The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-12-07

Self-gOvernment by SummCning the
first Filipino legislative assembly; and
the way in which they stand this ties. |
will largely determine whether the
sef-goyernment thus granted will be
increased or decreased; for if we I've
erred at all in the Philippines it has
been in proceeding too rapidly in the
direction Of granting a large measu
of self-goyernment. We are building
roads. We have, for the immeasurable
good of the people, arranged for the
building OF railroads. Let us also see
to it that they are given free access
to our markets. This nation owes no
more imperative duty to itself and
mankind than the duty Of managing
the affairs of all the islands under the
American fag-the Philippines. Porto
Rico, and Hawaii-so as to make it
evident that it is in every way to their
advantage that the flag should fly over
them.
PORTO RICAN AFFAIRS.
HAWAII.
American citizenship should be con-
ferred on the citizens Of Porto Rico.
The harbor Of San Juan in Porto Rico
should be dredged and improved. The
expenses of the federal court of Porto
Rico shoul be met from the federal
treasury. The administration of the
affairs of Porto Rico, together with
those of the Philippines, Hawaii. and
our other insular possessions, should
all be directed under n executive de-
partment; by preference the depart
ment Of state Or the department OF
war.
The needs of Hawaii are peculiar;
every aid should be given the islands:
and our eff: orts should be u~nceasing
to develop them along the lines of a
community Of small freenOders, not
of great planters with coOlie-tilled es-
tates. Situated as this territory is, in
the middle of the Pacific, there are
duties imposed upon this small COM
munity which do not fall in like de-
gree or manner Upon any other Ameri-
can community. This warrants our
treating it differently from the way in
which we treat territories cntiguous
to Or surrounded by siste territories or
other states, and pustiies the setting
aside Of a portion Of our revenues to
be expended for educational and inter
nal improvements therein. Hawaii is
HOW lHdhiuS OH Sho1 " SCIOiC A1hAiAi
grafton fit in the end to assume the
duties and burdens Of full American
citizenship. and whenever the leaders
in the various industries Of those is
lans finally adopt Jul ideals and heart
lily join our administration in endeaV-
oring to deveop a middle class OF sub
~stantial citizens, a way will then be
foun to deal with the cOiImerclal and
industrial problems which now appear
to them so serious. The best Amerl-
canism is that which aims for stability
and permanency of prosperous citizen
ship, rather than immediate returns
on large masses OF capital
ALASKA.
Alaska's needs have been partially
met, but there must be a complete re-
organization Of the governmental sys-
tenn. as I have before indicated to you.
| ask our especial attention to this.
Dur fellow-citizens who dwell on the
shores Of Puget sound with character
istic energy are arranging to hold in
Seattle the Alaska Yukon Pacific e.
position. It's special aims include the
upbuilding of Alaska and the develop
ment Of American on the
IdCLlIC OCcdu. Alo CApCoAtioh, AA 49,
and scope, should appeal II
only to the people of the United States
but to the eopie of the United States
at large. Alaska since it was bought
has yielded to the government eleven
millions of dollars Of revenue. n has
produced nearly three hundred MIL
lions of dollars in giod, fur2, and hsh
When properly deveoped it will be-
come in large degree a land OF homes
The countries bordering the Pacific
ocean have a population more numer-
Gus than that of all the countries OF
Europe; their annual foreign com
merce amounts to over three billions
nf dollars. of which the share or the
United States is some sever hundred
millions of dollars. If this trade were
thoroly understood and pushed by oul
manufacturers and producers, the in
dustries not only of the Pacifs slope
but OF all u country, and particular
ly of our cotton growing states, wuolG
he greatly benefited. OF course, in or
der to get these benefits, we mus
treat fairly the countries with which
we trade.
INTERNATIONAL MORALITY.
IL IL q 1oldhC II oCtAoyo y
spirit of foolish %cynicism, to maintain
that all International government al &C
ton is. and must ever be, based upoI
mere sel1shness, and that to advance
ethical reasons for such action is al
wavs a sign of hypocrisy. This is n
more necessarily true Of tks action o.
governments than OF the action of in
dividual can do so. But it is equal.
true that the average private in
dividual in any really decent com
nature always to ascribe base motives
for the action Of others. Unquestion
ably nc nation can afford to dis q
gard proper considerations of self-in
terest, any than a private in
dividual in any really decent cam
munity does many actions with refe-
ence to other men in which he Is guild
ed, not by self interest, but bv pub
lie spirit, by regard for the rights :