The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-23
diction in its world wide journey to
their shores

|
their shores"
Mr.. FAIRBANKS submits that this hon.
orabe purpose has been carried out Mill
tary rule has been quickly succeeded by
civil authority The people of the islands
have been invited as soon as possible to
participate in the work of government
The judicial system has been improved
Corruption has been driven out, public
schools have been established, and the
people are already enjoying consider
able measure of self-rule, Attention is
directed to the fact that Congress has
authorized representative assembly
to be chosen in due time by the inhabi
tants Of the islands. The Senator from
Indiana suggests that the ballot box is
not sign of imperialists, and that no
one need feel any grave concern with
respect to the future of the archipelago,
if our Federal Government goes forward
inspired by the same worthy aim which
hitherto has characterized the Republi-
can Administration. 1t is certain he
says, that the people of the Philippines
have learned not to distrust US. Neither,
in view of the work we have accom-
plished need we distrust ourselves.
Mr.. FAIRBANKS does not fail to indi-
cate what to many Democrats seems a
fundamental and conclusive reason why
we should not, at the present time, or
at any date to be fixed beforehand,
agree to treat the Filipinos precisely as
the Cubans were treated. The Filipinos,
unlike the Cubans, are very far from
being homogeneous in respect OF race,
language or religion. They represent
every phase of civilization, from savagery
up through various grades OF barbarism,
to the moderate degree of education pos
sessed by a small fraction Of the people
in Luzon and in some of the Visaya
islands. 1t is plainly impossible that
a uniform scheme of self-government
should be applied Unfortunately to
communities so differently constituted.
That is why, in the interest, not of our
selves, but of our wards. it is our duty
to withhold the concession of absolute
independence for an indefinite period.
Such concession at this time, or at any
time within close range of vision, would
be no blessing: it would be curse.
Mr. FAIRBANKS closes his reference to
the subject by meeting the objection
that our retention of the Philippines
does not pay 1t has not yet paid, and
it may never pay. Those who may think
that such an admission disposes of the
question are reminded that the United
States did not go to war with Spain for
dollars and cents. They are reminded
that when a national duty had to be
faced the United States have seldom
considered the cost. The Senator from
Indiana does not hesitate to predict that
when the history of our country is writ
ten it will exhibit no brighter page, or
one which in contemplation will yield
more pleasure and satisfaction, than the
one which relates how we discharged the
grave responsibilities growing out OF the
war with Spain. The archipelago I'M
doubtedly belongs to the United States
The title thereto is vested in this Govern
ment by virtue of the treaty of peace
negotiated and ratified according to the
requirements Of the Constitution. The
responsibility, therefore, for the admin
istration of the islands rests upon us,
not as n matter of sentiment, but as a
solemn duty imposed by the obligations
of the law.