The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-07-20
The Philippines.

The Philippines.
A plank of the Democratic Platform touch
ing the disposition of the Philippine lslanos
insists that we should do for the Flllplnos
what We have done for the Cubans. ana tnal
IL is our duty to make such a promise no"
with suitable guarantees Of protection 70
citizens of our own and other countries res
ident there at the time of our Withdrawal. II
states further that we should set the Filipino
people on their feet, free and independent, 70
work out their own destiny. The Flilplno
has had a taste OF self government. and the
result Ia that he Is afraid oflt. Now he would
like very much to have self government II
he had at the same time the United States
Army TO back him in keeping In line all
malcontents Is, and In subduing all insurrect-
ors and in guaranteeing protection to his life
and property. This In reality Is the sell
government the Filipino is clamoring for
today. The Republican administration has
treated the Fllipinos with more considera.
tion than they deserve, In many Instances
the government has made pets OF them.
Almost every thing they ask Is granted eX-
cept self government. The Government
holds out its franchises and begs the Filipino
10 take them when Americana are begg ing
Tor them.
When the commercial Junta of Iloilo
asked some concessions In behalf OF that city
the Governor wrote back 1.-The Philippines Tor
the Filipinos." When the apprentices,
young Filipinos, in the government Printing
office in Manila asked that the Government
give them boys to wash type, handle ink
sweep and dc the disagreeable work Of the
Offices, the government granted their request
which is more than they would ave done
here.
The fault of the republican party is moi
in its treatment Of the Filipinos. They have
been treated like lords. The trouble lies in
the Republican policy Of developing the
Islands. Now comes the Democratic party
wanting to throw away all the work the
Republicans have don because it was done
by Republicans-discard the Philippines
liberate tie Filipino, when today he is treel
than he ever was or will be, If he Is turned
over TO himself at this time.
From the Democratic point o
view It would seem that the Cubans anc
Filipinos are one and the same people, bu,
such is not the case. There are no Sultans
no slave holders, no head hunters in Cuba
The Cubsns have no Malay blood in theiI
veins. and what would be good policy
touching one might not be good for the other
No. The thing for the Democrats to do Is Il
revise the tariff; let In Chinese labor; anc
thus encourage capital TO come to the Island
This would do more to wake the Filipino
from his lethargy than all else besides. HI
don't work; then make him work or starv'
him. and the Chinee is the man to do it. lie
the Government grant franchises to Amerf
cans to build railroads, run steamboats,, GU,
ii mber, mine, etc.. and the Filipino will thel
come to his senses and go to work; at pres
ent he knows nothing about such industries
and doesn't care TO know. Surrounded BY
tropical aff1uence he Is satisfied to exc on
an existance rather than risk a Peso on in
dustries of any kind. We agree with Gov
Taft in his message. The Philippines for th'
Filipinos, but we 60 further and say the
Philippines for the Filipinos and Americans
Let us derive SO me benefit from the Islands
We nave paid q good price for them in bloot
and money and we should reap some reward
The Philippine Islands produce a great many
things which cannot be produced here anc
some things which are not produced else
where in the world.
AS a business proposition We should inlro
duce into the Islands energetic labor and
develop their resources. To turn them loose
absolutely Is TO lose forever the millions WI
nave expended on them. To develop the n
by an aggressive policy ofinterval improve
menL will in time bring to this country
certain reward.