The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-09-13

cent years has there been as fine an
example of constructive statesman
ship and wise and upright administra-
ton as has been given by the civil au-
thorities, aided by the army, in the
Philippine Islands We have admins
istered them in the interest of their
own people, and the Filipinos them.
selves have profitei most by our pres
ence in the islands; but they have also
been of very great advantage to us as
a nation.
$50 far from having Slapped the
foundations of free popular govern
ment at home by the course taken in
the Philippines, we have been spread,
ing it's knowledge, and teaching its
practice, among peoples to whom it
had never before been more than an
empty name. Our action represents
a great stride forward in spreading
the principles of orderly liberty
throughout the world. Our flag has
not lost it's gift of benediction in ttt
worldwide journey to their shores
We have treated the power we have
gained as a solemn obligation, ar
have used it in the interest of man
kind and the peoples of the world
land especially the weaker peoples CT
the world, are better off because ot
the position we have assumed. 10 res
trace our steps would be to give proof
of an infirm and unstable national
purpose.
eve did not take the Philippines al
will and we cannot put them aside
at will. Any abandonment of the pol.
icy which we have steadily pursued
in the islands would be fraught with
dishonor and disaster; and to such
dishonor and disaster | do not believe
that the American people will con-
sent.
alarm has been professed lest tn"
Filipinos should not receive all the
benefits guaranteed to our people al
home by the fourteenth amendment
| to the Constitution. AS a matter Ct
| fact, the Filipinos have already Sc
cured the substance of these BENEFITS
| This government has been true to thS
| spirit of the fourteenth amendment IT.
| the Philippines. Can our opponents
| deny that here at home the primer
pies of the fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments have been in effect nulle
| fed? In this. as in many other mat
tiers, we at home can well profit by the
example Of those responsible Tor tfh
actual management of affairs IN the
| Philippines. In our several Common
Wealths here in the United states, we,
as a people, now face the complex
| problem of securing fair treatment tC
color. We can do, SO only if we ap
proach the problem in the spirit OF
courage, common and hlgh-
minded devotion to the right which
has enabled Governor Taft, Governor
Wright, and their associates to do so
noble a work in giving to the Phlilp
pine people the benefit of the true
true principles of American liberty.
Mr.. Roosevelt has written very
plausible stump speech, and it will be
hailed as a great document by hls
supporters 1t is not that but it is
written with clearness and reads Well.
There is much ingenuity shown in tho
presentation of his claim for re-elec-
ton. In the mater of the questions
where he is most open to attack, the
President puts on a bold front and
stands put"
The document may be summed up
country will be saved if | am defeat
ed, it is ruined" for near its close ha
says:
There is not a policy, foreign or
domestic, which we are now carrying
out which it would not be disastrous
to reverse or abandon
1.-THE State-I am the State" is his
Napoleonc conception of himself His
egotism is so supreme that he cannot
conceive that he could make a mis-
| take. That is plain in every line Of
the ten columns of review of his ad-
ministration and his attack upon the
| Democratic platform and Judge Par
! ker's speech.