Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-12-24
The PbiIippines as They Are.

One of the most timely and eloquent,
and it may be said, thoroughly instruc-
tive speeches. that has been made dur
ing the present session of congress was
delivered last week by Congressman ID.
A. De Almond of Missouri, on the Phil
ippine tariff. As Judge De Almond is
Just home from the Philippines, he
speaks. advisedly, which fact lends
special interest in his observations.
The topic of Judge De Almonds
speech may be taken from the sentences
in reference to the Philippines, What
we acquired in folly, we can dispose OF
in wisdom" The policy that has been
pursued with reference to our insular
possessions, was termed as un-American
undemocratic, unrepublican and imper-
ialistic. calculated to cause disaster to
America. 'We are legislating now" de-
clared the speaker, "after the manner OF
the empire. We are moving with the
swiftness of armed battahons. We are
suppressing debate, we are striking
bIindlv. in stpid confidence, in utter dis
regard of the rights of American citizen
ship. the rights of the Filipino and the
rights of the American representative
This body has been adjourned more days
than it has been in session since IT met
two weeks ago. 1t Is not for lack OF
time that debate upon this most lmPor-
tant measure is denied
II is new departure. 1t Is Plung-
inc blindly over a precipice; 1t Is SAIL
ing. without chart or compass, for an I'M
known port over an unknown sea Who
can tell the effect of this legislation
Who can tell the end of what you are so
precipitately beginnngy Who can fore
see the outcome? Who can promise
safety? Who can measure the depths Of
disaster that may follow legislation so
hasty. so i'll considered, so unusual, so
unAmerican. so undemocratie, so unre-
publican, 80 imperialistie?
"How well might a little time be de-
voted to the consideration of such a
policy as this. How easily might there
be opportunity given to all who have
views to express them. Why deny the
right of amendment! Why suffer a
crude bill, to be rushed through by the
brutal power of the majorityf You
should desire legislation sound and good.
You have your majority to carry your
measure through. If anything can be
offered, upon this side, or upon that
side to better the proposed measure,
why exclude it, why cut it of? Why
not let US consider it? If your measure
in itself is the best that can be evolved
by the intelligence of this body you have
your majority behind you to pass it.
as this wholesome legislation? Who
knows what the legislation is, except in
a few of its arbitrary and drastic fea-
lures? a Philippine tariff bill is made
by Philippine commission sent over
from the United States; and we have
the spectacle actually presented here of
the representatives of the American peo-
pie abdicating their high right and power
TO legislate upon everything concerning
which the congress of the United States
can legislate and take up and swallow
whole, without consideration and with
out possibility of digestion, the product
of this PHILIPPINE commission-approved
by the secretary of war-legislation un-
der the military power-legislation out
side the constitution-legisla arbi-
trary and ne-sided-legislation of aliens
for aliens-legislatio of a handful of
strangers from beyond the seas for, TO-
100000 people over in the Philippine is
lands. Not an item of it to be consid-
ered-not change to be made in it
not fact to be learned about it-all to
be taken in a lump. And what is to be
done in the end! Where is this to lead {?
Are gentlemen going to maintain perma-'
nently a system of colonial government
in the far east!
Thus after referring to the manner in
which the legislation for the new pos
sessions was being rushed through con-
gress, Judge DE Armonds went on to
dwell upon the original error involved
in the acquisition of the islands. Said
he:
Il deny that the acquisition of those
islands can be credited to the necessity
of war or torany necessity whatever.
There was no necessity upon us to take
them; and there is no necessity upon us
today to retain them We acquired