Recollections of Full Years · Chapter
An Historic Trip explained
The Taft Commission embarks on a historic seven-week journey through the southern Philippine islands to establish civil government.
What happens
The Taft Commission embarks on a historic seven-week journey through the southern Philippine islands to establish civil government. The chapter describes the intense heat, the enthusiastic Filipino receptions with bands and oratory, the visit to Lucena, the challenges of organizing provinces like Marinduque, and the arrival in the exotic Moro region of Jolo with its stilt houses and colorful craft. The author reflects on the diversity of the archipelago and the Commission's method of direct contact to restore peace.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Encounter and Colonialism
The chapter details the American Commission's interactions with Filipino and Moro cultures, including local bands playing American tunes, the rigodon dance, and the exotic sights of Jolo's stilt houses and colorful craft.
Politics and Governance
The Commission's work of organizing provinces, reading the Provincial Code, and negotiating with local leaders to restore civil government is central to the chapter.
Adaptation to Change
The author describes adapting to the intense heat, the strenuous schedule of festivities, and learning the rigodon, while the Commission adapts its methods based on local conditions.
Characters to notice
- William Howard Taft
Read and explained the Provincial Code at Lucena; introduced Chief Justice Arellano; danced the rigodon with the highest-ranking lady.
- Helen Herron Taft
Narrator of the chapter; endured the heat and festivities; became proficient at the rigodon; arranged for the ladies to rest on the Sumner.
- Arthur Fergusson
Spanish secretary to the Commission; embellished Taft's speech; his son Arthur was part of the children's group.
- Cayetano Arellano
Introduced by Taft as the ablest lawyer in the Islands; spoke earnestly and with dignity at the Lucena meeting.
- General Arthur MacArthur
As Military Governor, detailed army officers for service; assigned the transport Sumner to the Commission.
- Charles P. Taft
Referred to as the ship's baby, younger than the Worcester children.
- Mrs. Moses
Her young daughter was part of the children's group on the trip.
Key passages
“This happy state of affairs seems to have been produced by Colonel Gardiner, in command of the garrison, who had displayed great tact in dealing with the peacefully inclined Filipinos and absolute military rigidity in his attitude toward the insurrectos.”
Colonel Gardiner's balanced approach—kind to peaceful locals and strict with rebels—was credited for the province's calm.
Describes the pacification of Bataan.
“Speaking of Filipino bands, it may be thought that my partial description of those in Lucena is exaggerated. Not at all.”
The author insists her account of the Filipino bands in Lucena is accurate, not an exaggeration.
Defends the description of amateur musicians playing popular American tunes.
“Of my own experience I can testify that 'A Hot Time in the Old Town' makes a perfectly good funeral march when reduced to a measure sufficiently lugubrious.”
The author humorously notes that the lively song could be adapted into a solemn funeral march by slowing the tempo.
Illustrates the versatility of Filipino bands.
“The Commissioners were really walking in the dark. Only through personal investigation could they learn the exact conditions in any town or province and this investigation had always to precede any definite action on their part.”
The Commissioners had to personally investigate each area because they lacked prior knowledge of local conditions, making the process slow and arduous.
Explains the necessity of the trip for gathering information.
