d an eminent American
divine say that imperialism meant civilization--in an American sense.
[Laughter.] He also added the word liberty, and with your permission I
would like to make a still further addition: that is, fairness, and just
treatment of all classes of persons without distinction of race or
color. [Cheers.] Well, you have the Philippines ceded to you, and you
are hesitating whether to keep them or not. I see in that very fact of
your hesitation an indication of your noble character. Suppose a
precious gift entailing obligations is tendered to a man; he would
accept it without any thought or hesitation if he were wholly lacking in
principle; but you hesitate because of your high moral character, and
your sense of responsibility. I express no opinion as to whether or not
you should keep the Philippines. That is for you to decide. I am
confident that when this question has been thoroughly threshed out, you
will come to the right decision. I will say this: China must have a
neighbor; and it is my humble opinion that it is better to have a good
neighbor than an indifferent one.

Should your country decide to keep the Philippines, what would be the
consequences? A large trade has been carried on for centuries between
those islands and China. Your trade would be greatly increased and to
your benefit. Aside from this the American trade in China has been
increasing largely in the last few years. I have often been asked
whether we Chinamen are friendly to America. To show you how friendly we
are, I will tell you that we call your nation a "flowery flag" and that
we call your people "handsome." Such phrases clearly show that we are
favorably disposed toward you. If we did not like you, we would not have
given you such nice names. The officials of China, as well as the
people, like Americans, and our relations, officially and commercially,
are cordial.

There is, however, one disturbing element--one unsatisfactory feature--I
refer to your Chinese Immigration law. Your people do not know and do
not understand my people. You have judged all of my people from the
Chinese in California. Your Chinese exclusion law has now been in
operation for fifteen or sixteen years, but it cannot be said to have
been satisfactory even to yourselves. Those laws were intended to keep
the Chinese cheap labor out of your country, but they have also kept out
the better class of my countrymen whom I am satisfied the laws did not
intend to excl