The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-12-12
THE PRESIDENT MAY BE CENsUREo.

That ambassador Bayard's slurring
speeches about American politics and
policies were highly improper and un-
patriotic there can be no doubt. No
public man in the United States nor
ance by an American representative in
a foreign country. The Journal has
already expressed the opinion that Mr..
Bayards offense does not call for so
serious a proceeding as impeachment.
but it does call for a strong expression
of disapproval by Congress. and. no
doubt, there will be a vote to that effect.
Mr. sBayard is not the only high official
who is likely to be reprimanded by Con-
gress. From present indications the
President will also incur the indirect
censure Of that body by its action on
the Cuban question. His position on
that question in his recent message was
as little in accord with American ideas
as Mr.. Bayard's speeches were. In all
that the President said concerning the
present instruction there was not one
word of sympathy with a people
struggling for liberty. On the contrary,
the whole effect of what he said was
unfriendly and discouraging to the in
surgents. He spoke Of the insurrection
being confined ito a large part Of the
eastern interior Of the island" whereas
the Cuban forces occupy fully three
fourths of the island and really control
everything outside of the fortified cities
on the coast He deprecated this
fragrant condition of hostilities" because
it had the effect of 'arousing senti-
mental sympathy and melting adventur-
Gus support among our people," He said
the Cubans seemed to be struggling for
larger autonomy and greater freedom"
whereas everybody knows they are
struggling for entire independence. He
speaks Of 1.-THE cruelties which appear to
especially characterize this sanguinary
and fiercely conducted war" without
mentioning that. so far as known, the
cruelties and parbarities have all been
on the side of the Spaniards. His hope
that "the devastation Of armed conflict
may speedily be stayed and order and
quiet restored to the distracted island"
ey1Qently means ludl lie uOpcS the Span
ish government will soon succeed in
putting down the instruction.
With much less verbiage than this the
President could in a few sentences have
given expression to the love Of liberty
which pervades the American people. to
their sympathy with all who are strug-
Cling for freedom. and to their hope
that eventually every part Of the west
ern continent and the islands of the sea
will come under republican government.
He could have done this without violat-
ing the proprieties Of his position or SUBJ
jecting himself to the charge Of jingo-
ism, and the people would have z proved
and applauded 1t. His treatment of the
question is entirely devoid Of Ameri-
can.sm.
II Congress passes resolutions direct
ing the recognition OF the insurgents as
belligerents. or IL 1t even passes resolu-
tons OF sympathy with the insurgents
II will be so distinct a disapproval OF
the Presidents position as to amount to
a vote Of censure. And really he de-
serves 1t almost as much as Mr.. Bayard
does, for. while one was conspicuously
unpatriotic. the other omitted a notable
opportunity to express patriotic and
American views.