The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-03-06
The NATIONS DUTY.
Establishment of American Authority
In the Philippines Cannot Be
Neglected.
SENATOR FAIRBANKS. TALKS OUT

Speaking to the Question of a Philip
pine Tariff Bill, Indiana's Senior
Senator Urges Congress to Uphold
the Administration in Its Efforts to
Deal Fairly With the Natives.
Following is the address of Hon.
Charles w. Fairbanks, United States
senator from Indiana, speaking on the
Philippine question in the senate Fri
day, Feb. %:
"Mr. President, it is with some re-
luctance that l enter the cyclonic at
mosphere of the Philippine debate. A
sense of duty alone impels me to ven
ture some observations upon The ques-
tions which have been discussed upon
the pending bill.
1.-The discussion has taken wide
range, covering many subjects not
germane to the measure before us,
and we have long been familiar with
many of the arguments made. In fact,
we have heard most of them at fire.
quent intervals since the treaty of
Paris was laid before the senate for
its ratification.
"One question, however, which was
argued at length and with ability
and vigor has not been conspicuous
thus far in the present discussion;
that the question of our constitutional
power to acquire and hold the Philip
pines. Those who detained the senate
by profound and learned observations
upon our want of constitutional capa-
city to hold the fruit of our arms and
our diplomacy are confronted by the
judgment of the supreme court of the
United States in the insular cases, in
which our power to hold and govern
is authoritatively established.
Sir, the great questions before us
should be considered without passion
and without prejudice; they should ap-
peal alone to our higher and better
Judgment. The way to their solution
is not always plain, for we are walk
ing in unfamiliar and untried paths.
We are remote from the theater of
action, and must in the very nature of
the case see conditions through other
eyes.
The Greatest Danger.
"The greatest danger we have to
fear in dealing with the Philippines
is not insurrection in the islands, but
political exigencies in the United
States. The danger is that parties
may seek to make issues CT conditions
in the islands, and that our course
there will be determined too often
by supposed party necessities here
In fact, the danger is that our domes-
tic policies at home may be shaped
with reference to OR course in the
Philippines. Party lines are drawn
and we are arrayed upon one side or
the other OF the question according to
our party afhllatlOnS.
with respect to some very material
aspects of the question, we are in
entire accord. Speaking largely, the
matter of difference between us is as
to the immediate declaration of our
future permanent policy in the Phil
ippines. The opposition demands
that We should now declare our ulti-
mate purpose to retire from the Phil
1ppine Islands when stable govern
ment is established. retaining only
such military, naval and coaling sta
tions as may be designated by the
United States.
ut seemed to me from the begin
ming that our chief danger in dealing
with the new problems before us was
1nconsiderate haste, immature conclu-
sions. We are dealing with new ques-
tions; we are unable to turn to our
past national experience for precedent
to aid us in their solution. "The pro-
foundest and wisest among US can see
but little way into the future. We
are in manner cropping our way,
guided by clear and lofty conception
of those fundamental principles of per-
sonal rights and individual liberty
which have been our guide in dealing
with territory and with people who
have come to us since the Louisiana
purchase in 1903. Our course has
never been harsh and tyrannical or in
disregard of the principles of human
liberty upon which our institutions are
predicated. Both sides of the cham
Der are agreed as to the commanding
necessity of remaining in the Philip
pines and of establishing peace and
orderly government there. After our
army and navy overthrew the Spanish
power it became incumbent upon the
United States TO hold disorder and
Anarchy in check, compel obedience to
the authority of the United States
wherever it was resisted, and to give
the people orderly and stable govern
ment. modelled, SO far as practicable.
after our republican institutions.
I'VE are dealing with people who
have not been educated in the princf
pies of self-government and who have
for centuries known nothing but Span
fish rule. poor education, indeed. for
the duties and responsibilities of re-
publican government. How long we
shall be engaged in the work of erect
ing such a government in the Philip
pines as is contemplated by both sides
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