The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1906-06-08
Autonomy in the FiIipinOs.

Engineer In charge OF the Big Sandy,
In the article We produce below:
To the Editor OF the Army and Navy
Journal
The question at issue In the edito-
rial in your number Of May S, concern
ing the views OF Mr.. Bryan on our du-
lty 20 the Filipinos, Is, "Are the
Filipinos fit for self-soyernment?"
assert that there never existed on
this earth a people who were not in
the first place capable of governing
themselves and working out their own
salvation. even under difficulties OF
an appalling nature. The mere exis-
tenoe OF nations proves this-not to
mention the steady advance Of civil
lization since the creation OF man.
The lowest forms of thinking ami
mails. the buffaloes OF the plains,
wild sheep, even Wild geese, govern
themselves most excellenily. Shall It
be said that mantle noblest Of Gods
oreations-is incapable of governing
himself? The American Indians-that
most primitive Of peoples-governed
themselves before the epoch-maklng
advent Of the white mal. Perhaps
their form OF government was not
IDEAL according to our Cdlstorted?l
views, but IT suited them better than
what they have had since. They
were free, and freedom Is better than
chains. "though they be Of gold"
A people learn self-goysrnment only
by governing themselves. just as bog
becomes a man and learns a man's
work only when he is thrown on HIS
own resources and forced TO assume
duties and responsibilities. There are
some things that can be learned only
by experience. and self-government
is unquestlo1ably oae OF them The
worlds mes successful nations are
those that have thrown off the yoke
Of the oppressor (be that opprea asor
q foreign power or an olgarchy at
homel, and se; up a government for
the people, by the people, and OF the
people. They passed through years
Of bloody strife. through frightful
civi, wars. and internal dissensions.
and finally emerged triumphant.
cite England, France aud America as
conspicuous examples.
Ia every instance that history re-
cords government by foreign power.
when not resisted. has degraded the
nation governed. Whether or not It
be intended to eventually give
nation its freedom. the fact of
foreign government by force and its
effec; are not altered
Now. what has been the (caatrary)
effect Of self-govemment upon na-
tioas able or allowed TO work out
their own des,ines? In every instance
Of any importance the nation and
people have been elevated and en-
lightened.
A little over half a century ago the
United States opened the door of
Japan--a half civilized, heather ma
ton. We did not undertake to gov
ern Japan for the japanese, but left
them TO do as tney saw fit, We saw
and their success is almost without
parallel IN history.
| cannot see the Logic by which Il
Is declared Gn the article am dis
clssing) that il is our duty to leave
the Islands as We found them Accord
ing to the Journals view Tor any
other honest vlewl, We must do what
ever Is best for the isllnds. II the
Inhabitants of the northern and
southern provinces are so differeat
that they had better work out their
destinies separately. then II We are to
interfere at all (aad We have done ~.
why not provide for this9
AZ the end of the Journals article
occur the statements. IF We
invoke the Monroe Doctrine TO MAIN
ta!a their independence. the world
would laugh at us" Ito be suie), and
again. THE idea that we can with
draw and still forbid other natioas
10 enter Is misleading and dangerous.
In these statements do not concur.
Is the Independence Of Switzerland
guaranteed by the Monroe Doctrine,nr
of Belgium, or Holland, or Denmark,
or Spain, or ANY other free but indi-
vidually helpless nation. And do
the powers stay out because Uncle
Sam forblds them to eaterg OF course
not. ~ and Yet 16ese nSnons 'ne~sc=l
eyre ia their Independence. In look
ting around Tor case more nearly
parallel to what that Of the Filipi- /
nos would be, the case OF the Samoans
occurs TO my mind. Their indepen-
dence Is guaranteed by convention Of
1889, 20 which England, Germany aril
the United States are parties. We do
not invoke the Monroe Doctrine, nor
DO we (alone) forbid other powers to
enter the Samoan Islands.
P. s. BOND,