The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-08-16
THE ARGUMENT OF OBLIGATION.
Also the Contention That Fiiipinos Cannot
Govern Themselves.

Govern Themselves.
If it is said that we have assumed
before the world obligations which
make it necessary for us to Derma-
nently maintain government in the
Philippine islands. | reply, first, that
the highest obligation of this nation
is to be true to itself. No obligation to
any particular nation, or to all nations
combined, can require the abandon
ment of our theory of government and
the substitution of doctrines against
which our whole national life has been
protest. And. second, that our obli-
cations to the EilipinOS who inhabit
the islands are greater than any obli-
CATION which we can owe to foreigners
who have Il temporary residence in the
Philippines or desire to trade there
1t is argued by some that the Fill
pinos are incapable of self government
and that therefore we owe it to the
world to take control of them. Ad-
miral Dewey, in an official report to
the navy department, declared the Fill
pinOS more capable of self government
than the CubanS, ana said that he based
his opinion upon Il knowledge of both
races But | will not rest the case uDOn
the relative advancement Of the Fill
pinos Henry Clay, in defending the
rights Of the people OF South America
to self government. said: 1T is the
doctrine Of thrones that man is too ig
norant to govern himself" Il
contend that it is to arraign the dispo-
Sition Of Providence Himself to sup
pose that He has created beings inca
pable of governing themselves, and to
be trampled on by kings. Self-govern-
IL, r.
men,
nit that some people are capable of
self government and that others are
not, and that the capable people have
a right to seize upon and govern the
incapable, and You make force-brute
force-the only foundation of govern
ment and Invite the reign of the despot.
Republicans ask: Shall we haul
down the flag that floats over our dead
| in the Philippines:' The same Uues-
ton might have been asked when the
| American flag fioated over ChaDulte-
pee and waved over the dead who fell
| there; but the tourist who visits the
| City of Mexico finds there national
! cemetery owned by the United States
| and cared for by an American citizen.
| Our flag still floats over our dead but
| when the treaty with Mexico was
| signed American authority withdrew
| to the Rio Grande. Can
we not govern colonies" we are asked
| The question is not what we can do,
but what we ought to do. This nation
! can do whatever 1t desires to do, but II
| must accept responsibility for what II
| does. If the constitution stands in the
| way, the people can amend the consu
| tuition. l repeat, the nation can dc
whatever it desires to do, but it can
not avoid the natural and legitimate
results Of its own conduct.
| 1t is of age, and it can do what i
, pleases: it can spurn the traditions o.
| the past; it can repudiate the yrinci
! pies upon which the nation rests; i
can employ force instead Of reason
it can substitute might of right; it cal
conquer weaker people; it can exploi
their lands, appropriate their propert!
and Kill their people; but it cannot re
| peal the moral law or escape the pun
| human rights.
ranny,
| Nor reckon the tyrantS cost!
| Who taketh another's liberty
| His freedom is also lost.
Would we win as the strong have eve
won
Make ready 10 pay the debt,
| For the God who reigned over Babylon
| Is the God who is reigning yet"
| Some argue that American rule il
the Philippine islands wilLresult in th'
better education of the Filipinos. b
not deceived. If we expect to main
tain a colonial policy. we shall not fine
It to our advantage TO educate the peO
| pie. The educated Filipinos are nov
| In revolt against US, and the most ig
norant ones have made the least re
sistance TO our domination. If we ar
to govern them without their coDsen