Despotism in the Philippines

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 27, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 13.

Despotism in the Philippines

In speaking on the Spooner Amendment, which gives such unlimited, unshackled power over the Philippines to the President, Senator Hoar called it a “despotism, the worst and most unchecked ever proposed on the face of the earth.” It was giving the Philippine Commission a power which, in the height of his glory, “the American people never would have trusted to George Washington.” He again declared: “You may talk about benevolent assimilation, or giving good government, or use all the other fine phrases that your ingenuity can invent, but your act is pure, simple, undiluted despotism.”

“In vain you call old notions fudge, And match your morals to your feeling; The Ten Commandments will not budge, And stealing will continue stealing.”