/ ernments by home rule that are kin
/ derxartens in self-government Great
I Is the work that VIZ have undertaken.
and seriously and systematically are we
/ going about r.
Glance at the picture and see how
/ The sober lines " fac, obuterate the
[ heated faBcies that are injected into our
/ political campaign. In the Philippines
( p going forward the nohlest work this
/ country has engaged in since II Nber-
+ a,ed the negro. The agencies o. civil
i2ation are active. The ground Is be
I ing prepared Tor the seed Already the
( machinery is in operation that viii
make the FIllplnos ultimately % for
! self-government. And i Is working IN
der the direction and by the lators %
some OF our ablest and cur best on
this side ~ the Pacific there Is a breath
OF fouiness blown upon this great mis-
sionary EFFORT; misrepresentation.
hatred, ealumny. n spurious American
ism and a greed for Office are combined
| 20 bring 10 naught our glorious enter