The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-25
OUR FOUNDERS OF GOVERNMENT.

Most Americans are so busy with their
own affairs or so absorbed in events going
on near and closely concerning them that
they lose sight of what is being done in
distant parts of the world for the honor
of the country. They hear vague reports
of what is going on in the Philippine
islands, but they do not realize what a
great work Is being done there in tearing
down and building up. in roofing out the
remains of generations of tyranny and
misrule and laying the foundations of re-
publican institutions and good government.
Those who are doing this work deserve the
admiration and gratitude Of the American
people because, In a large degree, they are
actuated by patriotic and unselfsh mo-
tives. Pioneers of American civilization
and p~ropagandists of republican govern
ment, they deserve all the credit that be-
longs to missionaries in a good cause. This
is true OF soldiers and civilians alike, from
the commanding general to the humblest
private, and from the civil Governor of the
islands TO his lowest subordinate. 1t is
Z equally true of the school teachers, those
already there and those ON the way, who
are enduring many privations and discom-
forts to lay the foundations of a public
free school system in the islands and TO
SOW the seeds of a future growth of
Americanism. There is not enough in the
pay alone to induce one of them to sur
render the comforts of life at home and
expatriate himself among strangers If it
were not that behind the pay there is a
high purpose to serve the country and a
noble desire to assist in planting repub-
lean institutions where they have never
existed before. Americans lin Gods coun-
try" who are trading. tr%afiicking. travel
ing. pleasure-seeking, attending to the
daily routine of life. enjoying the countless
blessings of well-ordered government,
should think OF these things. and. in their
minds at least. do full credit and honor to
those who are living strenuous lives in the
far East.
a hint Of the work that Is being done
there is contained in a volume OF go pages
entitled Public Laws and Resolutions
Passed by the United States Philippine
Commission During the Quarter Ending
| May 81, 1901" The personnel OF this COM
mission, by the way. sustains what has
been said as TO the character and motives
OF those who are working there. There Is
not a member OF the commission who did
not make a sacrifice in accepting the posi-
ton. The president Of the commission,
Hon. William II. Taft, resigned the posi-
tion of United States Circuit Judge to ac-
cept the other. Prof. Worcester, OF the
| University of Michigan; Gen. Wright. OF
Tennessee; Hon. H. c. Ide. Of Vermont,
and Prof Moses, OF the University OF Cali
| fornia. all relinquished lucrative employ
ments. From Sept. 1. 1900. the com mission
has exercised supreme legislative author
ity, including the passing OF laws regard
ing imports. taxation TO raise revenue and
public funds. education, civil service, the
courts. municipalities and appointments to
local civil offices. The present volume is
the third that has been issued containing
the acts of the commission. numbering al
| together 735. and covering a great variety
of subjects. An act amending the Manila