Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-12-05

task for nation to achieve the tempera-
mental qualities without which the insti-
tutions of free government are but an
empty mockery. Our people are now sue
cessfully governing themselves, because for
more than a thousand years they have
been slowly fitting themselves, sometimes
ward this end. What has taken thirty
generations to achieve, we cannot expect TO
see another race accomplish out of hand,
especially when large portions of that race
start very far behind the point which our
ancestors had reached even thirty genera
lions ago. In dealing Win the Philippine
people we must show both patience and
strength, forbearance and steadfast resolu-
ton. Our aim is high. We do not desire
to do for the islanders merely what has
elsewhere been done for tropic peoples by
even the best foreign governments. We
hope to do for them what has never before
been done for any people of the UroplcS-tO
make them fit for Self-goyernment after the
fashion OF the really free nations.
History may safely be challenged to show
a single instance in which a masterful race
such as ours, having been forced by the eX-
igencies of to take possession of an
alien land, has behaved to its inhabitants
with the dsinterested zeal for their prog
resS that our people nave shown IN the
Philippines. To leave the islands at this
time would mean that they would fall into
a weller of murderOus anarchy. Such de-
SertiOn of duty on our part would be
crime against humanity. Th1 character OF
Gov. Taft and OF has associates and subor-
dnateS is a proof If such be needed, OF the
sincerity of our effort to give the islanders
n constantly increasing measure of self
government, exactly as fast as they show
themselves fit to exercise it. Since the
civil government was established not an ap-
pointment has been made in the islands
with any reference to considerations of po-
litical influence, or to aught else save the
fitness of the man and the needs OF the
service. The only fear is lest in our over
anxiety we give them degree of fndepend-
ence for which they are unfit, thereby in
viting reaction and disaster. AS fast as
there is any reasonable hope that in a
given district the people can govern them
selves, f-gOvernment has been given IL
that district. There are still troubles
ahead in the islands. The resurrection has
become an affair OF local oandlttl ana ma
RAIDERS, who deserve no higher regard than
the brgands Of portions of the old world.
Encouragement, direct or indirect, to these
inSurrectOs stands on the sanSe roofing as
encouragement to hostile Indians in the
DAYS when we still had Indian wars. Elk
actIy as our aim is to give to the Indian
who remains peaceful the fullest and
ampleSt consideration, but to nave It I'M
derstood that we will show no weakness if
he goes on the warpath, so we must max"
it evident, unless we are false TO our own
traditions and to the demands of civilfza-
ton and humanity, that while we Will do
everything in our power for the Filipino
who is peaceful, we will take the sternest
measures with the Filipino who follows the
path of the insurrecto and the TsdroRe.
The heartiest praise is due to large nuDl-
bers of the natives of the islands for their
steadfast loyalty. ne Macabebes have
been conspicuous for their courage and de-
vetion to Tue flag. The president recon
mends that the secretary of war be en-
powered to take some systematic action in
the way of aiding those of these men who
are crippled in the service and the families
of those who are killed.
The vast natural wealth Of the islands
must be developed, and the eapital willing
10 develop it must be given the opportuni-
ty. The field must be thrown open to in
dividual enterprise, which has been the real
factor in the development of every region
over which our flag has flown. 1t is ur-
gently necessary to enact suitable laws
dealing with general transportation, min
ing, banking currency, homesteads, and
the use and ownership of the lands and
timber.
Attention is called to the need of a cable
to Hawaii and the Philippines, to be con-
tinued from the Philippians to points in
Asia.
FOR AN ISTHMIAN CANAL.
No single great material work which re-
mains to be undertakes on this continent
is of such consequence TO the American
people as the building OF canal across the
isthmus connecting North and South Amer
lea. Its Importance to the nation, is by no
means limited merely to its material eff
fects upon our business prosperity; and yet
with view to, these effects alone it would
be to the last degree important for i'm
mediately to begin it. While its beneficial
effects would perhaps be most marked upon
the Pacific coast and the gulf and South
Atlantic states, it would also greatly benefit
other sections. 1t is emphatically a work !
which it is for the interest of the entire |
to begin and complete as soon as |
possible: it is one of those great works
which only a great nation can undertake !
with prospects OF success, and which when |
done are not only permanent assets in the
nations material interests, but standing !
to its constructive ability. The |
president is glad to be able TO announce
that our negotiations on this subject with
Great Britain have resulted III a treaty |
which if ratified will enable US to begin
for an isthmian canal at any
time and which guarantees to this nation
every right that it has ever asked in con- |
nection with tue canal. In this treaty, the |
Old CLAYTON Bulwer treaty, so long recog- |
nized as inadequate to supply the base for |
the construction and maintenance of a nee !
American ship canal, IS abrogated !
1t specifically provides that the United |
States alone shall do the work of build |
ing and assume the responsibility Of safe |
guarding the canal and shall regulate its !
neutral use by all nations on terms of |
equality without the guaranty or interfer |
ence of any outside nation from any quar- T
ter. The signed treaty will at once be laid /
before the senate, and If approved the con- |
gress can then proceed to give effect to the |