The aegis & intelligencer., 1902-06-20
CONSISTENT CHRISTIANITY.

CONSISTENT CHRISTIANITY.
The Baltimore Methodist, in re-
cent editorial on the Philippine ques-
tion, takes a view which to say the
least is of rather a startling nature;
and as much as we dislike to take
opposite views with our esteemed
contemporary, the editors of which
we claim as our personal friends, yet
we feel that sense of duty compels
us to criticise the stand taken by this
excellent paper. It speaks in conf
mandatory tone of the recent Senate
bill which has been passed for the
Philippine Islands, "extending to
their inhabitants the Constitutions
Bill of Rights excepting the right to
bear arms and the right of trial by
jury" To this our friends have not
added the privilege of the ballot for
the bill practically prohibits any
native from exercising the right of
franchise. The calm and cool manner
in which some ofthe dearest privileges
that are inherent in the human breast,
are thus ruthlessly swept aside by
Republican administration, is en-
dorsed by those who profess to put
the banner of Christianity, which
means equalrights to everyone ahead
of everything else, is past compre-
hension. 1t was regarded as dis
tinct step in the march ofcivilization
when the right of a trial by jury was
wrested from an ancient ruler far
back in the dark ages, and yet a
denial of this privilege meets with
the hearty approval of those whose
opinion we should have the highest
respect.
Praise is given President Roosevelt,
who faithfully followed in the foot
steps Of his predecessor, President
Mckinley. "Great has been thepro-
gress made towards pacifcation and
development of the islands. Though
scarce three years have passed since,
by treaty they became subject to the
United States, courts and public
schools have been established, one
thousand American and twenty-five
hundred Filipino teachers being en-
ployed in the latter; roads, harbors
and public works have been provided
for; municipal and provincial govern
ment instituted; police and constabu-
larry constituted, the effect of the ex-
istence of which has to a large extent,
caused the disappearance of ladron-
ism; new tariff adopted; a postal
system inaugurated and extended as
rapidly as the peculiar difficulties of
communication will permit; a health
department and agricultural bureau
and the survey of public lands or
ganized; in short, a work ofvast and
most enlarged sphere begun and
maintained the effect of which has
been most potentially upon the life
and character of the Filipino"
The article may we'll go on to say
in this "pacifcation" was included
an order of one of the commanding
generals "to burn and kill all above
ten years." and Major Wallar who
has just returned from the Philippine
Islands has confirmed the report that
in Samar that order was faithfully
carried out. 1t was decreed that
this country should be made a howl
ing wilderness, it's people murdered
by soldiers and the homes burned
above their heads, and we have his
faithful assurance that the work was
we'll done. While this ''pacifcation"
has been going on, our good friends
forget to mention that refined torture
known as the "water cure" This
possibly was not so savage as the
embrace of the Spanish Maiden or
the thumb screws of the Inquisition.
Yet we are informed that the results
were just as satisfactory and in most
cases the life of the victim was spared.
General Sherman's march to the sea
hasbeen condemned as being crueland
brutal, yet the details ofthat memora-
BILE trip are tame when compared with
what is daily going on in the Philip
pine Islands.
While it may be necessary to civilize
by fire and sword yet it does seem
unusual to see those who are the
followers of One who never caused
anyone pain, to stand by and uphold
the hands stained with the blood of
innocent savages. All of the many
privileges that have been extended by
this wise? and benefcient? govern
ment are not appreciated by the
average Filipino. He may be COM
pared to the lion captured in the for
est and placed in the gilded cage to
be hauled around with some travel
ing menagerie. No doubt his sur
roundings present more pleasant
appearance to the on-looker, but the