The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-06
NEXT POLITICAL ISSUE
MAURICE THOMPSON ON THE FUTURE
GOVERNMENT OF CUBA.
Reasons Why the Civilization of the
Great Republic Must Ultimately
Prevail in that Island.
To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal.


recent talk to a reporter that imperialism
or a career of conquest is impossible to our
country as result of the present war He
might have broadened his statement by add
ing that annexation and Imperialism are
not equivalent terms. He did imply this in
romarking that he was far from enter
tanning such an opinion as would deny our
right to acquire lands beyond the shores
of America" Evidently the senator's vision
was wider than his phrases were meant to
dlsclose-he spoke as one suggesting condi-
tons rather than stating a national policy.
1t is clear to careful student of current
politics that party leaders are somewhat
cautiously feeling the way to what they call
IAN issue" Both Democrats and Repub-
Means have sense of change in the wealth.
er currents of popular opinion and aspira-
ton. Financial questions are important,
but dollar-mark is always very poor
party coat of arms to rely upon when pa
triotic enthusiasm is desirable. Foreigners
nave called us money wcrshipers, but
when the flag appeals to US our money
Spills like water. In the presence of true
patriotism a comparison of metal discs
makes us ashamed
There is to be new issue as soon as the
autumn elections are over What will that
issue be? Will it rest upon free silver
1912 Will it call for another threshing of
the dry. mangied straw of tariff? These
may be minor interests kept in view merely
to hold the attention of Interchangeable and
unprogressive minds; for politicians never
forget to cast a sop to every taste. But
the mighty force of events, whose under
surge is lifting us to new levels of political
vision, must disclose questions to be seized
with prompt avidity by the controlling pop
ular mind. Some circumstances indicate
that certain of our political leaders would
like to divide the people upon the question
of so-caled imperialism" and thus make
this line of cleavage the partisan battle line
The only possibility of such an issue lies
in an unduly sudden and ill-considered leap
to conclusions; and it is as certain as the
Logic of history can make it that the party
forced into arraying itself against a new
current of national aspiration will be disas-
trously defeated. Are men of intelligence
so forgetful that they must have the is
sues and the results of 1860 retold to them?
A vast new national aspiration manifested
itself in that year. A party set its breast
against that rushing tide, and the tide went
over 1t, as over spit of sand. History
will repeat the act.
SHALL THE INFERIOR RULE?
Senator Morgan is wise and conscien-
tious statesman. He may, however, be I'M
able to rio himself wholly of the influence of
issues and traditions long since outgrown
and overpassed by our national development
1t is easy enough for the strongest and sin
cerest minds to attach overmuch importance
to closed incidents in which they have large
ly shared. Senator Morgan evidently feels
that our duty towards the Islands of Cuba
and Porto Rico commands us to give their
people the safest and best possible govern
ment. In Alabama, the senator's State
there has been some trouble on the score
or lndlscrlminate suffrage. Just over in
Mississippi where an illiterate majority ex-
listed, the trouble was eliminated by con-
stitutional provision DISTINGUISHING the illt-
crate citizens. VIII Cuba have the best form
OF government, according to the best Souon-
ern view, # 1t is to be controlled by the
llhterate, the inferior and the unframed
populace of that island?
Undoubtedly the most intelligent and
competent people in Cuba and Porto Rico
measured by the standard, invariably (and
/ think property used in our Southern
states, are the SpaniardS themselves and
the arlstocratic class of rich natives These
are, IN numbers, an almost insignificant mi
Horlty: Moreover, their educat ton has been
III ma d ulrectlon Numerically opposed to the
Trend OF our civilization. They are no more
IN sympathy with. our national aspirations
IMAM are the grandees of old Spain 1t is
one tnlng to wish to be Independent of
Spain; 1t is another thing to desire a de-
parture from the main line of Spanish civ
illzation. Cubans of Spanish descent: that
Is, me large majority of white Cubans. are
toD III reDeinon Tor the purpose of such a
departure. AS for the negroes the rnI,rad
population and the coolies they are grimlv
nsntlng Tor mere existence, and these IN
the insurgent armies -
Merely for the purpose Of examining the
s SUP. Iet US assume that one of the two
greae parties IN American politics will plant
user upon the doctrine of absolute indie
pehuence Tor Cuba, which logically would
give the same to Porto Rico the Philippines
Sno every other territory freed by us from
spanish oppression. l say logically, because
IL would be absurd to say that the sacred
right or self-government depends upon the
riebf elrie1nStances OF conquest If the
free ana equal 1t belongs to all alike TAX
ing this stand what will be the issue ten
oered 10 the other great political party?
QUESTION FOR MORGAN.
VIII Senator Morgan and his Southern
confreres in Congress range themselves with
the part that shall deny our right to force
our benignant civilization upon a people abb
jectly benighted, whom our vaIor and our
best blood have set free? Imperialism is an
ugly word; but the average American citi-
zen is not to be scared by it into proving
a traitor to his civilization and to his race.
The Anglo-American tide is going to wash
high over Cuba, and the most important
fight of the century will begin when the
war ends. 1t will be fought to settle the
eternal dominatio of that area. The party
sympathizing with perpetuation of I.atir,
clvihZation will not be the party that can
consistently or successfully appeal to Amer
lean patriotism for support.
Another phrase, quite as unattractive as
"a "a career OF imperialism" is "the lust of
tory" But it seems to a thoughtful mind
rather a trick Of oratory than a well con-
sidered proposition of craftsmanship to an
ply these qualifications to a duty imposed
upon us by righteous occupation of an
enemys territory. What are we fighting
this war for? From the deepest part of his
honest heart will Senator Morgan saw that
we are pouring out our treasure and our
blood taking on a vast and burdensome
war debt and adding largely to our honor
able yet onerous pension list. making thou
sands of widows and orphans. merely in
order that benighted, unlettered, semi
savage people may have the terrible luxury
of repeating the history of Haiti and San
Domingo? Is this the Issue to be settled in
our next national campaign?
We must comprehend history while we are
making ii. and we cannot do this by the
weak light of sentimentality. The Cubans
and Porto Ricans are proper subjects of
Christian sympathy and political concern.
but they are not the prime factor in the
reckoning. Our own interests are sunrema
for what is best for us is best for Cuba
and Porto Rico, or if one interest must
merge in the other it must be the less in the
greater The whole future OF America as
represented in our civilization is to be grave
ly affected by what we do with Cuba
SOURCE OF CUBA'S STRENGTH.
out there was but one rational hope for its
success namely, help from the people of
the United States. Spain owned that island