The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-10-18

a promise of independence, but if it
did not our own interest demands
that we be relieved of the Filipinos
just as soon as they are reasonably
prepared for Self-government. A col
ony holding nation is ever subject 10
expensive wars with other nations ana
with its colonies. This neceSsitates
strong garrisons and powerful navles
and draws heavily upon the treasury.
And, history records no instance OF
nation receiving from her colonies
anything like an adequate return for
the blood and treasure spent. Eng
lands nationa! debt was doubled by
the revolt of the thirteen colonies 1t
had cost her SO much to secure:
1.-The American expansionlsts
allege that annexation of the
Philippines must promote prog
ress, foster commerce and indus
try and introduce the leaven OF civili-
zation into backward and inferior
race. The evidence of history is to
the contrary. Certainly the claim
will not be made that we can ever get
back the money that has been taken
from the pockets of our taxpayers.
and wasted on the Philippines, ana il
is alike certain that but two classes
of our people can hope to be benefit
ted by our holding the Philippines.
the class which is always hunting for
special government privileges. and the
class which seeks to make of office
holding a means of livelihood.
\ Few Hard Nuts.
"The latter class in the Philippines
comprise some officials of whom d stu
dent of conditions there recently said:
'Of the character of many in office too
little cannot be said. At the best they
have been efficient; at the worst ois-
honest, corruEt AMI dcSpotlc. Inc IS
lands seem to have succeeded in get
ting the very dregs Of our people.
HE also said: The situation III the
Philippines today is so terrible that II
1asses the comprehension of people at
home
IL ask of the Republican party
whether. if the administration OF the
United States should be continued in its
hands it proposes to undertake 10 ap-
ply any remedy. Will ii enact Tor the
I'hilirpir.es proper statutes regulating
their affairs with some view to their
interest? VIII it give their pe":SEing
relief? Will it give them tariff regula-
lions under which they can exist?
I'VE hoId the Philippine Islands.
Have We taken proper steps to fulfill
the obligations therein assumed? Are
the Philippine Island today self-s'lp-
::urtirg community? Are their efforts
tC ward acquiring such position en-
bal raised at every turn by the leSiSla-
ten We lave forced upon them? HaC
we left them 10 their own devices they
night have dealt with foreign nations.
Had we brought them within the
United States of America they might
have dealt with us. Today they can
CO neither.
''Where are the Philippine markets?
Where the development of the natural
resources? Why should not those is
lands assorted by all. and conceded by
all, to have great natural resources be
l warn the RepubI-
can party that l. is not an unhcard
OF proposition that an oppressed
use the term advisedly, an oppressed
people, should be FESTIVE.
The true questions which have con-
cerned our relations with the Philip
pine Islands from the moment of our
taking them and which remain today
utterly untouched for any good to the
islands themselves. and the questions
which will regulate their future-in
ether words, the real basis on which
the Philippine Islands interest us po-
litically are: the Philippine tariff,
Philippine taxation and encouragement
to their shipping interests. These
matters regulated to the advantage of
these islands, Philippine independence
will appear on the immediate horizon
Continue rs we are doing u Cypress
these people, and one of the most
veXed questions that this nation has
ever been called upon to deal with will
confront us Unfortunately.
But aside from the duties We owe
the Philippines to aid them in prepare
ton for the enjoyment of the blessed
privileges we possess, we should guard
carefully against the danger to our
selves, of sOcialiSuc policy History
teaches that from reDublicaniSts to
imperialism the movement is gradual,
Democrats not at once perceived of
the people it's ominouS progress when
discovered leaves open but two courses
submission or resort to violence.
THAT our people may never be
compelled to choose between these
fearful alternatives. should be our
prayer but we should work as well as
pray And our work should be to
guard the foundation on which our
government rests. It's basis is that of
declare ideas--ideas that are stronger
than battleShips and armies--iCcas
which for more than century have
stimulated our development, and which
have given promise that our world
mission shall be not to seize the terri
tory # distant peoples, and r9le them
With 4 sccpto1 of iron, but to cs;db-
fish truth, and honor, justice ana peace
among the nations.
we must chose whether within or
borders the basis of government shall
contil ue to be this idealism, or a ma
terialism which IS the sure precursor
Cf dissolution, for no nation can en-
Gure upon a basis of materialism. how
ever splendid. Prudence requires
that choice be made in time. The