Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1913-12-05
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domestic concern, and besides them.
outside The charmed circle Of our
DWu national life n which our af-
feetions command rs. as well as our
e0uscIences. there stand out our
obligations toward our territories
over sea Here we are trustees
Porto Rico. Hawaii. the Philippines,
are oass. indeed. bur not ours to do
what we please with Such terri
tories. once regarded as mere pos
sessions are no longer TO be selfish
" exploited; they are part Of the
domain Of public conscience and OF
serTieeable and enlightened states
manship. We must administer them
for the people who live in them and
with the same sense OF responsible
ity TO them as toward our own peo-
pie in our domestic affairs. No
doubt We shall successfully enough
bind Porto Rico and the Hawaiian
Islands 70 ourselves by ties OF justice
and interest and affection. but the
performance OF our duty toward the
Philippines IS more difficult and
debatable matter We can satisfy
the obligations OF generous justice
toward the people of Porto Rico by
giving them the ample and familiar
rights and privileges accorded our
own citizens in our own territories
and our obligations toward the peo-
pie of Hawaii by perfecting the pro-
visions for self government already
granted them. but in the Philippines
We must go further We must hold
steadily in view their ultimate lnde-
pendence. and We must move toward
the time of that independence as
steadily as the way can be cleared
and the foundations thoughtfully
and permanently laid
Acting under the authority con-
ferred upon the President by Con-
gress. | have already accorded the
people of the islands a majority in
both houses OF their legislative body
By appointing five instead OF four
native citizens to the membership of
the comm ission. I believe that in
this way We shall make proof of
their capacity in counsel and their
else OF political power, and that the
success of this step viii be sure TO
clear our view for the steps which
are 10 follow. Step by step We
should extend and perfect the sys-
ten of self government in the isl
ands. making test of them and modi
flying them as experience discloses
- h.fr <as
that we should more and more put
under the control of the native citi-
zens of the archipelago the essential
Instruments of their life. their local
instrHmentalities OF government,
their schools. all the common ister-
ests OF their communities, and so
by counsel and experience set up a
government which all the world viii
see TO be suitable 70 people whose
affairs are under their own control.
At last, hope and believe. we are
beginning 10 gain the confidence of
the Filipino peoples BY their conn
sci and experience, rather than by
our own. We shall learn how best 10
serve them and how soon il viii be
possible and wise to withdraw our
supervision Let us once ind the
path and set out with firm and con-
fident tread upon il and We shall
not wander from il or linger upon il
A duty faces Us with regard 10
Alaska which seems to be very press
ing and very imperative; perhaps /
should say a double duty. for it con-
Germs both the political and the ma
terial development of the Territory.
The people OF Alaska should be given
the full Territorial form of govern
menL and Alaska. as storehoDse.
should be unlocked. One key to il is
system of railways. These the Gov
eminent should itself build and adj
minister. and the ports and terminals
Il shoHld itself control in the interest
of all who wish TO uss them for the
service and development Of the eoun-
try and its people.
sa-r--s is