West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-08-23
FUTURE STATUS or THE riL,pINo.
Whnt Are We TO DO with Him Now That
We Have Him?


We Have Him?
The Republican platform assumes
that the Philippine islands VIII be re-
tanned under American sovereignty,
and we have right TO demand OF the
Republican leaders a discussion OF the
future status of the Filipino. Is he TO
be a citizen or a subject? Are we to
bring into the body polite eight or ten
million Asatics, 50 different from us In
race and history that amaIgamation ig
impossible? Are they To share with us
IN. making the laws and shaping the
destiny OF this nation? No Republican
OF prominence has been bold enough TO
advocate such proposition. The Me.
Emery resolution, adopted by the SEN
ate Immediately after the ratification
OF the treaty, expressly negatives this
idea The Democratic platform de-
scribes the situation when II says that
the Fjlipin0s cannot he citizens with
ont endangering our civilization. Who
VIII dispute iti And what is the alter
natifef If the Filipino is not TO be "A
citizen. shall we make him sublcctY
ON that question the Democratic plat.
form speaks with emphasis. 1t de-
ciarcs that the Filipino cannot bc
subject without endangcrng our form
OF government. A republic can have
no subjects.
The Republican platform SAYS that
"the largest measure of sclf-govern-
men' consistent with their welfare and
our duties shall he secured TO them
uhe FilpiuCp by law" This Is
strange doctrine for government
which owes its very existence to tho
men who offered their lives ms n pro-
test against government without con
sent and taxation without representa-
iiOn. IN what respect does the position
Of the Republican party differ from the
POSITION taken by The English govern
mont In l1TG? Did not the English
government promise good govern
ment 10 the cOlonistsl Did
not the English government promise
that the col0uists should have the larg-
est measure OF self-govcrnment con
sistant with their welfare and English
dutiesf The Republican par:
~ las accepted ;he European idea and
planted itself upon ground taken by
George III and by every ruler who
disirusts the capacity OF the people for
elfgoyerpmeBt or denies them n voice
IN tliir own affairs
The Republican platform promises
that sOine measure Of lf-gOYcrnmeut
is 10 bc given 90 the Filipinos by law:
hut. evon fhis pledge X not fulfilled.
Why does the Republican
party hesitate TO leglslate upon the
Philippine question: Bccause law
would disclosc The radical departure
from history and precedent cOntem-
plated by those who control the Re-
publican party The storm OF protest
Which greeted the Porto Rican bill was
an indication Of what mGy be expected
when tie American people are brought
face TO face with legislation upon fliis
subject:
II the Porto Rlcars. who welcome
annexation. are 10 be denied the guar.
antce NJ orr constitution. what IS TO
be the lot uf the lfiiipinOs. who resisted
orr authority If secret influences
could compel disregard Of our plain
duty toward friendly people. living
ncnr our shores what treatment VIII
those sagp influences provide for un-
friendly people 1000 miles awayg IT.
ld this country where the people have
,he rigli 80 vote Republican leaders
dare not take the side OF the people
against tbe great nOnOpOllcs which
have grown up within Tire last few
years hOw can they be trusted 10 pro.
teci the Fllipin0s from the c0rpora-
lions which ARE waiting 10 exploit the
islandsf
o. tnc sunlight of full citizenship To-
b enjoyed by tbo people Of the United
states. aud the twilight 0f scmiciiizep-
ship endured hy the people or Porto
Rico. While thc thick darkness Of per
lptuN yasalnee covers The Philip.
binfsG
The Porto Rico tarn law oe.
serts flis doctrine chat the on
eration of ihc constitution ia confined
~ the f0rty.dvc states. The Democratic
party disputes this doctrine ard dc
nnunccs 20 as rcpuGnant to both tho
ic.tor and spirit Of our organic law.
There is no place in our system Of gov.
rmcnt for the deposit Of arbitrary
anC irresponsible power.
The territorial form OF government In