Cañon City record., 1904-09-08

The problem of the Philippines 10 how
most thoroughly and quickly to teach the
people of the great archipelago OF the
Pacific self-govenment: such self-gov-
crnment as Americans enjoy. first, in the
territories, and then In the States OF the
Union.
The essnyists and agitators who are
weeping and wailing over our new east
ern possessions are the representatives of
that self-distrust which weakens individ-
uals and nations.
What are we going to do with the
Philippines?" shrieks the sentimentalist
Of the arm chair and slippers?
We are going to do as we would be
done by" answers the sturdy spirit of
American manhood.
But the Philippines should be indie
pendent9' moans voice choked with
emotion.
I'VE are teaching them self-govern-
ment," is the rejoindcr.
The American people are not quit
ters." Nor are they subject to the emo
tioual distress and anaemic apprehen-
sions of hystcrical or senile persons We
have a plain duty before us In the Phil
ippines NOW. To do our work there to
the best of our present ability is our
tnsk. We can trust the future to the
sons and daughters Of the American ma
ton.
What IL the Revolutionary fathers had
stopped in the midst OF their war for
Independence to debate whether their de-
scendants would worthily acquit them
selves In the new liberty to be granted
them? What IL the liberators of millions
OF slaves had stayed their God-directed
hands to listen and reply to arguments ms
TO the fitness of the colored people for
lives ms human individunlsf
The great forces which rule the uni
verse work by human means. The in
strumentA- are imperfect. but grided by
great ideals man has accomplished won
ders for his race. The Spanish war
threw upon the great American republic
an unexpected. even unwclcome. burden
Of responsibility. A vast country, peo-
Piled like our own. by inhabitant. ranging
from high civilization to naked savagery.
cnme into our possession. and with Il
came immense responsibility. To shirk
that responsibility Is impossibly un-Amer-
ican- We have taken Il upon US. and we
shall carry It ns bravely and hopefully
as II 10 our custom to carry the trusts
laid upon us as 4 nation.
To teach self-Eovernment there, m we
understand II In the United States, Is
our task We are building and opening
free public schools: teaching sanitary sci
ence and the necessary rules for public
health; showing the way to complete re-
ligious freedom and tole-ation; fighting
savage tribes In remote districts, to pro-
tect the lives aud property OF all who
live within the borders of our national
authority. Such is our work to-day.
Upon the ancient growth of Spanish
civilization. in the towns and cities we
| 70 .(
ism. Does anyone doubt the ultimate
effects of such a process. after what has
been done upon our own continent within
the last hundred yenrsl
The dealing with the natives of the ISL
nnds Is n serious and puzzling affair. but
who is better fitted thnn our nation, nour-
ished, ms II IL. by grent ideals. for such
work? The world has come to SEQ
that the savage Is but man In his child
hood: that like a child he must be pro-
tected. taught, borne with and led into
the larger life OF maturity. In Ameri-
can life are the elements for the saving
and civilization Of the most remote tribes
of the Pacific islands; let us trust our
selves, and give ear no longer TO the
nuEuries and omens of those who have
faith neither In God nor mnn, but who
continually cry out upon nil that IL done.
or wished or hoped for by the workers of
the world.
One thing at time aud every day for
Its work. Is n good rule In government. as
II is in the life OF nm Individual. The
thing to do with the Philippines IL to
help them forward In the world-to In.
spire, guide and govern them In accord
ance with American ideals and traditions
A to the future we can trust future
Americans and future Filipino -Ameri-
cans. This is the full extent OF our impe
rialism there.