New-York tribune., 1901-03-13
SOME FILIPINO LOGIC

There were recently read in the United States
Senate certain resolutions which were adopted
In July last by the representatives Of n number
or towns in Cehu I'm opposition to the establish
ment Of American authority In that island
They We're presented 10 the Senate with the
somewhat grandi0Se statement that i'm form and
substance they were honorable as any resoIu-
tions which an equal number of towns in Massa-
chusetts could produce and they have since
been cited as fine examples OF the superiority Of
Filipino statesmanship over that Of the United
States. Had II not been for such extravagant
praise the resolutions would have attracted no
more attention than has been given 10 other
similarly illogical and empty fuIminations As
IL is. AT risk Of eariness. though perhaps with
some little admiXture of amusement and pity
II may he worth while 10 examine them seri-
ously and 10 analyze their extraordinary logic
The first resolution expresses desire for the
blessings of liberty-to which. Of course no ex-
ccptiOn can bo taken-and an aspiration 10 terri
tOral and political independence. There is no
attempt 10 prove that the blessings of liberty
cannot be enjoyed under American rule. nor any
to set forth reasons why the island should he
made Independent of the government which
alone under the laws OF the world exercises
legitimate authority over it. Passing by the
tory in terms. find in the second resolution
this remarkable statement: That we desire
peace. order and tranquility. and thus do not
"agree 10 the establishment of a municipal
system which is not satisfactory to the people,
''for 10 recognize n sovereignty which the CON
science repels IL repugnant reason, because
Eve do not know what the American Congress
will establish" That is somewhat mixed, but
If il means anything ii seems to be- first that
the new government which the United States
proposes to establish is not satisfactory to the
people, and, second, that they do not know what
kind OF a government IL is or is 10 be. But If
they do not know what il is. how can they say
il is not satisfactory to them? Again. in the
third resolution, the Cebuans declare that they
"are willing to accept any honorable form of
government within the sphere of liberty" If
they do not know what ''the American Con
gress will establish how do they know its
system will not be IAN honorable form of gov
ernment within the sphere of liberty, such as
they say they are willing TO accept? Finally. in
the fourth resolution. they express admiration for
the American people. "because they are essen
italy democratic, and. besides have good
system of government" and they declare their
desire Ito follow in the footsteps of the Ameri-
cans" If, then, the American system is good,
and democratic. and satisfactory to the Cebuans.
why do the Cebuans say they do not know
what Congress will give them, and that anyway
il will be unsa satisfactory and repugnant, al
though they are ready 10 accept any honorable
form of government within the sphere of lib
erty? 1t would seem more rational for them to
ascertain what the American proposals are be-
fore rebelling against them. and meantime their
most natural assumption should be that the
proposals of this democratic" people. with its
good system of government" in whose foot
steps they desire to follow will be proposals for
ian honorable form of government within the
| sphere Of liberty.
! We are not inclined 10 he eensorious toward
! these resolutions because IL would be unreason-