The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-06

But even then the insurgents were unable
to make Roadway beyond guerrilla pro-
cess of devastation and decentralization, ana
when We declared war with Spain It was
on the ground that the whole Island of Cuba
was in an 1ntolerable'' condition.
If there is TO be a new party line drawn
GlWdlng the people of the United States,
let 1t be a line with patriots on one side
and The opponents of American supremacy
on the other Mere adherence to old poll
cles and traditions is not true patriotism.
For four hundred years the Spaniards have
adhered immovably to policies and tradi-
tions" which were once adequate to SPANS
needs; but changing civilization has called
for shifting Of the old policy and slough
ing OF old traditions, and because that call
was unheeded Spain is in ruins. Shall we
emulate SPANS example by blind reliance
upon traditional authority and legendary
wisdom? Will a careful and thoughtful
statesman like Senator Morgan or express
ident Cleveland say that the illustrious Paul
Jones, sanctited by almost incredible VIC
tories, laid down naval rules applicable 10
our sea lighting of to-day? Paul Jones
could not have known the simplest element
of our present warfare. The same is true
OF those noble pioneers who established the
initial policy and rudimentary philosophy of
sSt.a,tesmanShip which are our political ira
voluntary quaver of old age when 1t calls
Tor an immovable gaze upon the past.
DEMANDS OF THE TIME.
But the present is no time for political
senility. A new era demands young blood,
young life, the confidence of a growing and
vigorous craftsmanship. 1t is now ti1na for
the people to be led by men who look for
ward and who feel the inspiration of what is
coming. The party or the man that is not
willing for the future to overtop the past is
not a safe guide The statesman who spends
his time and energies with his back to the
future and his face to the faded realm of
precedent" and tradition" is victim or
the same disease that has destroyed the
vitals of Spain.
AS an American, loving my country ABOVE
precedent. tradition and party 1 shall hope
that there will be no serious division upon
the question of Cuban government. Our flag
will soon wave from the heights of that
magnificent island. 1t will be a signal 10
all the world that we there TO stay for
ever, and that our freedom and our good
government are there forever. At the foot
of that Flagstaff will be a stain of blood.
holy stain, testifying of heroic patriotism
and of awful fighting by Americans. What
party will be silly enough to present the
issue by demanding that we pull that flag
down? Once upon time that flag went up
and flung the light of American freedom
over Hawaii; a party hand took it down.
In the next election the defeat of that party
was something memorable even though the
issue and the leader rendering It had been
incontinently repudiated by that party
Righteousness is the only safe rule. Where
the flag goes up in righteousness, there in
righteousness let it stand forever. claim
no gift of prophecy. The lamp of the past,
as a great Virginian truly said. shines over
into the future. By that light it is easy to
see with what Indignation American pa
triots will receive the proposition to haul
down our flag and abandon Cuba to the
horrors of independence under Latin civil
iZation.
If any American citizen is hesitating in
the. rosy fog of that sentimental delusion
which hoyers over the words freedom
and Independence as applied to the future
of Cuba, let him visit San Domingo and
Haiti There he will see a fair exhibition
of what those words mean in the vocabu-
larV 0f nnlptfprp0 negroes. nalf-D breeds and
few whites Of Latin descent If duty has
any weight we will never turn Cuba over
to such a fate Our civilization and our
government must follow our flag. and the
glorious trio must arrive to stay. We all
recollect when President Grant desired to
lift our national emblem over San Domingo
If his wise suggestion had been accepted
that island to-day would be one Of our rich
est and happiest domains. and what a
strategic power 1t would have proved when
this war came on! Some of us see 1t now:
the great military hero saw it then.
But there is a higher ground than mill.
tary need upon which our duty to take
Cuba and hold 1t forever must ultimately
rest. 1t is ethical ground. Cuba needs ouE
civilization and our government to lift her
people out of darkness into light. VIII any
true American go before his compatrioh
prOcaiming that Cubans are more civilized,
more capable more humane than we are4
Will any party risk a campaign on the
theory that we would Cypress the Cubans i
the doctrine of distrust in the force of our
national character and the permanent
benehcence Of our form OF government ana
of the civilization 1t represents be safe
foundation for an appeal to American pa
triotism? 1t will be a dark hour for our
country where any considerable minority
mot to speak of a majority of our people
shall be led to believe that life under our
laws, our freedom and our flag is not the
most blessed boon that could be secured by
any people That is what we are fighting to
give to Cuba and that IS what she must
take She has tried four hundred years Of
Latin civilization; she now exchanges II for
Anglo-American civilization Can any party
make American patriots believe that the exc
change will be an Injustice?
MAURICE THOMPSON.
Charlottesville, Ind, July s.