The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-25
THE PEOPLE LEARNING PATIENCE.

1t is likely that when events come to be
viewed in their true relations the present
period Of expectancy, awaiting news of the
naval operations in West Indian waters.
will be found to have had somewhat of a.
SOLDERING and educational effect on the pub
lie mind. AS people we are naturally in
clined to be too excitable and impatient
our habit of rapid accomplishment in ordi-
nary affairs incliping us to expect too much
in extraordinary ones.
OF all human undertakings there is none
more vast, difficult and dangerous than the
prosecution of war, and when it finds ma
ton unprepared the labor and difficulties
are enormously increased. The American
people are too apt to forget this and to de-
mand impossibilities of the government
This disposition was very prominent at the
beginning of the civil war; but by the time
1t had lasted two or three years the people
were much more reasonable. They had
learned from experience that the govern
ment had stupendous task on it's hands
and that every movement and detail re-
quired time. They learned, also. to trust
the powers that be more than they did at
first. The foolish ION to Richmond" cry,
which was so embarrassing to the govern
ment in the early months of the war, was
not heard after year or two. The people
found that those in authority understood
the situation better than they did, and were
much more likely to get to Richmond if left
free to form and execute their plans in
their own way than if bounded and en-
barrassed by popular clamor. AS time
passed the people learned to be patient and
wait for events. They did not insist on
knowing the plans of campaign in advance
nor the happenings of every day as they
occurred. When General Sherman cut loose
from his base at Atlanta and started on the
march to the sea it was month before the
Northern people heard a word from him.
During this time they were anxious, but
they had learned to be patient and to have
confidence that those in charge of affairs
in Cabinet and field were doing their duty.
Something of the same educational change
is going on now. The ION to Cuba clamor
is not as insstent as it was a few weeks
ago, and the people have ceased to expect
news of a great battle and victory every
DAY. Iney see tnaL Wnlle a vast amount OF
work has been done in the way of mobiliz-
ing an army much remains to be DONE
and that it is unreasonable and absurd to
demand the invasion Of Cuba before the
new recruits are armed or shod not to
speak of drill and discipline. The situation
in regard to our fleets is equally educationa
The people are not nearly as impatient as
they were a fortnight ago. Anxious they
certainly are and eager for the earliest
news of an expected victory, but they have
learned that the ocean is large, the dis
tances from point to point great and that
naval maneuvering is more complicated
than driving dog cart on an asphalt pave
ment Since the government began to sup
press contraband news they have more
faith in it's mastery of the situation, and
since our squadrons passed out of sight it
is realized that they are in command of
officers unsurpassed by any in the world
and worthy of perfect trust. No matter
where the fleets are or what they are try
ing to accomplish, the people feel absolute
Iy assured that Sampson and Schley are
doing their duty and will give good ac-
count of themselves. In short, they are
learning patience and self-control and how
to trust those whom they ought to trust