The record-union., 1897-03-04

questions that have divided the senti-
ment of the people, we have no reason
whatever to doubt Whoever attempts
to place obstacles in the way of the
dominant party in that endeavor, will
act with unwisdom. The Presidents
party must have full and ample oppor-
tunity, and that without petty opposi-
tion and annoying interruption, to bring
about as it hopes to do, complete ad-
justment Of the financial system affect
ing the currency and standards.
But it is not to such matters that the
immediate attention of the people is di-
rected. Interest in the inauguration OF
about questions not of graver interest
but assuredly of more pressing impor-
tance and immediate concern. What is
to be our foreign policy, and what is to
be our position concerning the protection
of our citizens abroad? These are the
questions in settling and answering
which, the new President is to play so
important part.
Not that it is expected that the fun
damental principles of non-intervention
in foreign quarrels, and freedom from
ENHANCEMENT with foreign politics are
to be disturbed, or that any one We'll
wisher of his country desires that they
shall be modified. But there is an
under current of American sentiment
that President Mckinley cannot ignore
demanding two things, namely, that, IN
the matter concernment by other ma
continents and their adjacent waters,
the United States of America has liv-
ing interest and has the right to be
heard SO far as is necessary to preVen'
the extension of monarchical institu-
tions in such sections, or the destruc-
ton or serious impairment of the inde-
pendence of any State of these conti-
nents
In other words, the people of the
United States expect of President Nc
Kinley rather an advance of the Mon
roe doctrine, than yielding anything
whatever of its principles, or modifica-
tion of its doctrines.
They expect also that the new Presi-
dent will not be passive concerning the
Cuban question. They do not demand
that he give any special exhibition of
Jingoism, or flourish the American en-
They do not desire that he shall pro-
woke a conflict with Spain that will lead
us into war. But the American people
do demand and expect of the new ad-
ministration such assertion of Ameri-
can right as viii spare the nation any
further shame and humiliation because
of indignities unresented to which
American citizens have been subjected
in Cuba. They do expect that he will
give the Spanish ruler to understand
that if the war with the Cuban insur-
gents is continued, it must be conducted
according to the humanities and rec
ognized rules of civilized warfare.
The American people expect of Presi-
dent Mckinley that he viii lend the
full power of his office and Admins
tration to securing for all citizens of
the United States abroad full and am
pie protection in all the rights and pri-
vileges lawfully theirs. The American
people expect from the Administration
a far more vigorous assertion of the
intention and ability of this Govern
ment to secure for it's people and its
flag greater need of respect abroad, and
fuller recognition of all rights under
the flag guaranteed by treaty, or by the
laws of humanity and of nations.
That the American citizen abroad has
not now the protection secured to the
British subject abroad, is a fact that
stings the sensitiveness of our people,
and is in their eyes a reproach to the
nation. That We shall early be able
to assure our people protection in all
civilized lands equal to that which is
toria is the reasonable demand and the
hope that is ardently entertained by
all Americans.
That such a policy concerning the
revenues Of the nation may be inau-
gurated and carried out as will stiffen
commercial confidence and improve in
dustrial conditions, is the hope of the
people for the incoming Administra-
ton. 1t is likely we apprehend. to ex-
cite expectation in excess of that which
can be as early realized as the more
ardent believers in a protective policy
look for. However. that the change
of Administration is to result in
bettered business tone, and in the real
iZation Of many hopes we believe and
cannot doubt.
TIE LAST VETO.