The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-01-23
A Good Policy for All Concerned.

With the exception of a small number
of impracticables, the most prominent of
whom is the Hon. George S. Boutwell,
of Massachusetts, the American people
are agreed as to these propositions:
/. Our sovereignty over the Philippines
is valid.
.. That sovereignty involves serious OBJ
legations on our part toward the people
of the islands, various foreign powers, and
ourselves.
3. That 1t is our imperative duty TO
restore peace and establish order through
out the archipelago.
4. That this republic has no desire TO
Cypress any of the inhabitants, but ear
nestly wishes them peace, prosperity, and
the largest degree of liberty consistent
with the maintenance Of individual rights
and collective tranquility.
While agreeing in these fundamental
propositions, the American people dis
agree as to the question of how long
we shall retain cur sovereignty over the
Philippines. The administration policy,
Endorsed by many men of large influence
in every section who are not Republicans,
IS permanent retention. The policy of Mr..
BRYAN and his following is 'independ-
ence for the Filipinos under our protec-
ton" They hold that after we have re-
stored order We should permit the in
habitants to set up a government of their
own and protect them against outside in
reference. We do not propose any dis
cussion at this time of the issue raised by
these declarations of policy That sub
iect has been treated at length in these
columns on various occasions, and is not
likely TO be neglected in the future. What
We have TO say here and now relates to
one of the questions as to which Demo-
Gratis and Republicans are agreed, TO wit,
that we are bound to restore peace and
establish order.
That is a condition precedent TO any
determination of the future relations be-
tween the Philippines and the United
States. In Waging war on the Tagal in
surgents and in his determination TO wage
war on them so long as they are in arm
ed rebellion against the authority OF the
| United States, President Mckinley is dis
charging an imperative duty, is doing just
what any other man, Democrat or RepuD-
ucan, in his place would be compelled to
| do Were he 10 evacuate the islands, as
the Boutwells and Atkinsons demand he
would be impeacked and the nation would
be insufferably disgraced now and for all
time. Were he TO hold out to the insur-
gents Mr.. Bryans Independence under
protectorate," he weuld be a usurper. fol-
no President has a right to surrender OF
| 10 promise the surrender OF a single foo'
/ of ground over which the sovereignty oil
the republic has been extended.
The Post does not question the right OF
| free speech. The Post has, from thf
first. deprecated attacks on and abuse OF
/ the critics of the administration. There
are no copperheads, no traitors. no tories
in this country to-day. We are all loya
Americans. all faithful 10 the flag, all de-
voted 10 what we believe will best pro
mote the glory ana honor of the United
States and the welfare of humanity. Blu
in this. as in religion and all other mat
,ers of moment, different minds prefer
different ways OF accomplishing a com
mon purpose.
What The Post believes 10 be the bes
for all concerned-fOr this nation and 10
The Fnipinos-is that no doubt be left il
the minds OF tie insurgents that thei
true and only sensible policy is to stol
fighting and submit TO the sovereignty o
this republic. That accomplished, IN
issue of temporary versus permanent re
tention will be in order and the course o
events in the islands. in coming months
Will greatly aid a right decision OF tina
issue. We do not believe that any part
or faction can be injured, and We ar
sure that the interests of our home PEG
pie and the inhabitants OF the Philip
pines viii be promoted by such actio
and such speaking as will make Il i'm
possible for the leaders OF the Tagal in
surrection 10 doubt that uneonditiona
surrender is their best and only SAT
policy.