The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-10
CONGRESS, PLAN DUTY.

Of late the news from the Philippines
has been fairly encouraging, some, of
course. more SO than other. A
recent dispatch from Manila says:
Central LEzon is practically subdued,
the roads are open. and the inhabitants
are prosperous. The northern part of
the island has been the revolutionary
center since the elections in the United
States, but the troops there, aided by
1000 reinforcements, are rapidly quiet:ng
that part of the island. Even the La
drones, who are meeting with no support,
are surrendering Or combining their OPP
erations to isolated DISTRICTS Such
news comes in quite frequently,
and since the election with its demand
for favorable reports is os err it is quite
possible that it has some foundation in
fact.
l. it is true that the hottom has dropped
out of the Instruction; that the Filipino
leaders are coming over to the Americans
and a marked change in feeling is taking
place; if all this is true, it is certainly
cause of rejoicing for every patriot
whether Democrat or Republican The
bloodshed that has been going on there
must be matter of sincere regret to
every person of humane and Christian
feeling. That complete peace is immi-
nent, would be too good to be true; but
If there is such decrease in the hostiIi-
ties as to promise peace at no distant
future, the people have good reason to
be pleased.
In the meantime, however, it will not
do to abate one whit of our vigilance and
power in those islands Whatever ad-
vantages our army may have gained
must be held and extended with the
greatest possible energy. To drop any of
those advantages would mean to throw
away the blood and treasure with which
they have been won and to afford such
encouragement to the instruction as
could be overcome only at an enormous
cost in life and money.
The provisional volunteers in the Phil
ippines are about to return. 1t is the
duty of congress to devise ways and
means for securing new recruits to fill
their places at once. Any failure to make
such provision will avenge itself on the
party responsible for it. 1t is reported
that Senator Pettigrew will filibuster
against measures for sending men to the
Philippines. 1t is to be hoped that Pet
tigrew and his Populist and Democrat
colleagues know better. If they prevent
the administration from getting all the
men needed for the Philippines. the Re-
publicans will blame the Democrats for
any failure in those islands. Give them
all the men they want an they will
have to bear the entire responsibility, not
only for results, but also for costs At
any rate, the Democrats will have all
the advantage. If the administration
should secure favorable results, the cost
will be enormous and the details full of
blunders. In any case, its armor plate
will be so full of blow holes as to stand |
but little show against Democratic at
tacks
But the question of party expediency Is |
not the only one nor Ihe principal one. |
1t is question Of patriotism, pure and
simple, and the congressman that re-
tards the pacifying OF the Philippines
in any manner whatever is a traitor to |
his country. In. this connection Sena- |
tor Towne's position deserves to be COM
mended. He is reported as having de-
clared that the people have voted to put
down the war in the Philippines and,
therefore, expect congress to send out a
sufficient army for that purpose. This
view is certainly the correct and proper
one for congress to act upon.