Local government in the Philippine islands,

286 LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

aptly stated by one of the author's former students, the
world has shown that no practical result has ever been
realized without first being conceived in the realm of
abstraction.
The adoption of any form of direct legislation in the
Philippines ought not to be forced unless circumstances
shall warrant it. Radicalism, no matter how democratic,
may prove detrimental to the Islands. In politics as well
as in other activities of national import, we should "Keep
close to the shore: let others venture on the deep." 422
Wherefrom it is manifest that in the institution of
governmental reforms in the Philippines, be they municipal
or Insular, three considerations are unshirkable: forethought, caution, and an abiding faith in the ultimate
justice of the people. 428 While it is politic to remember
that "Where there is no vision, the people perish," 424 we
should always be chary of surrendering ourselves to any
wild-goose chase-to the hunt of the philosopher's stone
which will transmute all base metals into gold-to the pursuit of the pot of gold at the foot of the rainbow-to the
search for square pegs to fit into round holes, or of the
master-key which will open all locks-to the quest for
Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth or the nectar and ambrosia of the Olympian gods wherewith to make restless
man cast off the flesh of his mortality. With the seer of
Locksley Hall, let us encourage the presence and mission
of".... statesmen of her council met
Who knew the seasons, when to take
Occasion by the hand, and make
The bounds of freedom wider yet." 425
From the greatest exponent of democracy, Woodrow
Wilson, we glean this imperishable truth: "Change is not
interesting unless it is constructive, and it is an age of
construction that must put fire into the blood of any man
worthy of the name."
422 "Litus ama:... altum alii teneant."-Virgil in the Aeneid.
428 "Why should there not be a patient confidence in the ultimate
justice of the people? Is there any better or equal hope in the
world?"-Lincoln, Abraham: First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861.
424 Proverbs, xxix. 13.
425 To the Queen-Tennyson, Alfred.