Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-09-12
PORTO RICAN WALL
THE PORTO RIGA "HERAlD" ON
SITUATION OF ISLAND.
The People Want Benefits Of American Citizen
ship. Is Well as the Burdens.-The Evils
Of imperialism Already In Evidence on
the Island.

Among the resources employee by tie
adulatOrs Of the administration itself,
to deprive the Porto Ricans OF that in.
fiuence in their own county which right
fully belongs to them, none is go false
and so ubiquitous as that which attri-
Lutte to them hostile designs and dis
migrating hatred which no one has
ever entertained, entertains now or can
entertain in the conquered island.
In Porto Rico there is not single
citizen-we will answer COR it-who sup
poses possible resistance, active or pas
sive, to the powe. OF the United States.
More: the inhabitants Of the island, who
are as intelligent and az acute as any
Ie)ple, know that the economic future Of
their country will unfold itsel' brilliantly
under the f ,g which to day protects her
commerce with the world.
1t is true that in the heart Of that I'M
happy pee pc, as in that Of every Feop'e,
palptates the sentim ant of independence,
the sentiment which produce the war
OF this country with the mother country
in l776, and which was the cause, in
Europe and in America, of so many
deeds of valor and heroic sacrifice. Por-
to Rico, il she we're in condition to
have national life OF her own, would
fight to possess it without fear of death !;
otherwise che would be the meanest cor
ner OF the planet.
But the facts oppose any such a..
tempt's and we, the descendants of
lace who filed history with the brilliancy
OF their exploits, recognize the existence
of these facts, and we recognize it with
Che calm assurance that since Porto Rico
cannot be free and Spanish, it is expedi-
ent for her to he American.
Thus far we can speak only OF ca|cu-
lation and expediency. 1t is neither
Just nor logical to talk of fial affection
or enthusiastic sympathy. And the rea-
son is obvious. When the army of the
United States arrived on the shores Of
the island it was received with rejoicing
and applause. The inhabitants knew
the legend of American liberty and hapi-
ness and they felt the longing to be free
and happy under the flag which tloated
over the vessels OF Sampson and of
Schley.
How easy thing it would have been
FIR tn. COVE nment to keep and to aug
lnent the spontaneous affection Of the
people of the island 1t would only
have been necessary to continue the
Traditions Of Washington and jefferson
to respect the autonomy which it en-
joyed, to make our municipalities what
the municipalities Of MARYLAND and
Nebraska are, to abstain from interven.
ing in purely local matters, to convoke
and direct elections that should have no
shadow Of partially, 10 exercise, in fine,
broad control, legtimating it, not by
force, which is brutal, but by the popu-
lar sanction, the affection and the respect
OF the masses.
The honor OF the United States de.
mani this. The contrary was done.
The island expected prosperity, and it is
in ruins; it expected democratic insti-
CutAOuo, dAu GllO ROWCI 10 OClus CC1tI0>
liz ID and municipal franchises are dis.
appearing: it is expected to work under
the protection OF perfect order, and dis
order is lis normal state, and there are
no guarantees for honest men; it ex-
pected to gain in its change of national.
ity, and self government is taken from it
and Foraker bill given it IN which
everything is for Americans and nothing
for Porto Ricans.
These are not titles to the gratitude
and esteem Of Il country. How can con-
tidence and affection be demanded OF a
people who find that they have been be-
trayed themselves and made the victim
OF a lamentable error. crushing fatality :?
A change Of system, then, is required;
a different policy must re pursued !;
ample concessions must be made to the
fegionalist tendency-as England has
made them to Canada and Australia
instead Of burdening the buget with a
swarm OF useless and noxious adventure
ers, wise and judicious governors must be
appointed, who will not make personal
feeling ground and motive Of their con-
duct; ties OF interest between the nation
and the colony must be created, instead
OF trusting entirely to the prestige Of
bayonets.
When this is done-and we believe
that it will be done-attection and conf
dence'will return. Until then-if we are
are allowed to be sincere-and even il
we are not allowed, We will talk Of cal.
culation and self interest, since Porto
Rico can find no other means OF justify.