OCR Text |
Show IN THE FAR OFF ISLAND. The Philippines, save such islands as aro peopled by the murderous Moros have passed under Civil rule; pardon has been extended to political offenders, offend-ers, more school-houses are being built; the revolution revo-lution of good roads ought to begin soon; the clouds one by one are breaking and redemption and disenthrallment are making way. That is not a bad showing. If life can be made safe, if the Filipino can receive the full value of his labor and the products of his labor; if he can be permitted to grasp at all the possibilities of his country, unfettered by unreasonable restraints and saved from robbery by brigands and officials, even in his darkened mind the fact should dawn that it was a merciful interposition, that dissolved the Spanish misrule in the Philippines and brought those islands under the flag of the Great Republic. It was a belief of the ancient Romans that "The Great Twin Brethern" wero guadian angels of Rome. Back comes the chief in triumph, Who in the hour of light, Has seen the great Twin Brethern In harness on his right Safe comes the ship to haven 1 hrouyh billows and through gales If once the Great Twin Brethern Sit shining on the sails. The spirit of Liberty is what the Great Twin Brethren were of old. It was what lightened the sails of the Dewey fleet and guided it into Manila Bay. It sighted the guns on that Sabbath morn-ing, morn-ing, as those great guns sounded the death knell of Spain's cruel rule in those islands. The purpose, pur-pose, the execution of which was begun, that day will not be reliquished; the islands will be fully consecrated to freedom; enlightment will extend there; the genius of free institutions will more and more impress itself there and the light will extend to that Asian coast which has been merciless to its people from the first, and the Old Flag will take on new splendors year by year. - |