Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-10
America Through Filipino Spectacles

The American case with respect to the
Philippines has frequently been stated here
at home by orators and writers, and our
course in the islands well justified, but Dr.
Tavera of the Filipino visitors in his ad-
dress last evening, stated 1t in way which
Tor CONTINGENCIES and felicity must carry
comfort and assurance to US all. He has
spoken words which should, and will COM
mand the country's attention. He has in
sured for himself and his countrymen our
higher consideration. and contributed ma
terially to furthering the happy relations
which row exist between the two peoples.
With regard to the revolt against Ameri-
can sovereignty after Manila had been
| taken DR.. Tavera said:
In tie Philippines we knew nothing of
you. We lived under government that did
not permit us to know what was being done
III the outside world. 1t was government
which ruled through fear, and we lived I'M
der government which imposed upon us
civil ana religious tyranny. To the extent
that we We're accustomed to that kind of
tyranny we feared that 1t would be con-
tinued under the American rule and be far
worse.
I'VE did not know at the time of the
beneficent purposes that animated you, and
no man can condemn us for fighting when
We were under that erroneous impression
But so soon as we learned what these pur-
poses were we were glad to accept these
conditions"
Then followed words with meaning and
pathos far beyond the ordinary:
None Of you can appreciate the emo
tiens that welled up within US when our
eyes rested upon the White House, within
WEcse walls your beloved President Nc
kinley evolved the intention of stretching
out his beneficent hand to raise: us up to
the plane upon which you now stand and
place within the ha1fafs hot
have In this great country"
When we remember what was said of Mr.
Mckinley by some of his own countrymen
about this matter; how he was held up to
scorn as tyrant tool in the hands of
greedy spectators, the sentiment of this
Filipino gentleman, speaking with full
kr owledge Of the fact accomplished, be-
GENES at once an eloquent tribute to the
dead and a burning rebuke to the living
trsducers.
Are we blessing. a curse, in the Phil
ippnes? Should we hasten away, or stay
for the fulillment Of our purposes? DR..
Tavera said:
Some nations have colonized for the
purpose of extending their religious be-
liefs; others with the intention Of extend
ing their commercial and industrial inter-
ests; but you have carried these principles
OF liberty and democracy to the peoples of
the countries where you have placed your
foot and your flag. You are great teachers
and / want to assure you that you will find
the Filipinos apt pupils. who will absorb
what you teach them and benefit by your
instructions. And accept also as Amer
leans our hearty thanks and gratitude for
the benefits which you have accorded and
will hereafter accord to our country.
I'VE desire to return most cordial and
heartfelt thanks for this warm and cour-
teous reception, and although 1t Is true that
American and Philippine blood has COM
mingled on the soil of the Philippines fight
| ing against each other, when American and
| Philippine blood is shed again, as 1t prob
| ably will be, and mingles in one stream, 1T
will be fighting for a common cause as
| brothers in defense of your glorious flag.
| that has brought US all these benefits and
| which from now henceforth is also ours
And so we have this native proof that
| America in the Philippines does not spell
tyranny and oppression. but opportunity
and progress for the people; that we are
known not by professions but by works; that
the stars and stripes is the emblem there
of what IT is here. and that the Filipinos,
as we are at home, are willing to fight for
It, And what makes these assurances OF
all the greater value is the fact that these
visitors in whose name they are 50 well
spoken will return home with more infor-
nation than they have ever possessed be-
fore about the American people and their
institutions, and will thus become mission
aries in behalf of constantly increasing
good understanding between the two coun-
trias