The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-12-07
F111p1Nos' INTERESTS AT HEART.
Establishment of Government Not De-
signed for Our Satisfaction.

signed for Our Satisfaction.
"In all the forms Of government and
administration provisions which they
are authorized to prescribe the COM
mission should bear in mind that the
government which they are establish
ing is designed not for our satisfaction.
or for the expression Of our theoretical
views, but for the happiness, peace and
prosperity Of the people Of the Philip
pine islands, and the measures adopt
ed should be made to conform to their
customs, their habits, and even their
prejudices, to the fullest extent con.
sistent with the accomplishment OF
the Indispensable requisites of just and
effective government.
"At the same time the commission
should bear in mind, and the people OF
the islands should be made plainly to
understand, that 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 the preserva-
ton Of these great principles of liberty
and law, and that these principles and
these rules of government must be es-
LdDllSneQ ana III llSlT 1871
ands 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
It is evident that the most enlight-
ened thought Of the Philippine Islands
fully appreciates the importance or
these principles and rules, and they
win inevitably within short time
command universal assent. Upon ev-
cry division and branch Of the govern
ment Of the Philippines, therefore, must
be imposed these inviolate 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 with
out Just compensation; that IN all
criminal prosecutions the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy ana pupllc
trial to be informed Of the nature and
cause of the accusation, to be confront
ed with the witnesses against him, to
have compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his favor, and to have the
assistance of counsel for his defense;
that excessive bail shall not be re-
uuired, nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishment in
fiicted; that no person shall be put
twice in jeopardy for the same offense,
or be compelled in any criminal case to
be a witness against himself; that
sonable searches and seizures shall not
be violated; that neither slavery nor
involuntary servitude 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 peaceably assemble and petition the
government for a redress of grievances;
that no law shall be made respecting
an establishment of religion or prohib-
iting the free exercise thereof, and
that the free exercise and enjoyment
of religious profession and worship
without discrimination or preference
shall forever be allowed.
s'It will be the duty of the commission
To make a thorough investigation into
the titles to the large tracts of land
held or claimed by individuals or by re-
Iierious orders; into the Justice of the
claims and complaints made against
such land-holders by the people Of the
island or any part Of the people, and
to seek by wise and peaceable measures
Just settlement Of the controversies
and redress of wrongs which have
caused strife and bloodshed in the
past. In the performance of this duty
the commission is enjoined to see that
no injustice is done; to have regard
for substantial rights and equity, dis
regarding technicalities so far as sub
stantial right permits, and to observe
the following rules:
'"That the provision of the treaty #
Paris pledging the United States to
the protection of all rights of prop
erty in the islands, and as well the
principles Of our own government which
prohibits the taking of private prop
erty without due process of law. shall
not be violated; that the welfare of the
people Of the islands, which should be
paramount consideration, shall be
attained consistently with this rule OF
property right; that If it becomes
necessary for the public interest of the
people of the islands to dispose of
claims to property which the commits
sion finds to be not lawfully acquired
and held disposition shall be made
thereof by due legal procedure, In which
there shall be full opportunity for fair
and impartial hearing and judgment;
that If the same public interests require
the extinguishment of property rights
lawfully acquired and held due COM