Evening star., 1900-10-05
coMMERCIALrsM IN PHILIPPINES.
It's True Aspect az q Factor for Pro.
gress and Happiness.

| To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
| The opposition to the established order OF
| government would often soften the vicious
ness OF chronic kicking by outcries Of
| righteous horror at some imputed moral
| detection in the conduct Of affairs. AZ
| fecting ultra-zeal in disinterested regard
| for the broad welfare Of mankind they de-
cry every semblance Of selfish motives In
present administration, and refuse to con-
slider the possibility of higher ethical
| promptings purposes
TO De specific in a single instance illus
| tratlve OF a persistent practice in this line
re1er TO the super-sensitive utterances Of
| many who condemn the commercial phases
| OF the Philippine question, and charge the
| government with only soriid aims in MAIN
| tanning claim to the islands. Without dis
| cGssing the clearness, certainty and right
| ness OF our title to the Philippines, would
| invite attention to a single feature of the
| question which appears to be little consid-
| cred, yet of no small moment in determin-
| ing our attitude in the matter.
Grasping greed is not defensible, nor is
| commercial advantage the highest ethical
| consideration for shaping a policy. But
the law of life is not arbitrary. nor does 1t
| adhere to the rules of moralists-it is the
circumstances is the apostolic standard Of
! conduct. The accomplishment of human
veal is the Christian code.
The peculiar conditions of the Philippine
situation make it exDedient to emphasize
| the industrial and commercial phase even
with other than sordd aim: for thereby
Will the Filipinos be most readily and eff
fectually approached and impressed favor
ably toward the new order.
1hey know. from over three centuries Of
experience, the despotism of a military
arm and the tyranny of perverted ec-
clesiasticism. They are naturally resentful
toward both, and suspicious of whatever
partakes of either. If the United States
would reach them with a better cviliza-
| ION thn oh b. IL t.
manner.
| Spain did not develop the Industrial or
commercial possibilities of that country,
| but, rather, discouraged enterprise by i'm
posing burdensome taxes upon every indi-
cation of Improvement. By developing in
| dustry and extending commerce will the
| people be given different aspect of civili-
"a ton from any hitherto presented to them.
duct readily responds to that. While slow
to originate, the Fflipinos are quick to
initiate. They will take to industrial i'm
provement which they observe. and will be-
come interested in commercial affairs. Sus-
picon will disappear, and resentment for
get itself. The genius of Americanism is
| the fostering of individual and collective
good, in peaceful pursuits. Industry and
prosperity have not time for idle conten-
tions, nor Indictment to rebellion.
The establishment of factories, the de-
velopment of industries the enlargement of
commerce. will be the correct expedient for
multiplying disaffection, and for unifying fac
tions, among the Fiipinos. And in this
way will be fulfilled high ethical purpose.
The soldier will be hated by many, and
the missionary distrusted. But the engi-
neer, the manufacturer, the manager of
affairs, will find welcome. The civilization
they represent will be respected. In time
prejudice will give place to fellowship. and
the Filipinos will become loyal to their
new governors, not conquerors, but liberia
tors and advisors.
To this very endeavor Is this admin.stra-
ton working AS soon as possible in every
locality, is the militant expression Of au-
thority subordinated to the civil. And, in
general, there, the civil commission already
has first place AS here, so there. will the
military arm be used only in emergency, to
protect the peaceful sway of the civil ad-
ministration And that administration, as
here and everywhere beneath the stars and
stripes, will be for the ''life, liberty and
pursuit of happiness" of all who cherish
and appreciate them. NJ. E. SLOANE.