The Indianapolis journal., 1901-07-01
FUTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Duty of the Present Generation In to
Hold Possession.

To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
May there not be good reasons why this
country should permanently hold the Phil
fppines other than the inferred ones of al
legged imperialists. jingoes and politicians,
who are assumed to be fertile In reasons7
OF course, we could carry on trade and
commerce with the islands without perma-
nently holding them. The several States
held trade relations with each other under
the old federation. as well as with foreign
countries. We should doubtless have con-
tinued sending corn and pork to the South
ern Confederacy had the Southern States
succeeded in establishing il, and of buying
cotton there for our New England factories.
In fact, we carry on trade with the world
generally. and no doubt will continue to
do so. And so. whether we may or may
not as we'll hold trade relations with the
Philippines with or without making them
permanently part of this country. does not
seem TO be a factor In the question whether
1t is desirable that they be permanently
held by not. If absurd comparisons
and iruendo counted for anything It could
be said that the bitter opposition to the first
line OF the Morse telegraph from Washing
ton to Baltimore does not now seem more
ludicrous than the present feeling" of
ippines will appear few years hence; I
say feeling" because the opposition thus
far has been too subtle to afford any reason
whatever. AS possession is said to be nine
tenths of question, probably 1t might be
as well to wait till some reason Is given
why the country should contemplate de-
parture some day from the archipelago
But feeling" that thing should be so
and so Is sometimes a very concrete promo
sition. and needs 10 be met
AS already intimated. nation is stronger
Wnen cemented by strong and Just organic
law. and when not divided into two parts
stronger TO impress its genius. its polity for
upliftng. and stronger in the face OF the
Maximilians and all comers who think they
have better. Massachusetts alone was
ilttle respected, and so was Connecticut and
Virginia. The first rope of sand" uniting
them In some measure was little better
But even the first thirteen would seem n
sorry power standing there alone now
isiana purchase, that region acquired from
MEXICO and others now added seem a
strong bulwark OF states of a common
country. The world did not know us TIL
the spanish closed. A nation cannot
pe TOO wide and strong II just. AS an orig
mai proposition we should never have con-
sidered tho acquisition OF the Philippines
in the act OF performing duty I'm war we
acquired them. Now IL Is hardly thinkable
that we would set up civil government
there. establish free school system, omen
manufacturing and commerce. thus induc-
PIE 10 20 there In all these educational and
civil pursuits, and then, with the natives
half nedged In just government. abandon
the Islands. But 10 Is said. we should not
abandon them 10 themselves TIN they are
ready and capable OF maintaining good
government. III history Is worth ANYTHING
~ should teach us that with such n people
IL Will take more than half a century TO
establish good and stable government there
III that Is true. the question Is one to he de-
cided by the next generation Would II not
os wise. tnen, 20 so on and do the duties
or this generation and let the next one do
what seems best when they take hold OF
the work?
The establishment of new form of gov
ernment, or course, Involves the idea %
overturning an old one. and overturning
means opposition OF the people who have
been Twins under u. Consider for a mo-
ment what would be the effect under such
conditions OF new government with
string 10 it-a declared purpose or under
s.analpg that after q DIT OF eNempllhcaton
IN the new system II was our purpose TO
withdraw. The statement OF such a propo-
tition shows It's ahsurdlty. with strong
leadership. drastic measures OF authority
and even miraculous manifcstations OF
power FOR their good. without n hint of
sosssmen' s .,,,, ct me new order Of things forty
enough time To break the old desire 20 re.
turn 10 Egypt and 20 into slavery again
And all THIS or people reckoned on
higher plane than the people ~ the archi-
pslago. In that Instance discipline under a
new soyernmsn. aa, Tor more than an average
ol Its operations History IL abundant I'm
Illustration OF these things In the march
OF the world toward better things IL Il
likely that many OF the present generation
tnhabiting the Philippines may be made
tnir citizens OF the new government with
the aid OF just but strong authority lead
fne, but real consent Of the governed"
under Just powers" will appear when n
new generation has been educated and
grown up under the spirit as we'll as letter
OF H. 10 would seem 90 be present duty to
20 forward With THIS without hint OF abate-
hent or limitation.
The only other position OF plausible reason
Tor II n that occupied by the New England
Junto which. Tor the sake OF us four and
no more, believes the Nation was or
dained FOR US that the ocean shores are
The territorial limit and that outside the
consent OF the governed is the correct
fule whether the practice be might makes
right and ennnibnlism prevail or the devil
takes the hindmost This even la tho face
of centuries OF experience and observation
that the order has been the overthrow OF
the nations which have not advanced. by
better ones. and their absorption ALWAYS
resulting In better and better conditions for
humanity. The only two theories OF this
whole matter are epitomized In the wicked
question asked centuries ago. Am / my
brothers Keeper JOHN IL. CONNER
t@aisnsoolis. June %