The age-herald., 1898-05-15
ETCHINGS FROM
 CURRENT TOPICS

Notwithstanding the fact that the public
 mind is concentrated upon the existent
 war between the United States and Spain,
 to the close observer of the trend of politi- cal events there has come the assurance
 that into the next general political cam paign will enter several new and unexpect- ed issues.
 These issues will be fought with the same tenacious pugnacity as has been ev.nced whenever any great and momentous mat ter has been appealed to the people. The most important of these vital ques-
 tions, which are comparatively new to the
 average voters, is the future foreign policy a
 of the country. The teachings of Washing
 ton and Monroe have so thoroughly per-
 meated American politics that the reopen- ing of this issue means the probable unex- pected demolition of political traditions
 which have been held sacred by the people of the United States since the beginning of the republic. But the nation has reach ed period in it's history and in its de- veopment when these political traditions
 will probably count for little. and thu, exi- gencies of. a remarkable present shall de-
 mand hearing.
  The war with Spain is making a deal of history, quite out of proportion poss ply with its importance, and the tremendous change which must necessarily come in the domestic and foreign policy of the republic is beginning to cause vast amount of speculative comment among statesmen and the thinking men and women of the coun- try. There can be doubts that future party alignments will be made very largely along this line, and in accord with in- dividual opinion upon this issue.
 
 The question of territorial expansion will be presented to the people of the United States in all probability in the next general political campaign, and the present temper of the people indicates that it will reeve the sanction and support of the majority of the voters. In view of this fact it VII not be amiss that a campaign of education should be naugurated by the leading minds of the country, as we'll as by the press, so that the average voter can determine intelligent- ly this matter of territorial acquisition for
 himself.
 In the hour of triumph and conquest it is not unnatural to desire to claim every ad- vantage that accrues to the conqueror
 
 Dewey's fleet in virtual possession of the
 Philippines; with the port at Havana block
 aded by an American squadron, and the
 navy of the United States seeking what It
 may destroy of the enemy all over the
 high seas, American aggressiveness is be-
 ginning to assert itself at home by an ad-
 yocacy of foreign territorial acquisition.
 This is to be expected; but the nation can- t1,ie ,ott cacies of the question are weighed ana studied.
 rerritorial expansion does not signify territorial representation, in the national congress There are many varying ana diverse issues connected indissolubly with tbis question. The genius of American statesmanshp has had many serious ana difficult subjects with which to cope in the past and this greatest of future questions will. in all probability, be settled satisfac- .. torily at the right time. In the glare ana flush of victory, and conquest, the people only recognize the tremendous potentiali- ties of a marvellous future. The discussion of the principles of national government
 must come at serener time, when the cons servative intelligence of the people has had opportunity to assert itself.
 
 The most encouraging and satisfactory action taken by congress in many day, was the passage of the measure in the house to change the constitution, throwing
 the election of United States senators di-
 rectly to the people of the country. This has long been dsired by the voters of the country and 1t is to be hoped that 1t will not be blocked by the senate. If every senator honestly represents the citizens of the state from which he comes there can be no reason for voting against such a righteous measure-
 Alabama wants to elect her senators henceforth and forever by popular vote in- stead of by legislature. To represent any people man must keep in close and friendly touch with them, and Alabamians are growing clamorous for intimate friend ship with their senators in the future. A
 barely speaking acquaintance at election times is thoroughly unsatisfactory. A resi- dence in the state and an occasional cam paign among all classes of the people from the banker. the professional and business man in the cities to the enthusiastic "wool hat boys" on the farms, would do much to keep the senators of every state in close
 and friendlier sympathy with their con- stituents.
 It would also give them the advantage of a better knowledge of how their people feel upon the great questions of the day. Hon. Oscar W. Underwood deserves the thanks of Alabamians for his activity re- garding this bill. He voiced the sentiments of the state in demanding that the people shall be allowed to elect their senators. BALI. DEwEYs GUESS WE DO. IT. E. w. Jr.. in Philadelphia Times