The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-12
FiIipinos From This Country's Island Pos
sessions Garry Away Prizes at In
situations of Learning.

NJ OBVIOUSLY. Americans are a
IN race sufficient unto themselves.
4 Obviously-even to the casual
observer - they think themselves the
salt of the earth. Whatever they
accomplish they are wont to as
scribe TO themselves. and not 10 their
environment. Yet It Is interesting to
watch the competition OF the Anglo-Sax-
on and the Latin and Oriental races. and
TO observe that occasionally It is not
the Anglo-Saxon that comes out ahead
The country speaks OF the mental su-
periority Of the Anglo-Saxon races, and
compliments itself on this superiority
SO frequently and so complacently it is
in danger of doing too little honor to
one great cause OF its intellectual ad-
vancement. Entirely too much credit
is given TO the virtuosity of the race,
and too little 10 the fact that the coun-
try offers educational facilities Of the
highest order to the humblest citizens
and that the Government sets up no
false standards of birth or position
against the natural endowments of the
Individual
We do not appreciate our great educa-
tional advantages. as do foreigners who
visit US; we have become so accustom-
ed 10 look upon these advantages as
a matter Of course, that we do not con-
slider them any more than we consider
the presence Of the air we breathe But
IN recent years the registers Of the uni
versities show a great increase in enroll
nent Of students from other lands. And
when one Of these earnest young for
eigners. competing for the prizes offered
by the university, and handicapped by
the necessity OF learning our tongue.
carries of all the honors of his class.
II Is well TO concede more credit 10 our
institutions, and less TO ourselves as
individuals.
Georgetown Illustration.
This is exactly what occurred at the
commencement exercises Of the law
department OF Georgetown University
last Monday evening. when Roman Jose
Lacson y de Paula. Of Isla de Negroes.
Philippine Islands-a full blooded Fill
pino-won the faculty cash prize for the
best essay OF 1.-The Equitable Powers
OF Injunction" in competition with the
third-year class. and the special prize.
a set Of law books. for an essay on a
legal subject competed for by the men,
bers Of the third and fourth year classes
combined.
Only a year ago young LacsOn won
the degree of doctor Of philosophy in
the graduate school OF the university.
He Is the youngest candidate in the his
tory Of the institution on whom this
degree has been conferred. There was
much comment by newspapers at that
time on the exceptional brightness of
this member Of a race which We had
been led 10 believe required the light OF
our civilization and education. News
paper commentators were inclined 10
look upon Lacson as rare exception
20 the general condition. Then Il was
that the young doctor took up the
cudgels for his race, and through the
medium Of a New York newspaper gave
out his widely quoted statement on
Education In the Philippines" In which
he modestly Informed this country that
Manila had a complete university, and
conferred degrees, long before the foun-
dations Of Harvard were laid, and that
he himself had taken his bachelors de-
gree in that university before coming 10
America 70 complete his studies.
Cheers Greeted Victor.
So when this latest achievement of
Lacson was announced 20 the two thou
sand persons assembled on Georgetown
campus there was great craning OF
necks 20 get a good view Of the young
fellow. As he stepped forward under
the glare OF the electric ligkt re made
striking figure in his rich robe OF the
doctorate in philosophy. the black and
purple and gold accentuating the Orien-
tai effect Of his dark skin and eyes. and
straight black hair. and making more
marked the contrast between him and
his lighter skinned brothers Of the
north. Modestly he stood there while
his classmates burst into enthusla site
applause, echoed and repeated by the