the women smiled in their
gala dresses; the men were obsequiousness itself; delicate viands
were placed before him, and, like every other intelligent traveller
in these Islands, he was charmed by that distinguishing trait of the
Luzon Islanders--that hospitality which has no parity elsewhere,
and for which words cannot be found adequately to describe it to
the reader. As Governor Taft himself said truly, "When a Filipino
who has a house says it is yours, he turns out his family and puts
you in." [241] Governor Taft's reception was only that which had
been accorded to many a personage before his day, travelling in a
style befitting his rank. He returned to Manila, captivated by the
fascinating side of Philippine character: the reverse side he could
never know by personal experience, and the natives secured in him a
champion of their cause--"Philippines for the Filipinos." The main
object of his official progress was to collect information for new
legislation anent the municipalities. Civil government was rapidly
established in all the provinces which were peaceful and otherwise
suitable for it. The War of Independence was drawing to a close
(April, 1902), and meanwhile Governor Taft made tours to Negros,
Cebu, and other islands to explain and inaugurate the new _regime_
based on President McKinley's Instructions to the Taft Commission,
dated April 7, 1900. Governor Taft's administration was signalized
by his complacency towards the natives, his frequent utterances
favourable to their aspirations, and his discouragement of those
Americans who sought to make quick fortunes and be gone. But there
were other Americans than these, and his favourite theme, "Philippines
for the Filipinos," aroused unconcealed dissatisfaction among the
many immigrants, especially the ex-volunteers, who not unnaturally
considered they had won a right to exploit, within reasonable bounds,
the "new possession" gained by conquest. Adverse critics contended that
he unduly protected the Filipino to the prejudice of the white man's
interest. Frank and unfettered encouragement of American enterprise
would surely have helped the professed policy of the State, which
was to lead the Filipinos to habits of industry; and how could this
have been more easily accomplished than by individual example? On
the other hand, the Filipinos, in conformity, regarded him as their
patron: many were unconsciously drawn to submission by the suavity
of his rule, whilst his c