The Tupelo journal., 1904-10-28

republican party came IutO cAlstcuCc
dedicated, among other purposes, to the
great task of arresting the extension OF
human slavery. Arresting the extern
sion of human slavery that sounds well.
But it speaks of the virtue of another
generation. All the leaders of the re-
publican party of that day have passed
away. In their place have come diff
ferent men. We need not point out
that which principally differentiates
them. 1t readily suggests itself. But
we will refer to one Of the results Of that
difference.
Enormous Expense.
"After our utter defeat of the Span
iards, the republican administration
paid to the vain oppressor of the un-
conquered Filipino $50. 000, 900 for this
uncertain option on this victims lands,
tenements and hereditaments. In the
attempt to bolster the option we have
wasted over $3.50, 000, 900 more Of the
peoples money and sacrificed over 300
900 lives.
"And the waste of money and the sac
rifice of lives are not yet ended, II the
policy of the administration is to be
continued indefinitely. That policy re-
fuses to promise independence for the
islanders, now, or at any time, or upon
any condition. 1t does not even leave
open the door of hope.
"The administration rails at the DEM
ocratic proposal to promise them indie
npndonnn &C Cnnn oc thnU are nrQnqrpd
for it. Indeed, it suggests to 80, 000, GOO
of intelligent people that such a prom
Use would stimulate the vicious to
be more vicious, instead of encourag-
ing the improvement which would Sc
cure them what they most desire on
earth-freedom.
Bondage for Filipinos.
Il but state the proposition. 1t ar
CUES itself. If our people agree that
the administration is wrong in threat
ening by it's silence that which it I'M
doubtedly intends-namely: perpetual
bondage for the Filipinos, the remedy
is in their hands. We could have do
mated to Spain a number of millions
and annexed Cuba with equal justice,
and less suspicion of imbecility than
we displayed in acquiring the Philip
pines.
But we have done our duty to
Cuba. We have left her to work out
her own salvation-to take her place
in the march of civilized nations.
Shall we forbid the Filipinos to hope
fA~ -,InnA,Iooao0 Chal1 xua nraynnt
their building up their W civiliza-
ton, and try to force ours upon them?
Civilization is a growth, not a dis
guise. Every race must work out its
civilization in its own way.
"Our duty to the Filipinos demands
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 to
expensive wars with other nations,
and with it's colonies. This necessi-
tates strong garrisons and powerful
navies and draws heavily upon the
treasury. And history records no in
stance of a nation receiving from her
colonies anything like an adequate re-
turn for the blood and treasure spent.
England's national debt was doubled
by the revolt of the 10 colonies it had
cost her so much to secure.
Evils of Expansion.
"The American e~Xpansionist, fol-
lowing EuroEean argument, alleges
that annexation of the Philippines
must promote progress, foster COM
merce and industry, and introduce the
leaven of civilization into a backward
and inferior race.
"The evidence of history is to the
contrary. Certainly the claim will not
be made that we can never get back
the money that has been taken from
the pockets of our tax payers and
wasted on the Philippines. And it is
alike certain that but two classes OF
our people can hope to be benefited
by our holding the Philippines, the
class which is always hunting for spe-
cial government privileges and the
class which seeks to make of Office
holding a means Of livelihood.
1.-THE latter class in the Philippines
comprise some officials of whom a
student of conditions there recently
said: OF the character of many in
office too little cannot be said. At the
best they have been inefficient, at the
worst dishonest, corrupt and despotic.
Tho scyo p1c cnnrp ~ hona c,AnnoIal
in getting the very dregs of our peo-
ple.'
Terrible Picture.
"He also said:
1.-The situation in the Philippines to-day
is so terrible that it passes the comprehen-
sion of people at home.
Alphabetically the country is for the
time ruined. Land is going out of cultiva-
ton. The population is ill-fed, and, in
. some places, unable to get work. The coun-
try is overburdened with taxation; dis
ease is prevalent; the farm animals dead;
the towns in many places in ruins; whole
districts in the hands of ladrones; the
price of products poor and unremunera-
tive.
Public opinion has no free expression:
newspapers are bought up or are brow
beaten into silence: men of influence who
c~riticise the commission are ostracized.
the plays produced in the theaters are GEN.
sored; there is not an organ OF expression
Of the popular voice that is not controlled.
In private life men are subject to a com
plete, f~ar-reaching, thorough system OF
espionage.
".Detectives appear in the guise of serv-
ants. and the oath of a Jingle one is enough
The prospect that Alton B. Park