New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-03
or mR- scHrRz,s INVENTION.

To tha mass meeting held in Boston on MON
dav rnder the auspices Of the New-England ANU
In1nerialist League Mr. Carl Schurz cohtrlou'eN
a letter in which. after rehearsing his own views
on the topic of the evening, he wrote as loNo"s'
And what does the President say IN ms speeet
Of acceptance? He simply repeats the ploLIt prom ~
often made OF enlarged local SELF inc -
81 PhiIinnines under American dominion: put
he too cautions against the discussion OF the
subject OF independence as If IL were the Aol ''0
den fruit. not to be touched
II will he noted that Mr. Schurz did not make
that positive statement under the loose re-
straints of extempore oratory, but in written
communication deliberately composed, Yet the
statement is untrue In the Presidents speech
Of occentance there is not one single word wmcn
directly or by implication cautions against the
discussion OF the subject of independence as II
81 were the forbidden fruit not 10 be touched
We do not say that Mr.. Schurz stopped TO viii
full Misrepresentation, but, if he pleads not guilty.
10 that charge he must confess that he was
cu,pabIv ignorant Of subject on which he was
assuming to instruct others.
The probability seems 10 be that Mt Schurz'
wishing 10 make use of a carelessly formed i'm
preston. shirked the duty of ascertaintng what
The President had actually said on the Philip
pine question in his speech OF acceptance. But
what humiliation it must be to man who IS
DESTROYS of being regarded as wise, honorable
and unselish counsellor in public affairs 10 be
caught in such situation. The Presidents ref
erence 10 the Philippines was so candid and in
all respects so admirable that we are glad 70
reproduce it IN full:
Our foothold in the Philippines greatly
strengthens our position in the competition for
the trade of the East; but governing the
Philippines in the interest of the Philippine
people themselves. We have already given them
a large share in their government, and our pur-
pose is TO increase this share as rapidly as they
give evidence of increasing fitness for the task.
The great majority OF the officials OF the islands.
whether elective appointive, are already
native Filipinos We are now providing for a
legislative assembly. This is the first step he
taken in the future; and it would be eminently
unwise to declare what next step will be
until this Srst step has been taken and the re-
suits are manifest. To have gone faster than we
have already gone in giving the islanders a con-
stantly increasing measure of self government
would have been disastrous. At the present
moment to give political independence to the ISL
ands would result in the immediate loss Of civil
rights, personal liberty and public order, as re-
CARDS rhe mass of the Filipinos for the ma
jorty of the islanders have been given these
great boons by us. and only keep them because
vigiantly safeguard and guarantee them.
To withdraw our government. from the ISLANDS
at this time would mean to the average native
the loss of his barely won civil freedom. We
have established in the islands government by
Americans, assisted by Filpnos. We are stead
fly striving 10 transform this into self gOvern-
rnent by the Filipinos, assisted by Americans.
That is what the President said about the
Philippines in his speech Of acceptance. and all
that he said. 1t is enough. and ii is exactly
right. No one who hopes. with Mr.. Charles
Francis Adams, that an honest and intelligent
opposition will sooner or later be evolved out OF
Democratic chaos can fail to regret the disabili-
ties which still prevent Mr. Schurz from render
ing valuable assistance in the promotion of that
object.