The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-12-13
NEW
Self Government for All When They
Are Fit.

the territory on the traditional American
lines. We wish a healthy American COM
munity of men who till the farms they
own. All our legislation for the islands
should be shaped with this end In view.
The land policy should be modelled on our
homestead system.
1t is hardly more necessary to report
as to Porto Rico than as to any state or
territory. The island is thriving as never
before, administered efficiently and hon
estly. Its people enjoy liberty and order.
Iheir material welfare must be carefully
and jealousy considered. We have given
them free access to the markets Of the
United States. I ask attention to legis-
lation concerning the public lands Of Por-
to Rico.
In Cuba such progress has been made
toward independent government of the
island that before the present session Of
congress closes this will be accomplished.
Elsewhere I have discussed the question
of reciprocity. In the case of Cuba, how
ever, there are weighty reasons why the
and I ask attention to the wisdom, the
vital need, Of q substantial reduction in
the duties on Cuban imports into the
United States. Cuba has in her constitu-
ton affirmed that she should stand, in in
ternational matters, closest to us, and we
are bound by honor and eXpediency to
pass commercial measures in her interest.
A Larger Problem.
In the Philippines our problem is larger.
llley dIe very IlCu lTOplCul 1SlalUS, IN
habited by varying tribes of widely diff
ferent civilizations. Our effort is to help
these people upward. We hope to max
our administrator honorable by making
1t benefit the Filipinos themselves; and
as an earnest of what we intend to do,
we point to. what We have done. Already
a greater measure Of prosperity, Of gov
ernmental hon sly and efficiency. has
been attained i the Philippines than ever
before.
1t is no light task for a nation to achieve
the temperamental qualities without
which free government is but a mockery.
Our people are successfully governing
themselves, because for more than-a thou
Sane years they have been fitting them
selves. What has taken US thirty genera
lions we cannot expect to see another
race accomplish out of land. We must
show patience and strength. forbearance
and resolution. We hope to do what has
never before been done for any people of
the tropics-to make them fit for self
government after the fashion Of the really
time would mean that they would fall
into a welter Of murderous anarchy.
Such desertion would be a crime. The
character Of Governor Taft and his as
sociates is a proof Of the sincerity Of our
effort to give the islanders a constantly
increasing measure of self government,
exactly as fast as they show themselves
fit to exercise IT. Since the civil govern
ment was established not an appoint
ment has been made with reference to po-
litical influence.
In our anxiety for the welfare and prog
ress Of the Philippines it may be that
here and there we have gone too rapidly
in giving them local self government.
There need not be fear Of our not contin-
uing to give them all the liberty for which
they are fit. There is not a locality fitted
for self government which has not re-
ceived 1t. But 1t may we'll be that in GER
tain cases it will lhave to be withdrawn
becapse the inhabitants show themselves
unfit to- exercise it; such instances have
already occurred.
No Real Rebellion Now.
The Instruction has become an affair
OF local banditti and m~arauders, who de-
serve no higher regard than %brigands.
footing of encouragement to hostile In
dams. We must make it evident that
while we do everything in our power Tor
the Filipino who is peaceful, we will take
the sternest measures with the Filipino
who follows he path OF the insurrecto
and the ladrone.
number of natives for their loyalty. The
Macabebes have been conspicuous for
their courage and devotion to the flag. I
recommend aiding those crippled in the
There should be additional legislation
for the Philippines. Nothing better can
be done for the islands than to introduce
Industrial enterprise. Nothing would
benefit them SO much: as throwing them
open to Industrial development. OF course
no business mar will go into the Philip
pines Unless II Is 10 his interest," anu It IL
to the interest Of the islands that he go
in. 1t is necessary that the congress pass
laws by which the resources Of the Islands
can be developed; SO that franchises (for
limited terns) can be granted, and every
encouragement given to business men.
The franchises must be granted only I'M
der regulations against improper exploita-
ton. But the islands must be developed,
and capital must be given the opportunity.
1t is urgently necessary to enact suitable
laws dealing with general transportation,
mining, banking, currency, homesteads
and theg use n ownership of the lands
and timber.
I call attention to the need of a cable to
Hawaii and the Philippines, to be cor
Asia. We shouId not defer construction
of such a cable. Congress shout provide
for construction of a government cable,
which the advantages may be secured by
contract with a. private company.