Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1914 — Filipinos and the Ballot. [ARTICLE]

Filipinos and the Ballot.

I do not wish to appear as an unfriendly critic of the performances of the American government in the Philippine Islands, says the Rt. Rev. Charles H. Brent, P. Bishop of the Philippines. lam not that. 1 recognize with thankfulness the lofty accomplishments which will be of enduring worth to the people. Uur scientific achievements have been of th 3 first order, and by virtue of what has been done in this department, a foundation for better health and sounder physique is being bequeathed to these psople. In education we have a record of which we need not be ashamed, and along line?* of material progress much has been done that will carry In its train beneficial results. But when I turn to the political progress I would be faithless to my American citizenship If 1 failed frankly to deplore the course we have chosen. The meagreness of the recent registration of voters prefatory to the legislative assembly was a surprise to the least sanguine among us. It showed even a smaller percentage than might justly have been anticipated from people with at least a glimmering of the meaning of self-government. The truth of it lb that we have bees going at a pace unsuited to the people. The ballot is the last, and not the first, gift of civilization, demanding a high measure dt understanding, its intelligent use is the most advanced act of political development. Let us progress by all means, but progress cannot be counterfeited, even thoush something bearing its name, but quite contradictory to its substance, parade In its clothing.