The independent., 1903-09-17

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/ Editor Independent: An Associated
press dispatch OF August 28 from the
University OF California stated that
Professor Bernard Moses, a member
Of the United States Philippine COM
mission since April, 1sv0, said in an
address at large university meeting:
Our position in the Philippines is
such that, although education brings
rebellion and war. we are obliged to
insist on education. Even war is bet
ter than peace that can be maintained
only by ignorance"
An Associated press dispatch is us
Tally reliable. But, in this instance.
there is certainly a mistake some
where. Education promote war? Inn
possible! Philippine education foster
rebellion? Never! Were we not told
again and again by President McKin-
ley that it was only the ignorant Fill
plnos who began and continued hOstili-
ties against our sovereignty? Did not
the great and good Mckinley repeat
edly tell us that, just in proportion as
American education extended its ben
eficent influence in the benighted
Philippine archipelago, the misguided
natives would lay down their arms
and gladly be our loyal subjects? And
las not His Accidency, the Rough
Rider, frequently echoed these assur-
ances of his noble predecessor? What
man in his senses can doubt the truth
OF statements emanating from sources
ct such infallibility? Education en-
courage war in the Philippines? Per-
ish the thought!
But. to be serious, Professor Moses
statement is perhaps the most signif-
itant admission made by any member
of the American Philippine oligarchy
since that institution was established
on the ruins of the Philippine repub-
lie, and constitutes a striking COM
mentary on the wisdom Of our ben
eyolent assimilation"
In his speech Of acceptance at Ind
August s, 1900, Mr.. Bryan
said:
If we expect to maintain colonial
policy, we shall not find it to our ad-
va ntage to educate the people. The
educated FilipinOs are now in revolt
against us, and the most ignorant ones
have. made the least resistance to our
domination. II we are to govern them
against their consent and give them no
voice in determining the taxes which
they must pay we dare not educate
them, lest they learn to read the Dec
laration of Independence aud mock us
Fer our inconsistency"
Education is, indeed, as a rule, an
tagOnistic to war. But to this rule, as
10 others, there are exceptions. IN
telligence resents master. In pro-
portion as a man is educated, he rebels I
against arbitrary control. In the de-
gee that a people become enlightened,
,hey chafe under foreign yoke Mr..
Rryan was right-as usual. Ii we
seep the Filipinos in indefinite sub
lection, and at the same time hinder
peaceful agitation for independence,
We shall eventually have to send SOL
der with every schoolmaster, unless,
indeed, we pull down the schools
Themselves. We may be sure that the
tuick-witted Filipino students will
sot be slow in detecting the miserable
;ophistries by which we have at
empted to palliate bloody war OF
conquest and an autocratic govern
::ent. Every school we build in their
country will but strengthen their nat
ral love Of justice and stimulate their
for government
We may not be just enough to grant
'hilippine independence willingly. But
hall we be foolish enough to con-
inue the same old futile war which
lespotism has ever waged against lib Il
rty? Fifty years ago there was an
conflict in the United
'tates. There is now an irrepressible
onfiict in the Philippines. The
american people will be wise to gov
rn themselves accordingly.
JOHN SAMPSON. !