The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-12-07

understand, tnat there = are Certain
great principles OF government which
have been made the basis OF our gov
ernmental system which we deem es-
sential to the rule OF law and the MAIN
tenance Of individual freedom, and Of
which they have. unfortunately. been
denied the experience possessed by US:
that there are also certain practical
rules OF government which we have
found to be essential TO aSe preserva-
ton q these great principles OF liberty
n law. n hat these principles and
these rules OF government must be es-
tablished and maintained in their is
lands for the sake OF their liberty and
happiness, however, much they may
conflict with the customs or laws OF
procedure with which they are famil-
lar.
1T is evident hat the most enlight-
ened thought OF the Philippine islands
fully appreciates the importance of
these principles and rules, and they
will inevitably within a short time COM
mand universal assent. Upon every
division and branch OF the government
of the Philippines, therefore. must be
imposed these i%nviolable rules:
That no person shall be deprived OF
life, liberty, or property without due
process of law; that private property
shall not be taken for public use without
just compensation; that in all criminal
prosecutions the accused shall enjoy
the right to a speedy and public trial.
to be informed of the nature and cause
Of the! accusation, to be confronted
with the witnesses against him, to have
compulsory process for obtaining wit
nesSes in his favor. and to have the as
istance of counsel for his defense; that
excessive bail shall not be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
unusual punishment inflicted; that no
person shall be put twice in jeopardy
for the same offense, or be compelled
in any criminel case to be a witness
against himself; that the right to be
secure against unreasonable searches
and seizures shall not be violated; hat
neither slavery nor involuntary servi-
tude shall exist except as a punishment
for crime; that no bill OF attainder or
eX-post-facto law shall be passed: that
no law shall be passed abridging the
freedom of speech or Of the press. or
the rights of the people to p~eaceably
assemble and petition the government
for a redress of grievances: that no law
shall be made respecting an establish
ment Of religion. or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof, and that the free ex-
ercise and enjoyment of religious pro-
fession and worship without descrimi-
nation or preference shall forever be
allowed.
1T will be the duty of the commis-
sion to make a thorough investigation
into the titles to the large tracts of
land held or claimed by individuals or
by religious orders; into the justice of
the claims and complaints made against
such l~andholders by the people g The
island or any part of the people, an. to
seek by wise and peaceable measC es
a just settlement of the controver IS
and redress of wrongs which have c. s.
ed strife and bloodshed in the p.s st.
In the performance of this duty ne
commission is enjoined to see tina no
injustice is done; to ave regard for
substantial rights and equity. disre-
garding technicalities so far as sub
stantial right permits, and to observe
the following rules:
That the provision Of the treaty of
Paris ~pledging the United States to the
protection of all rights Of property in
the islands. and as well the principle
of our own government which prohibits
the taking of private property without
, due process Of law, shall not be vio-
, lated; that the welfare OF the people
of the islands. which should be a par
amount consideration. shall be attain
{ ed consistently with this rule OF proper
ty right; that If it becomes necessary
for the public interest of the people OF
the island to dispose of claims to prop
erty which the commission finds to be
not lawfully acquired and held dispo-
sition shall be made thereof by due legal
procedure, in which there shall be full
opportunity for fair and impartian
hearing and judgment; that II the
same public interests require the extin-
guishment of property rights lawfully
acquired and held due compensation
shall be made out of the public treas
/ ury therefor; that no form OF religion
and no minister of religion shall be
forced upon any community or upon
any citizen of the islands; thu. upon
the other hand. no minister CT relig-
ion shall be interferred with or mo,est-
ed in following his calling, and that
the separation between state and
church shall be real, entire. and a5so-
lutte.
1T will be the duty Of the commls-
sion TO promote and extend, and. AZ
they find occasion, to improve. the sys-
TEN of education already inaugurated
by the military authorities In doing
this they should regard as Of first inn
portance the extension OF a system OF
. primary education which shall be free
> to LII and which shall tend to fit the
people for the duties Of citizenship and
for the ordinary ~avocations Of a civil
lied community. This instruction
5 should be given in the first instance in
every part OF the islands In the Ian
guage Of the people. In view of the
!, great number Of languages spoken by
{ the different tribes, IL is especially i'm
: portant to the prosperity OF the islands
. that a common medium OF communica-
i ton may be established, and IL Is OBJ
= viously desirable that this medium
should be the English language. Es-
z peciaI attention should be at once Civ
en- ITO affording full opportunity TO all
the people OF the islands to acquire the
use of the English language.
: 1T may be well that the main chang
es which should be made in the system
!, of taxation and in the body OF the laws
: under which the people are governed,
, except such changes as have already
, been made by the military government
! should be pe1sgated TO the civil govern
{ ment which mto be established under
{ the auspices of the commission It
will, however, be the duty OF the COM
Z mission to inquire diligently as 10
q whether there are any further chang
which ought not 10 be delayed ana IL