New-York tribune., 1916-02-11

short time before, and VII n, if | may
use the phrase, he was actively IN
training for that Office They were
made. too, in the course Of lecture
70 the young men OF Columbia Univer-
sity, on constitutional Government in
the United States; an audience and
a theme calculated to bring forth his
most deliberate opinions and his most
positive convictions. Let US recall his
words. He was speaking of self-gov-
eminent:
Self government is not a mere form
of institutions. TO be had when desired
If only proper pains be taken. II IS a
form of character. 1t follows upon the
long discipline which gives n people
self possession, self-mastery. the habit
of order and peace and common coun-
sci, and a reverence for law which Will
not fail when they themselves become
the makers Of law: the steadiness and
self control of political maturity. And
these things cannot be had without long
discipline.
I'VE can give the Filipinos constitu-
tional government, government which
they may count upon to be just, gov
eminent based upon some clear and
their good and not for our sggrandize-
ment; but we must for the present our
selves supply that government. But
We cannot give them f-government.
government is not a thing that can
De given TO any people, because il is
a form Of character and not form
OF constitution. No PEOPLE can be
given the self-control Of maturity.
Only long apprenticeship OF obedi-
cnce can secure them the precious pos
session. a thing no more TO be bought
than given.
I'VE of all people in the world should
know these fundamental things ane
should act upon them. If only 10 Illus
,rate the mastery in politics which be
longs 20 US of hereditary right. To
ignore them would be not only to fail
and fail miserably, but TO fail ridicu-
lousy and 20 belle ourselves
Now. that was eight years ago. But
Mr.. Wilson would certainly not now
pretend, nor would he accept the pre-
tension. that In these only eight years
the rilipinos have served long ap-
premiership Of obedience" or that they
have now had "the long discipline
which gives people self-possession,
self-mastery and reverence for law
lie cannot regard :heu1 as having row
attained political maturity. He would
not today describe them as possessing
the form Of character" which is the
essential element Of government
We must, then. confidently assume
that Mr.. Wilson's views Of the Philip
pines are now substantially what they
we're in 1907-'0S. when he uttered the
wise and statesmanliHe words which
have quoted. He must be opposed TO
the measure which is now before the
House of Representatives, even though
j. does bear the cachet Of all his party
followers in the Senate. For, what does
that measure in effect say? Where he
says. THE Philippines are ours, but
rot 20 do what we please with It says.
We can do as we please with them.
Where he says, I'VE owe them the same
responsibility that we owe ourselves IN
our own affairs" it says. I'VE owe
them nothing" Where he says. Sell
government cannot be given II says
I'VE will force II upon them. willy
nilly." Where he says. We must for
the present ourselves give them gov
crnment for their good it raucously
responds, give them nothing We're
going 70 get OUT
10: Of all men in America to-day
President Wilson is most constrained
By consistency and, we must believe. by
conviction, TO resist threatened per-
formance 20 execute which would. IN
his own words, be mot only 70 fail, and
fail miserably, but 20 fail ridiculously
and 10 belle ourselves" II is well that
be calls a halt upon the incontineni
policy Of scuttle. IL will be well II ne
Shall insist upon its abandonment and
give the outraged American nation OPP
rortunity TO try to forget that so un-
worthy thing was ever seriously sus-
pested