The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-03
CoMMERcTA1IsM RULES.
Chicago Tribune INDUCES in an Edi-
torial Snort of Disgust.

OO14d4 Oh disgust
The Washington dispatches printed in
yesterdays Tribune stated that:
I'm the absence of exciting news from
Havana and the transfer of the court of
inquiry to Key West, there has been a
noticeable cessation of the war talk
here in Washington. The conservative
attitude of the president has been re-
hected in congress, and members $50
last week would listen to nothing put
war are now disposed to wait patiently
for the actual decision by the court of
inquiry
When is that decision to be made
public? The court of inquiry is now at
Key West. From there it is to return
to Havana and await whatever reports
may be made by the divers who are
slowly investigating the condition Of
the wrecked Warship.
Is that court making all the haste 1t
can to get through so that its cOnclu-
SiOnS may be laid before the pubic, or
have it's members received a quiet tip
from the navy department or from some
other quarter to the effect that they
must make haste slowly and continue
searching for evidence long after they
may have all the evidence they need to
fix the guilt of the destruction of the
Maine on the Spaniards?
If the court has been advised to pro-
crastinate the question whether that
advice should be praised or condemned
would depend on the motive that
prompted it. If President Mckinley,
were guilty and that war was inevita-
Bile, should feel that necessary prepa-
rations remained to be made, procras-
tination would be proper. The people
would indorse his action.
But if the court of inquiry has received
an intimatiOn that delay will be accept
able, is the motive back of that advice
commendable?
Or is delay desired in order that the
public may cool down and the war
talk die away? Is time to be gained
to enable the Tories and the towards
mugwumps and jack rabbits-tO drug
into slumber the patriotic impulses and
the just resentment of the people? Are
they to be given time in which to use
their hypOdermic syringes and inject
morphine into the veins OF the body po-
litic?
Has the administration fallen under
the baIeful influence of the unpatriOtic
Americans? Is it intended that when
the report of the court of inquiry has
been received it shall be wrapped up in
stout paper, tied up with much red
tape, sealed with many seals, and tuck
ed away in some remote pigeon hole
where dust may accumulate on II dur
ing the coming years?
Is it intended when the first flush of
indignation over the treacherOuS muir
der of American 1Seamen has abated, to
suggest to bankrupt Spain that if it will
hand over some -pesetas or some of its
shinplasters, nothing more will be said
about the Maine, and it may go on
numbering CubanS to its heartS con-
tent?
Great activity is being displayed at
every navy yard and arsenal. Ships
which were laid up, are being prepared
for service. Guns are being mounted.
The ordnance factories are running
night and day. Are these serious prepa-
rations or are they a sham, designed to
amuse and deceive the people?
When all the work now IN hand IS
finished, are the people to be told that
thew must wait little lOn2Gr-LnaI
further preparations must be madeE
Are the people to be told that Chicago
titled so that they may not be exposed
to attack by a Spanish fleet?
The preparations which are making
now ought to be made. But do they
mean anything? VIII swift action 1oIo
low on the heels of their completion?
Or will one delay follow another until
the patriotic ardOr of Americans has
cooled down? Is that the policy of the
administration? The Tribune does not
think so.
That commercial spirit which believes
that speculation is the chief end OF
man is gaining strength in this country.
It is labOring to poison patriotism at
the fountain 1t seeks to make Ameri-
cans believe that dishonOr, shame, hui
initiation should be submitted to cheer
fully sooner than that the stock market
should be disturbed or the reVelries OF
the 400 be interfered with.
That base commercial spirit, acting
in unison with the muSWuTnpery of the
country, is trying to gain admission to
the councils of the nation and to hyp-
notice congress and the president SO
that they may do its cowardly will. Is
the commercial spirit to rule, the coun-
nv to he disgraced and the name of
Mckinley to be bracketed with that of
Buchanan?
or is the objectionable insult which
this country has received to be atoned
for bv the expulsion of the Spaniards
from Cuba?
Patriotic Americans hope for the lat
ter. They believe the administration
Foo1e thew IN