Date: May 23, 1931
Location: Northampton, MA
(Original document available here)
Something of a reversal of opinion is taking place concerning Philippine independence both in the islands and in this country. Due to the competition that is felt from sugar and other agricultural products, there is an increased amount of sentiment in our Southern and Central states favoring separation, while a growing conviction that free entry to our markets is necessary to their economic welfare is making Filipino sentiment less favorable to independence.
If at last the Filipinos are giving less thought to politics and more thought to business they are on the right road. They possess great natural resources, but unless they develop these and increase the possible revenues of their government they must remain dependent on the advantages of a free market in this country and continue unable to support independence. A firm business foundation is a very necessary preliminary requirement to any further extension to them of selfÂgovernment.
Our relationship to the Philippines is much broader than dollars and cents. Economic factors ought not to be decisive with them or with us. There are mutual responsibilities to the people involved and to the rest of the world which rise above questions of profit.
Citation: Calvin Coolidge Says: Dispatches Written by Former-President Coolidge and Syndicated to Newspapers in 1930-1931 (Calvin Coolidge Memorial Foundation)
The Coolidge Foundation gratefully acknowledges the volunteer efforts of Pamela Mett who prepared this document for digital publication.