Speech #570005769

Chairman. for the relief of some I will say that it is not my purpose to further discuss the question in reference to the Philippine Islands at this time. because I am almost persuaded that the further we discuss the nearer we get into the condition of a good old friend of mine who said that he had been trying for a long time to find out who these people were. where they came from. and where they were going. and the more investigation he made and the further he went the more confused he became and further away from a solution he was. He said it reminded him somewhat of an occurrence which took place in his community once upon a time in the past. when an honored old gentleman who had been elected to the legislature and served his term and returned home to the bosom of his constituents. and by reason of the superior advantages thus obtained impressed the people with the idea that he was the happy possessor of a great deal of knowledge and information. and one of his neighbors received a letter from a friend who had a few years before removed to a distant Western State and was writing about the conditions out there. and he wrote to his friend. "We have been having a pretty hard time outhere up to a short time ago. but lately times are improving. A great many immigrants have removed into the country and they have been buying up our corn. and that has raised the price. which has brought a degree of prosperity to us." Now. the man who received the letter did not know what an immigrant" was. and so he went over to- his old friend and showed him the letter and asked him to read it. and tQ then explain to him what was meant by an "immigrant." He adjusted his spectacles on his nose and read the letter with much dignity. and when he came to the word "immigrant" the man seeking information said. " That is what I want you to explain." The old man studied a moment. put on a serious look. and with much unction delivered himself as follows: "Well. I have read a great many books. and really have made a special study of this question for a long time. but I have not arrived at any definite conclusion as to what an immigrant is. but from the best information I have. my best judgment is he is a sorter of a mongrel. a kind of a cross between a possum and a coon. and while I can not tell you definitely as to what he is. I am sure of one thing. and that is he is thunder on corn." Thus. it seems to me. is our situation as to the Filipinos. I do not know what race of people they are. and I have not been able to find out. and there is a very great difference of opinion among the gentlemen on both sides of this Chamber who have taken the time and gone to the expense of visiting these faraway islands to find out something about them.