The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-08-19

Probably the greatest work which |
the United States is doing in the I
Philippines Is that which IS being ac-
complished by the small army Of edu- \
Gators which were sent to the islands |
as soon as possible after the latter !
had come under control Of the Amer |
lean government 1t is still a long
and hard road ahead before anything
like what II is hoped to accomplish |
IS realized, but what has already been
done for the educational redemption |
Of the Filiplnos Is the strongest kind
Of a guarantee Of this countfys abil-
ity to perfect that which It has begun.
And certainly there is not any more
inspiring spectacle than that Of this
conglomeration Of orientals imbiblng
western civilization and the English
language through American channels.
Perhaps there Is no one better quail
fed 70 tell Of the progress Of educa-
tion In the archipelago than George
William Beattie. superintendent Of the
Philippine Normal school at Manila.
Mr.. Beattie went out as division SUI
perintendent Of schools for the island
Of Negros, after having served for
many years as county superintendent
Of schools and earlier as treasurer Of
San Benardino county In view Of
the chaotic conditions which existed
in the Islands this combined business
and educational experience was Of
especial value Having set things to
rights in Negros. he was called 70 his
present post in Manila.
In establishing a school system,
Mr. Beattie explained "the change
from Spanish to English was trifing
in comparison with other issues. It
was necessary to decide whether to
continue the Spanish practice Of Civ
ing instruction in the native languages.
or to employ a common tongue. In
Settling this question the attitude Of
the Filipinos themselves was cOnsid.
cred They realize their isolation
from the rest Of the world. CONNER
ciaily as well as intellectually. and
also the lack of that national unity
which has become SO conspicuous In
at least one neighboring oriental na-
ton. They know that English is the
language Of commerce. and that by
learning Il they can open the door to
the worlds markets. They know that.
SO long as the Tagalog Of Manila has
nothing In common. SO far as language
IS concerned, with the Ilocano Of
northern Luzon or the Visaya1 Of the
southern islands. they can never be-
come a nation They know. too. that
their native languages are without a
literature and they often refer 10 En-
glish as shakespeaFc's tongue Fur
thermore. the Filipinos crave social
recognition. and therefore desire the
language Of their acquired mother
country, be it Spain or America.
These considerations made the think.
Ing natives insist that instruction IN
the schools be given in English and
the government willingly acceded be-
cause Of the diHcuity OF supplying
textbooks IN the various dialects and
Of preparing Americans to teach in
the native tongues The adoption Of
English in the schools gives entire
satisfaction to the people, notwith.
standing the belief Of some American
teachers that the Fillpno's choice
would prove suicidal
The Filiplnos are very eager for
education. ! think I can safely say
that nothing the American govern.
ment is doing for the Philippines is
more appreciated by the natives than
the effort that Is being made to edu-
cafe them. Whatever differences there
may be between Filipinos and Amer.
leans regarding matters Of govern
mental policy there is no opposition
TO the schools fear, however that
not all the Filipinos know what the
word education means. To the masses
Il is vague something, like indie
pendence or Aladdins lamp. that IL
supposed 10 cure all Ills and open all
doors Of opportnnlty-iust how OF why
they know not They observe that
rich and powerful nations have abun
. dant educational facilities, and the,
are convinced in their own minds thai
through general enlightenment theil
national aspirations may be realized
II Is pathetic 70 see the franknes.
with which Fillpinos admit their pres
ent helplessness-ascribing It to ignor
ance.
AS students. Filiplnos are faithful
and Industrious. Il is more neces
sary to restrain than to stimulate thl
advanced students, as they are in con
stant danger Of ogerworking. The,
submit readily 10 authority, and dis
cipilne in the school is a simple prob
lem.
when the American public school
were first opened the young peopl
filled them to overfowng and th
adults crowded the night schools, th
dominant thought being to tcQuire