The Irish standard., 1901-10-12

they are no longer Spanish possessions
is not an argument that Spain must
not be thanked for their conversion
and civilization. The youth who has
passed beyond the limits of childhood
and the parental roof is still indebted
to his parents for their labors in his be-
half. =
After giving credit to the Spanish
for their attitude toward the aborigi-
mes, for their treatment of them as
members of the human family, with
capacities for improvement, as we'll as
souls to be saved, and after reminding
the reader of the Anglo-Saxon's lack
of humanity towards the natives whom
he regards as degraded, Seminar clear
ly sums up the results of the two sys-
TENS progress of Nations): 1.-The re-
suit of the Catholic policy is that the
Indians and mixed breeds of the Cath
Ole nations of America now number
more than twenty millions, while
among the Protestant peoples Of the
|
ces they number but little over half a
million. The question arises, which is
the humane and Christian, and which
the worldly and selfish policy?" My
reference to the magnificent work of
the Spanish missionaries in elevating
the population of the Philippines, ad-
mittedly an inferior, race, from savag-
cry and idolatry, into their present
state of Christian morality and en-
lghtenment has caused Rev. Hambly
to stigmatiZe them as illiterate and
immoral. He quotes from the Taft
commission, as if their report proved
conclusively the lack of education
among the Filipinos. Let us see. What
Is the condition of the Filipinos in re
gard to education?
The noted French scholar, Jean
Reclius-Nouvelle Geographic Univer
selle-gives his estimate of the condi-
ton of the Filipinos: "The Filipinos
are the most civilized people of the
Orient. The friars have civilized
them" Thus it is seen that the Filipi-
nos have nothing to fear from a COM
parison with their neighbors in the
Orient.
According to the report of the Unit
ed States Bureau Of Education for
1888, "Not only were colleges and
schools in Manila, but in other is
lands" In 1867 there were -four col
leges in Manila, one in Cavite, one in
Ceylon and two in Marianne-ten in
ALL Professor Blumentritt, a Ger
man ethnologist, states: "The num-
Der who attend the secondary schools
and universities is relatively very
large" A British subject, and resi-
dent in the Philippines for fourteen
years, thus writes Of the glorious work
of the friars: "They have brought the
Filpinos a long way on the path of
civilization. Let us be just; what
British, French or Dutch colony, popu-
LIKED by the natives, can compare with
the Filipinos as they were till 1895?
(A1r. Il. Sawyer, "Inhabitants of the
Philppines.') Phelps Whitmarsh, spe-
cial commissioner for the Outlook, and
a man who is not favorable to Catholi-
cism, has this to say, Feb. "a, 1000:
I'm Manila, about so per cent of the
native population can read, write and
can do simple arithmetic. In the
provinces the percentage of
those who read and write is between
so and CO."
The marvel is that the Spanish mis-
sonaries have succeeded SO well with
those Malay tribes. The Spanish be-
gam their work in the Philippines some
years before THE British made settle
ments at Jamestown and Plymouth
Nearly seven millions of Christian Fill
ipinos still remain to enjoy life, lib,
erty and the pursuit of happiness" but
where are the descendants Of Pow
haitian and N1assasoit in the land Of
Puritans? They neither read nor write
for they have been dispatched to the
"happy hunting ground beyond the
setting SUM-" And what about the
masses Of our people? Is there moth
ing to be desired in the universal edu-
cation of our own beloved country?
Why should Rev. Hambly so abroad
for illlteracy? We have 1t at our doors.
The negroes and the Glow white trash"
in some parts Of our Southern states
would certainly not edify an investi-
eating committee, nor fill them with
admiration for our educational system.
Some modern furniture" some good
text books" and, let me add, some
good catechisms Of Christian doctrine,
are sorely needed by millions Of Prot
estant mountain whites OF the South
who, for booishness, brutality, ignor-
mcc and moral degradation may safe
ly defy the world.
We have seen the Protestant mis-.
sionary system ut work in the different
parts of the world, and we have noted
its characteristics everywhere-rac
spoliation, race degradation and race
determination. Even Protestant au-
thors, who would naturally. wish it to
succeed, have stiglnatized it as cruel.
unjust and degrading. 1t has had