The Indianapolis journal., 1904-06-04
OUR PHILIPPINE POLICY NOT AN
ISSUE.

There is no doubt but prominent feature
of the coming Democratic campaign will
be an attack on our policy in the Philip
pines. This will be partly in obedience to
an imperative law of the party's being,
which impels 1t 10 attack whatever the Re
publican party does, no matter how clearly
right it may be, and partly owing to the
scarcity OF other issues. The Kansas City
convention declared "anti-imperialism" to
be 1.-THE paramount ISSUE" and nearly
every Democratic state convention that has
met since has had something TO say on the
subject. The election of 1900 showed that
the people were with the administration,
but the Democratic party does not learn
from elections.
The Philippine policy of the administra-
ton during the last four years has been
one of steady adherence to that inaugural
ed by President Mckinley. and the results
are such as to fully justify the verdict of
the people in 1900. With the exception of
Cuba history furnishes parallel TO the
progress THAI has been made in the Phil
ippines during the last four years in paci-
flying turbulent people, dispensing ma
te-iaI and political benefits. and laying
the foundations of permanent government
and home rule. The Filipinos still far
from being homogeneous or thoroughly
civilized people. bus steady progress is be-
ing made in that direction. and the intel
ligent and ruling class is in full sympathy
with American ideas and plans The Amer
lean idea is to urge them along the path OF
self-government as fast it is possible
for them to move, and to intrust them with
the responsibilities of home rule fast
as they are able and willing 10 assume
them. Native Filipinos already fill a con-
siderable proportion of the insular offices,
and they will soon elect Legislature which
will be accorded as much power as it
shows itself capable Of exercising wisely.
sure virtual independence is to show them
selves hit for it.
A policy under which such results as
these have been accomplished, with every
assurance Of still greater, cannot be sue
cessfully attacked. 1t has not been a par
since the Philippine Commission was Great
ed that there has not been Democrat on
it, General Wright, of Tennessee, an orig
inai member of the commission and now
its chairman and ex officio Governor of the
islands, has been in full sympathy with the
policy of the administration from the be-
ginning. His service in the Southern army
is a guaranty of his Democracy. but as a
patriotic and broadminded American he
has co-operated heartily in policy that
aimed at enlarging the sphere of American
influence and extending the benefits of re-
publican government. II the Republicans
need a Democratic defender of the admin
istration policy in the Philippines they
will find one in General Wright.
The time has not come for the United
States to declare its ultimate purpose re-
garding the Philippines. Remote policies
cannot always be safely formulated on
present conditions, and it is not the part
of craftsmanship to outline policies long
time in advance of their possible execution.
The present policy of the United States
looks to qualifying the Filipinos for in
dependence. but as they are not qualified
for it yet and may not be for many years.
any declaration or any demand for a dec
laration on that point would be prema-
ture. 1t is enough that the present policy
is unassailable