The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-02-11
enato smiths monro Doctrine
speech.

4AtSttUtS.
senator Smiths Monroe Doctrine
speech.
The speech of Senator James Smith upon
the Monroe Doctrine, which we reported in
full yesterday, was q highly honorable ef
fort, 1t was at once patriotic and wise. 1t
steeled the judicious middle course between
the hlatanr provocativeness of Senator Da-
Wis and his reckless allies on the one hand,
and the sordid cowardice of Senator Sewcll
and the Evening Post ON the other. The
speech was dignified in tone and lucid in
its treatment of the subject. 1t shows US
the Democratic Senator from New Jersey at
his best. and it may be taken as evidence
that Mr.. Smith, like David B.. Hill, if he
could get away from some of the ideas and
methods of ward politics. might develop in
to a statesman and a Senator. 1t is rather
pitiful to think of the man who was prepar-
ing this speech for the public good with his
right hand, throwing pap with his left at the
very same time, to the discredited gang who
have brought ruin on his party in the State
and thrown back the ideas which it stands
for, at least a decade.
Mr.. Smith has been accused of too great
subserviency to business and financial inter
Eests Of a powerful calibre. We fear the
charge has been painfully true at times
But, at least the Senator knows where to
draw the line. He has been ready to use his
influence in behalf of capital when the taxa
ton question was upon the carpet; but he
does not go SO far as his Republican col
league who seems to think that everything,
even honor, is secondary to considerations of
realizes, are never quite opportune, and if
Presidents had always waited for the market
to take the right turn before asserting prin-
ciples with fire and sword. some very spirit
ed chapters of American history might never
Aasc ucSu WIitUeu.
There is only one omission which we con-
slider curious in the Senator's speech. We
do not find in it any reference to the bond
ing transaction recently accomplished, or
any ~allusion to the relations between this re-
markable performance and the recent '.war
scare We cannot help thinking Mr.. Smith
lest an opportunity here. It is the crawling
way of the Evening POST to say that the
Government loan was quite successful. ''con-
sldering-n Mr.. Smith might well have said
it was highly successful because"
To everyone except the "Post" it is plain
that the Presidents Message did not impair
the national credit. Our financial status is
secure in the world. even in the event of
war. We go one step further. We say the
Presidents Message confirmed our credit,
both at home and abroad. 1t aroused the
patriotism and spirit of self-reliance of our
own people. 1t taught Europe that we were
not afraid to fight, and brought into vivid
realization in the minds OF foreigners the
~unbounded resources of population, courage
and natural wealth on which we could rely
in case we engaged in a contest. We would
go SO far as to say that, in case the Venezue-
Ian incident had not arisen, the subscrip-
tons to the hundred millions wtath of
bonds would not nav exceeded one-half
what the call actually elected, and probably
the average price of the winning competitors
woul have been far below what it is.
1t is very pleasant to be able to con-
scieptiously speak words of unqualified
praise for New Jerseys Democratic Senator
We do SO all the. more cordially now be-
cause we have SO often been forced to differ
from him.. On this occasion we can speak
with whole-souled and ungrudging endorse
ment. For his wise, moderate, and at the
same time patriotic counselling on this most
vital subject be deserves well of the State.
He has lone the country a service. He
should have the outspoken endorsement of
every Democrat in New Jersey.