The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-10-23
TAFT IN THE ISLANDS
VIM Mckinley Sent the Judge to
the Philippines.
STRONG, HONEST AND TacTFUL
a.,inouished Certainty Of Elevation to
Supreme Bench at Call Of Duty.
Proved Ills Ability as a Nation
puilder--A Real Altruist. -..


In the beginning Of our occupation OF
the philippines the problems there
were military. Nothing Of civil func.
tIons could be essayed until the rebel
uop had been put down. In the midst
n this the first Philippine commission
was sent out 10 look over the situation
"as bearers Of the blessings Of liber-
otlns rather than a conquering M
tIon." rs President Mckinley wrote
The commissioners decided that II was
bad mess.
Mr. Mckinley was advised to try to
aohothl0s by civil power. but 10 give
military governor full sway. This
y would have been fatal error. Any
continuance Of the military govern
ment beyond the time when It's stern
restrictions we're required to indueo
peace and maintain II would still fur
Their have JeopardlZed the trust ~ ia q
natives In our good faith. And II h1d
already been so strained that IL would
stand no more tension.
The people nj home. too. were grow
ing thoroughly out of conceit with "the
little brown brother" Our appetite
had become stated Of military conquest.
Too many long. narrow boxes were
shipped over sea and land for inter
ment In village churchyards. too many
mothers moIrned sons. done to death
by bullets or bolO. 10 support general
conviction In the doctrine Of exnan
sion We thought we had no prototype
81 Cromer. no giants Of colonial admin,
is,raiion upon whom Mr.. Mckinley
mIght call to ''lay the foundations of -
superior civilization. with specific ref.
erence 10 the needs ~ the people TO be
governed and with definite reference
10 the welfare of tire islands. both ma.
terial and moral" as he had nut II.
There yns dearth ~ mon wholly In
harmony with the presidents conccp-
ton Of what our national duty TO the
Fflipinos comprised. who would con.
siantly bear In mind that II was lIber.
ty they wanted. liberty that they
should hare. a. Mr.. Mckinley had
promised. piedcing our faith as n m.
ton liberty. ~ he wrute. of tie
whole Filipino people and not II n
decimal fraction 81 them, who through
The leadership 81 education and prop.
erty have acquired a domination over
the great mass"
Mr. Taft had not been thought Of. II
his sentiments On the Philippine ques.
ton was known II was patent that he
vas neither a believer IN Mr.. MriIIn
lry's policy nor In our ethical right 70
h. In the Islands. Said the president
one daT 20 the then secretary 81 state.
William II. Day. II want n man who f.
strong, honest and tactfui. n man az
education ani executive ability. n man
who f. fearless. but conservative. who
will get along with tue army people"
Judge Taft fills the hin II be will
take the Job" said Mr.. Day I'm n stroke
II Insplrational genius. They sent for
Judge Taft. who was then on the 81
premc court bench. and told him WIN,
was wanted. lie shook his head.
Il cannot L. 81 use 60 you there. Mr.
President" he answered. Il didn't
want to take the Philippines. II was
a mistake" The president regarded
him musInRiy Tor n moment. then.
Nor did want 10 take them" said
he. = Ind Ia. There was nothing else
to do. We must huIld n new nation Out
there. want you Ia help us"
Secretary Of War Root added his
i"rsuaslDns lie showed both sides ~
The medal 10 Judge Taft. Perhaps be-
vas aotived more slIFrwdIy than h.
affected. for DC ticscauted upnn the dIf
hrulties ~ Tire task compared With
u" cougeniaI ard relatively easy work
That Judge Taft Ind upon she beneh.
with the almost ultimate certainty ~
i"iug elevated 60 the supreme cuHrt
lie must fosezo all this. said Mr.. Root.
but what a chanrc offered IN the
Philippines Co do. 60 create. 20 dis.
prove the infallabiiIty ~ some ~ Eng.
lands Jet theories uf colonization. g.
brlng into beliig n nation. Such argu
inrilts turned the tide. Judge Taft ~.
'Flied nnc Ut those duties which" a.
ph"'c hin. IS an entirety aud not
iuIiilled until II n entirely fulfilled
As he took ship. aud always after.
ward. there was In his mind the con.
'lndlhg paragraphs II the Instructions
given hIm by the president:
"A high aud sacred obligation rests
hi"n the government u the United
states Ia give protection for property
anI life. civil and religious freedom
ahd wise. frm aud unseigsh guidance
IN VI" paths " peace and prosperity TO
." tic peoples ~ the Philippine II.
.lh's Charge this commission 10
"'''r Tar the fun Performance ~ this
""'lgatian. which eourcrns the honor
ana conscience ~ their country. In the
urn t"pc TINT through Their iabors aiI
20" people Ia the Philippines may come
" '"k hack With gratitude 10 tho DAY
"N"n God gave victory 10 tho AmcrI
.a' arms nc Manila aud ret their land
. u''uer the sovereignty and the prutec.
""n " the people ~ the United States"
'NFuIstic, perhaps, but Nv. Taft q
~ alirtiist. II needed nm altruist 10
.""'i'aSs the requirements specified r.
~" quotation 10 the letter and nave