The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-29

chaos in the islands and the progress among the ignorant masses in education and better living will stop. We are en- gagged in the Philippines in a great mis- sionary work that does our nation honor, and IS certain to promote in most ef- tectiYe way the influence of Christian civ illzation. It is cowardly to lay down the burden until our purpose is achieved.
 Hope of Prosperity In Change In Tariff
 Recommended By Republican Plat
 form.
 Many unfortunate circumstances beyond human control have delayed the coming of business prosperity to the islands. Much may be done in this regard by in creasing the trade between the islands and the United States under tariff laws permitting reciprocal free trade in the re- spective products of the two countries with such limitations as to sugar and to- bacco imported in the United States as will protect domestic interests. The ad- mission of 350000 tons of sugar from the Philippine Islands in foreign impor- tation of l, ,6O0,000 tons will have no ef- feet whatever upon the domestic sugar interests of the United States, and yet such an importation from the Philippine Islands, not likely to be reached in 10 years, will bring about the normal state
 
 to sugar culture.
 The same thing is true of a similar linn itation on the importation of tobacco. It is not well for the Philippines to develop the sugar industry to such a point that the business of the islands shall be ab- sorbed in it. because it makes a society In which there are wealthy landowners, holding very large estates, with valuable and expensive plants, and a large popu- lation of unskilled labor. Tn such a com munity there is no farming or middle class tending to build a conservative, self-respecting community, capable of self-government There are many other products, notably that of Manila hemp to which the energy of the islands can be, and is being directed. the cultivation of which develops the class of small and intelligent farmers.
 Misconceotion As To Annual Cost of
 Philippines.
 One misconception of fac, with respect to our Philippine policy is that 1t is cost ing the people of the United States vast annual sum. The expenses of the war in the Philippines from 1898 to 1902 involved the government in an eXpendi- ture of less than $175,000,O00 This was incident to war The fact is that since the close of the war in 1902, and the res toration of order in the islands, the ex-
 
 regular army in the islanGs, together with that of maintaining about 4000 Philippine scouts as a part of the regular army does not exceed s6,00O,0O0 annually. This is all the expense to which the United States has been put for five or six years last past. The expenses of the civil gov- ernments in the islands since it's estab- lishment have been met entirely from the proceeds of taxes collected in the islands. with but one notably generous and com mendable exception, when Congress Of the United States appropriated $3,00O,0Oo in 1902, to relieve the inhabitants of the islands from the dangers of famine and distress caused by the death from rhin- derpest of three-fourths of the cattle of the islands.
 Veterans of Countrys Wars.
 Both platforms declare, as they should, in favor of generous pensions for the veterans of the civil and Spanish wars. I stop to note the presence here of body of veterans of Ohio, and to express my thanks for the honor they do me in com ing I am lacking in one qualification of all republican Presidents since Lincoln, that of having been exposed to danger and death on the field of battle in defense of our country. I hope that this lack will not make the veterans think I am any less deeply thrilled by the memory of their great comrades gone before-Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison and Mckinley, all sons of Ohio, who left records reflect ing glory upon their state and nation, or that my sympathies with the valor and courage and patriotism of those who faced death in the country's crises are any less earnest and sincere than they would be had I the right to wear a but ton of the Grand Army or of the vet erans' association of any other country's wars.
 The Rights and Progress of the Negro.
 The republican platform refers to those amendments to the constitution that were passed by the republican party for the protection of the negro. The negro, in the forty years since he was freed from slavery, has made remarkable progress. He is becoming more and more valuable member of the communities in which he lives. The education of the negro Is be- ing expanded and improved in every way The best men of both races with the north as well as at the south, ought to rejoice to see growing up among the southern people an influential element disposed to encourage the negro in his hard struggle for industrial independ- ence and assured political status. The republican platform, adopted in Chicago explicitly demands justice for all men, without regard to race or color, and just as explicitly uecldTeS TUT lile ment and without reservation, in letter and spirit of the 18th, 14th and 18th amendments to the constitution, it Is needless to state that I stand with my party suuarey on the plank in the plat form and believe that equal justice to all men, and the fair and impartial en- forcement of these amendments is in keeping with the real American spirit of fair play.
 Army and Navy.
 MT Mckinley and MT. Roosevelt and the republican party have constantly ad- vocated policy with respect to the army and navy that will keep this republic ready at all times to defend her territory and her doctrines, and to assure her ap- propriate part in promoting permanent tranquility among the nations l well come, from whatever motive, the change in the democratic attitude toward the maintenance and support of an adequate navy, and hope that in the next platform the silence of the present platform in respect to the army will be changed to an acquiescence in its maintenance to the point of efficiency in connection with the efficiently reorganized militia and the national volunteers, for the proper de- fense of the country in times of war, and the discharge of those duties in times of peace for which the army as at present constituted has shown itself so admirably adapted in the Philippines. in San Francisco, in Cuba and elsewhere. We are a world-power and cannot help 1t; and although at peace with the world and secure in the consciousness that the