The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-14
GOVERNOR TAFT AND PRESIDENT
SCHURMAN.


Governor Taft testified long as to the
Philippines. He accuses the native Fill
pinos of being lazy and of course thrift
less. But he admits that the natives do
not desire a military government but a
civil government. He says the women
are more intelligent and industrious
than the men. and that all Filipino
crowds are we'll behaved and polite.
The Tagalogs are described by an army
report as industrious, courteous. artis-
tic, quiet and orderly" A very good
testimony that is indeed. He thinks
they are not Industrious. There are
some Americans who are neither ord
erly, quiet nor industrious. A year or
two ago American soldiers were burn
ing, destroying the homes of the in
dustrious Filipino women as many let
tiers from our soldiers reported. All
the Fflipinos are musicians. And yet
the war upon them continues as the war
upon the Beers by the British con-
tinues. When will it END? 1t requires
10000 American soldiers out in the far
away Philippines to preserve half order
and hardly a citizen OF Manila would
venture twenty miles from home ex-
cept under a strong military escort.
That does not indicate cordially, con-
idence, peaceful relations or the hope
of any solution except Philippine indie
pendence Ora military government for
decades to come.
There are but three parties out there
says Taft the federal. the conserva-
tive and the peace party. The New
York World asks p%ertinently If that
really is all? It is asked: What about
that portion of the population which
has been conducting pretty vigorous Of
fensive and defensive hostilities against
the United States during the last three
years and whom the old Spanish gov
was never able to subdue?"
He favors yet severe war meas
ures and that too after more than two
years Of slaughtering and q COS. to this
government Of more than, $500. 600. 900,
and the expenditure increasing large
ly every day.
President Schurman in his mon
ograph already referred 70 by The
Messenger. made a telling talk and it
is giving annoyance and vexatSon to
the bloody war-makers. President
Schurman does not hedge cK equivo-
cate in the least. He believes in true
republican principles and, therefore,
favors independence for the Fflipinos.
1t is knOwn that he was at TIE head Of
the commission and is the eminent
president Of the great Cornell Univers-
ity at Ithaca New York state. He holds
that oppression n warning upon
principles and mercy are not to be
thought Of and says:
mo political party will ever propose
so insane a programme; no statesman
will ever venture to advocate a. policy
so to American sentiment.
The case needs no arguing. The OBJ
j~ections to the plan are irsuperable;
the hostility to it ingrained and in
eradiCable-"
There is nothing between giving them
liberty and independence or subjuga-
ton complete and final. He hits hard
from the shoulder, and no truthful and
candid nan a deny what he says:
mo prospect of profit, however as
sured no wealth or advantage. however
colossal. could ever atone for the preci-
Gus American life-blood swallowed up
bv the hungry soil of Luzon and the
EisaYas. For such a sacrifice there is
only one justification. 1t is the dis
charge of duty. service in a righteous
cause. If our presence in the Philip
pines be not justified in its purpose
and intent, then our soldiers blood is on
our hands; ay, and all the blood. in
that case innocent. of the Filipinos We
nave fought, the misery we have caus-
ed their families. and the devastation
we have wrought in their homes.
Congress has a very great response
bility resting upon it now. Can it
measure up to what is right and pure
and just and Of good report"