The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-14

President Mckinley is always happy in
his public addresses, but in his speech at
the Omaha exposition he surpassed himself.
The story of our recent achievements in
arms has been told many times, but it will
never be told more effectively, in so short
space, than it was by the President on that
occasion. A third of a century away from
the war between the sections, the President
is the first to recognize the valor of Lee,
Jackson and Longstreet as Americans, and
to say that they should be spoken of in con-
nection with the names of Grant, Sherman
and Sheridan. If any young man who has
been in the late war shall ever be taunted
by the thoughtless with not having seen
war; he can read to him the glowing tribute
of the President:
New names stand out on the honor roll of
the Nations great men, and with them I'M
named stand the heroes of the trenches and
the forecaStle, invincible in battle and un-
complaining in death The intelligent. loyal
indomitable soldier and sailor and marine
regular and volunteer, are entitled to equal
praise as having done their whole duty,
whether at home or under the baptism of
foreign fire.
No more dignified but effective rebuke
could have been administered to those who
knowingly or otherwise have labored to
cause the people to forget the brilliant
achievements of our army and navy than
the following:
Who will dim the splendor Of their
achievements? Who will withhold from
them their well-earned distinction? Who
will intrude detraction at this time to be-
little the manly spirit of the American
youth and impair the usefulness of the
American navy? Who will embarrass the
government by sowing seeds of dissatisfac-
ton among the brave men who stand ready
to serve and die, If need be, for their coun-
try? Who will darken the councils Of the
Republic in this hour requiring the united
wisdom of all? Shall we deny TO ourselves
what the rest of the world so freely and so
justly accords to us? The men who en-
dured, in the short but decisive struggle, its
hardships, its privations, whether in the
field or camp, on ship or in the siege, and
planned and achieved its victories, will
never tolerate impeachment, either direct
or indirect. of those who won a peace whose
great gain to civilization is yet unknown
and unwritten.
For the future the President. unlike many
others, has no Interchangeable policy. Do
what is right in the present and go forward
with IAN mistaken resolution to do the
right. seeking only the highest good of the
Nation and recognizing no other obligation.
pursuing no other path but that of duty
Then he closes:
Right action follows right purpose. We
may not at all times be able to divine the
future; the way may not always seem
clear. But If our aims are high and unset
fish, somehow and in some way the right
end will be reached. The genius of the Ma
ton. its freedom. its wisdom, its humanity,
its courage. it's justice, favored by Divine
Providence. will make ii equal to every task
and the master of every emergency.
The patriotic people of this country will
not turn their backs upon the President who
is inspired by such faith and such high pa
triotism.