The times., 1897-11-10
WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 10, 1897.
The People Demand 10 know.

ne People demand 10 know.
weare 4pt roair ourselves on our superior
position IL regard 10 the blessings OF free
government compared With Great Britain,
As = matter Of fact, there are many con
suruuonaI respects IN which the American
people do not ENJOY the advantages or
the practical liberties that are possessed
and exercised by the citizens OF the
British nation. One OF them is the right
To question the government OF the day as
10 its eoreign policy, whether particularly
or generally. IL is possible, and usual,
under the British constitution, for mem
Der u rise in lis seat in Parliament and
- demand to know what the ministry in
tends 60 DO ir relation TO any internatona
movement or entanglement, and, sooner
OF later, tDe answer has got to come.
That is thoroughly in cuUs ,lIaH nee with the
abstract theory OF governmental respol-
sibfity t. the people In this country we
assume that the Federal Administration
always VIII respond 10 the universal viii:
butit is a false assumption, and the history
OF recent years demonstrates oonclusively
that it represents failure. on the part Of
tie trainers or the Constitution. to realize
that q power might grow up in America
which, cortemnfng the people, would be able
To take advantage Of our Institutional or
ganizauion TO wieid power, not only with
Indifference 10, but IN absolute defiance
Of national sentiment and viii.
Thus We have seen two administrations
pursuing d for-icn policy, particularly with
relation 70 Spain and Cuha, obnoxious u
every principle and IDEAL Of American
thought and Gath; in direct opposition 70
the rules Of international law, and in
fragrant anita gonism TO every national pre-
cedeut ard to The common instincts of
hgmanity- Yet the American people have
In all cases submitted. because they
are helpless. without resort 70 armed revo-
luton to escape from what now has be
CONE tlie erp-tisI "a of a series oT quadrennial
deSpotisuls, which having once consented
10. they are legally helpless to overturn
uum tha end Of the term for which any
one of them mas been fixed in office.
Since the year 1885 the American pen
IIe. with utter ia dienation and dismay.
have seen their governmental authorities
f. active alliance with Spain in the most
frlghtcul war against prisoners, non-com-
ha'ants women and children in Cuba that
history, medieval or modern, ever wit
messed. They have known that every con
slIeratian Of Christianity or civilization
made ii mandatory upon us sternIy 70
stop this carnage, these oatrages and IN
neItJicurtle atrocities. They have seen
that Their sentiments and demands were
ignored by the Government, for n0 reason
othc- ruan the control Of tie Government
is in the interest of certain financial and
iad8strial elements, whose material good
would be subserved by the perpetuatiou
OF Spanish power in Cuba And to this
end they have been compelled TO sit still
and see their flag DETAINED, their national
honor dragged in the mud and their love
Tor human liberty crushed.
Now, the American people are not
likely 70 stand this. They VIII not
idly see these things become precedents
without demanding why they, under an
ASSUMED Government OF. for and by the
people should not have the same right
10 question the Administration that their
Pritish cousins possess anc exercise under
a m0uarchicaI rule. Mr. Mckinley and
Mr Hanna, who, between them. seem to
rule America without any reference to the
ideas sr wishes Of its people, outside 9f
q few Combinations and syndicates inter
eS;ec:n IN Eold. Government bonds, nlonopolies
aid the like, are here put on notice tc
remember
The dag Of government against the uni
vtrsal Sentiment, the demands and TIE
honor of the people is drawing TO close.
II the powers that be DO not see the signs
Of The w,jrlWind In the sky, so much the
worse for tlemi