In the
municipalities and other local subdivisions I recommend that the
principle of local self-government be applied at once, so as to enable
the intelligent citizens of the island to participate in their own
government and to learn by practical experience the duties and
requirements of a self-contained and self-governing people. I have
not thought it wise to commit the entire government of the island to
officers selected by the people, because I doubt whether in habits,
training, and experience they are such as to fit them to exercise at
once so large a degree of self-government; but it is my judgment and
expectation that they will soon arrive at an attainment of experience
and wisdom and self-control that will justify conferring upon them a
much larger participation in the choice of their insular officers.
The fundamental requirement for these people, as for all people, is
education. The free schoolhouse is the best preceptor for citizenship.
In the introduction of modern educational methods care, however, must
be exercised that changes be not made too abruptly and that the history
and racial peculiarities of the inhabitants shall be given due weight.
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