Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-04-12
CLOTHES AND CIVILIZATION
Filipinos Soon Learn That They
Must Be Provided with
Proper Raiment.

Some information which has leaked
out from Washington is highly inter-
esting as showing the progress in civ
ilizstion made by our national wards
the Filipinos 1t all has reference to
new series Of special delivery post.
age stamps that is TO be issued for
the use Of the Philippines. In design.
ing these stamps. says the Troy On.
Y.) Times. care has been taken by
our government and the artists in its
i employ TO make pictures fit the situa-
ton. The idea has been 10 combine
| utility with beauty. and at the same
time to compliment the natives by con-
forming as far as was practicable to
their tastes and customs A great
deal of time and thought was spent
on these stamps, and ii was earnestly
hoped that they would meet the
hearty approval of the Filipinos, sub
stituted as they win be. for the old
stamps bearing the phiz Of the young
king of Spain, which we're constant
reminders OF former cruel and an.
just domination.
In a way the design. which has
been submitted to the Philippines gov.
ernment does meet warm approval. |
Its beauty and the compliment i'm
piled are appreciated. but il appears
that there is one serious objection.
The picture on the stamp Is that of
Filipino boy. clad in the light and
airy fashion typical OF the mild eli
mate and the customary scantiness Of
attire attesting to the absence of bliz.
zardy weather This device was hit
upon after much anxious reflection.
the notion being that no other would
more exactly represent the fieet-footed
Mercury who is supposed to hustle
around with mail matter in the is.
ands, and the artists, uniting real
SIN with symbolieal fancy. rightly
that in a tropical region no
,ostboy could get a rapid move on
Tim II he were handicapped by too
much clothes. That seems pertinent |
nd sensible
Yet the Filipinos object TO the mail
arrier because he Is not dressed
nough, although, as the officials OF
he insular bureau at Washington but ;
, the attire is unusually complete '
with the costumes of ma. @
ives depicted on some OF the stamps i
Africa II must be said that the Z
osition taken by the Filipinos does
reat credit to them, however II may i
lsappoint the artists who designed '
lat stamp. The objections interposed "
Idicate that the Filipinos are rapld. a
advancing in the right direction. 9
r is 1t not matter OF indisputable L
story that the higher the civilization
which men climb the greater is =
eir attachment TO clothes and the
ore elaborate their wardrobe? The
lipinos' own neighbors. the pictur
que lgorrotes. have afforded a strik
& example of this. A large number of
EN- came to the Louisiana Purchase
position, clothed for the most part
natures own garb. But they were
pid learners, and they returned TO
cir country decked in attire that
'uld have been the glory of a rum.
zee sale and the despair OF a sec
d-hand clothing establishment
ID on their native heath they have |
themselves as a sort OF
stocraey that can put on airs be.
Use II no longer goes in deshabile.
ey are a source of envy to their
ghbors and object lessons in the
information wrought by dress
Such influences are getting in their
rk, as the Filipino protest against !
disrobed messenger boy on the Z
tage stamps shows The islanders
becoming more civilized and con.
uently want more clothes.