The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-18
SEATTLE, SUNDAY. FEBRUARY Is.
Some contradictor Views.

~YhsAS ~Chts
Before the Democrats proceed much
further in their attacks upon the adj
ministration Cor the retention OF the
Philippine islands. II would seem ad-
vsabie for them to have party eau
Gus and agree upon consistent line Of
argument to be adopted for the flu
ture. At present there Is a laughable
divergence Of opinion, or rather it would
be iaughable were II not for the effect
which the steady opposition OF the DEM
ocrats has had in encouraging the Fill
pinos to prolong q useless struggle. We
have heard = great Deal from Mr.
Bryan. as wen az from Senator Petit
grew and other Bryanites. about the
outrages which this country Is perpe-
trating In REFRESHING the legitimate as
pirations Of the iiberty-loving Filipinos.
Their pronounced capacity for sef-gov-
eminent has been exploited over and
over again on the floor OF both houses
Of congress-. and the worthless little ad-
venturer Aguinaido has been lauded as
- second Washington. and his state
ments accepted. even when hatly con-
tradicted by such men as Admiral
Dewey.
On Friday. however. Senator Mem
cry. also voicinG the Democratic OPP
position to the retention OF the
~.
for his argument precisely the op-
posite position to that assumed
by the majority OF his party as
sociates who have yet spoken on the
subject. Mr.. MeEnerys position is that
the Filipinos have no adequate concep-
tion Of liberty guided by law; that dis
Inevitable conditions of the islands. and
permanent restoration of order IL i'm
possible: that the only hope for the flu
ture OF the island Is In the complete ex-
iinction or the native population, as an
inferior race which has no legitimate
place in the world. and that the proper
withdraw from the islands. to leave
them a prey TO the inevitable anarchy
which he predicts. until, we presume. II
results In what he considers an emil
nently tittIng final. the complete ex-
tlnotion OF the native races. Thus the
two extremes OF opinion on the Demo
cratic side unite only in the common
conclusion that the United states
should withdraw absolutely from the
Islands.
II Is undoubtedly true that Mr.. Nc
Enery's estimate Of the Filipino char
aeter and Of the results which would
follow the withdrawal OF the United
States from the islands closely approx
iInates the truth as disclosed by the men
who have been In position 10 ac-
quaint themselves thoroughly with the
subject, but his picture Is tribe over
drawn. That tho Fsllpinos have no con-
ccption OF liberty guided by law is a
truism. That lacking this conception.
they are utterly incapable at present
OF establishing and maintaining
government. republican in form and
substance, which could give due or
any protection 10 life and property.
Is certain. The only form Of gov-
eminent with which they have had
any acquaintance has been that OF
spain. and every reyoited spanish coll
ony which has undertaken 10 set mp a
republican form Of government, basing
It's administrative features on Spanish
models. has been failure Instead ~
republics. they have been as a practi-
oaliy uniform rule. a succession OF die
,atorships, with one mans will the sole
law OF the community. ana with reyo-
mtions. instead OF elections, the machin-
cry through which the personnel Of the
government is changed. That the Fill
ipsnos could do better than this bad ex-
aDDle is doubtful. that they could do