The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1900-06-16
WRAT We SHOULD %.

from the scriptures. In this realm
of reasoning there are vast fields
of general suggestions, which COM
mend themselves to many excellent
people. Unquestionably there is a
great division as to the mode of
carrying them out. Many persons
believe that to build up great free
government in the Orient is a
splendid work. Many persons
think that to take free institutions
to a people that has been enslaved
is noble thing to do. To trans
plant Our benign laws to the Phil
ippines, to divorce church and state,
to establish common schools and:
colleges, to bestow individual free
dom on the people-these are great
and honorable ends. Say that we
ere all agreed ON these principles,
there still remains a consideration
Of the mode of accomplishment.
The anti-imperialist says, II
would require all foreign govern
ments to keep out of the islands. "
now would you do that if you gave
them independence? What right
have you got to interfere with the
action of an independent country?
Are you the Don Quixote of the
world TO break a lance for all peo-
pies? Is there a particular text of
International law which authorizes
you, having no material interest in
a country, to intervene for a whim
of the diseased imagination? When
ever your rights under international
law are touched wrongfully, light
the fuses and prepare for war; but
do not wander around the world al
ways attacking the governments of
other peoples, always fostering in
surrections, always boasting Of
yourselves.
We so-ca1led imperialists desire
as ardently as the anti-imperialists
to keep foreign nations from secur-
ing ownership of the islands, and
in order to do so we think we ought
to hold and keep them as for our
own. We are advised to "offer to
the people of the Philippines our
help in maintaining order until
they have had a reasonable oppor-
tunity to establish a government of
their own" If we today announce
to the Filipinos that we intend to
hold them for only a reasonable"
t;:ae, we shall by that announce
ment give the reins to anarchy.
Every foreign merchant will leave
the islands. He will not live under
Filipino rule. Every native who
is now for US will turn against us
1t is the opinion of Gen. Otis, re-
Gently expressed, that the war has
been largely fomented by profes
sional politicians, who expected tc
make a fortune out of the agitation
The property owners, says Otis
are tired of the struggle, but they
: implore us to remain in the islands
They anticipate anarchy when VIZ
: leave, which will end in absorption
by foreign power.
If we announce That we intend t.
; hold the islands temporarily only
no native who is now friendly will
, ever befriend us. The Tagalo ant
many of his friends in this countr.
claim that this very day he is cap
able of governing himself Withou
: our assistance. If it is right tha
| these people should be independent
: why postpone the day? According
: to recent utterances, their state pa
, pers are the finest in the world, an,
= they possess every qualification fo
E independence. This is nonsense
: of course, but it is pleasing to tn
S ear of the professional agitator.'
: If, after all the fighting, we an
a nounce that we are beaten, W
e shall be considered as trespasser
Il and intruders, and such we shall b
It because if we are not going to hol
a the islands we have no bushes
.szIa-ekas,I SN1Ii