Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-08-17
FUTURE STATUS OF THE FILIPINO.
What Are We to DO with Him Now That
We Have Him

The Republican platform assumes
that the Philippine islands will 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 citizen or n subject? Are we to
bring into the body polite eight or ten
million Asiatics, SO different from us in
race and history that amalgamat ton is
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 Nc
Emery resolution, adopted by the SEN
ate immediately after the ratification
OF the treaty, expressly negatives this
IDEA. The Democratic platform de-
scr1bes the situation when it SAYS that
the Filipinos cannot be citizens with
out endangering our civilization. Who
VIII dispute it, And what is the alter
native? If the Filipino is not TO be q
citizen, shall we make him n subject?
On that question the Democratic plat
form speaks with emphasis 1t de-
ciares that the Filipino cannot be n
subject without endangering our form
OF government. \ republic can have
no subjects.
The Republican platform saws that
"the largest measure of self-woyprn-
ment consistent with their welfare and
our duties shall be secured TO them
(the Filipinos) by law" This is y
strange doctrine for government
which owes its very existence to the
men who offered their lives rs a pro-
test against government without con
sent and taxation without representa-
ton. In what respect does the position
OF the Republican party differ from the
position taken by the English govern
mcnt in 1IIG? Did not the English
government promise n good govern
ment TO the coloniSts? Did
not the English government promise
that the coloniSts should have rIle larr-
est measure OF lf-governmcnt CON
sistant with their welfare and English
dutieST The Republican par
ty has accepted the European idea and
planted itself upon ground taken by
George Ill. and by every ruler who
distrusts the Capacity Of the people FOR
self.-government or denies them n voice
In thir own affairs.
The Republican platform promises
that some measure of self-govcrnment
Is TO be given to the FHipinos NV law.
but. even this pledge is not fulfilled.
Why does the Republican
party hesitate to legislate upon the
Philippine question! Because n law
would disclose 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 may be cxpected
when the American people are brought
face To face with legislation upon this
subject:
IL the Porto Ricans. who welcome
annexation, are to be denied the guar
antee OF our constitution, what is IN
be the lot OF the Fllipinos. who resisted
our authority? II secret Influences
could compel n disregard of our nlaln
duty toward friendly people. living
near our shores, what treatment will |
those same Influences provide for nm. !
friendly people 1000 miles away? II |
ia this country where the people have
the right to vote, Republican leaders
dare not take the side OF the people
against the great monopolies which |
years. how can they be trusted TO nro- |
tect the Filiplnos from the corpora- !
tions which are waiting To exploit the
Islands?
Is the sunlight of full citizenship n |
be enjoyed by the people OF the United |
States. ana the twilight of seml-citizen-
ship endured by the people of Porto |
Rico. while the thick darkness OF ner
petual vassalage covers the philin- |
pines?
The Porto Rico tariff law rs,
serts the doctrine that the ON |
Grafton of the constitution Is confined |
to the forty five states. The Democro fic |
party disputes this doctrine and de
nounces 1t as repugnant TO both tho |
letter and spirit OF our organic law
There Is no place in our system of GOV.
ernment for the deposit of arbitrary |
and irresponsible power.
The territorial form OF government is |
temporary ana preparatory, ana the |
chief security n citizen OF territory |
has Is found in the fact that he enjoys |
the same constitutional guarantees. and |
IS subject to the same general laws as
citizen of a state.
Throw away this security and his
rights viii be violated and his inter-
ests sacrificed at the demand of those |
who have political influence. This is
the evil OF the colonial system, no mat
ter by what nation it is applied.