The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-28

II ii sachusetts held at Boston, We'd
WI nesday night, the principal speaker
was Hon. John d. Long, secretary
of the navy. In the course of a mastery
address he said:
New problems of the gravest import
have been suddenly sprung upon the
country. The administration was re-
sponsi.e, when congress declared the
war, tnat it should he prosecuted with n
view to the cOmpletcst and most COM
prehensive success. But ii is not re-
sponsible for the fact that success has
brought with 1t new phases of territorial
expansion and the grave question of
dealing with the tremendous responsible
tiles which the war has placed upon the
shoulders of the American government.
They will be dealt with with all the wis
dom that the administration can bring to
bear and with all that II can gather from
the best intelligence, sentiment and coun-
sci of the American people. i know that
If ever there was a man who loved his
country, a servant of the public whose
sole purpose was to do his duty. and who
was guided by a prayerful sense of ac-
countabilty to God ard fellowmen, 1t is
President Mckinley. For two years I
have sat at the cabiret table, and recall
not one occasion when in the discussion
there of any question one word has been
Uttered with regard to its effect or bear
Ing on the personal or political fortunes
of the president or of any member of his
cabinet, or of the rarity Of which he was
the choice two years ago, as today he is
tho choice of all the people.
"Has 1t ever occurred to you to reverse
the picture? Suppose during the last two
years the Democratic party had been In
power, and-if it is not too violent a
stretch of the imagination--a Democratic
president in the white house. Suppose
during that time that the policy of the
administration had been such that north
and south and all sections of the country
had been welded together as never before;
suppose that undor this Democratic ad-
ministration great war had been con-
Quoted triumphantly to a. swift, victorious
end that the revenues gushed forth
abundantly; that the treasury was fun;
that the national credit was at the very
highest mark. that under the opera ton
of improved revenue laws this abundant
supply of revenue and this excellence of
the national credit was assured for years
to come; and that the revivirg industries
of the country were responding to better
times. Suppose all this, and what, then,
would be the appeal of the Democratic
orator on the stump or the Democratic
editorial in the newspaper?
Let us be as just TO ourselves and to
our own administration as, if the tables
were turned, we should be asked to be To
any other administration that had accom-
plished such a result No wonder that
the intelligence, the hope. the faith of
the country and the commonwealth are
with the Republican PARTY. What i'm
preston will you mean to convey, If you
do not vote this fall the Republican
ticket? Will you mean to imply that the
administration of President McKinIey-an
administration of which it may be said
ha Gaid Of An
waged its wars that it seemed to seek
only the glory of war; but it so nursed
tho arts of peace that 1t was more glo-
riOus i'm peace than in war; an admins
tration in the interest of national re-
union; of sound money; of full treas
ury; of triumphant success In war ana
peace-that such an administration is TO
be condemned?
"ls there an American who is not proud
of that administration? Is there an
American who will not sustain It? What
were you all saying six months ago-you
Republicans, you Democrats: you re-
formers you sound money men; you pa
triots everywhere? What were you say
ing then except words of praise for the
president and his performance of his du-
ties; for his firm stand for the improve
ment OF the civil service; for his confirm
ing and assuring words in behalf of sound
uniting, In the bonds of a union of heart
as we'll as of form, all sections of the
country; for his efforts to avert the. grim
visage OF war and to maintain peace?
Where, then, was the failure? What did
you mean when you crowded about him
with congratulations; when in editorial
and press dispatch you had no word too
cordial in his behalf; when, IL you saw
him or any member of his cabinet, you
had only expression of satisfaction With
his course? Is IT possible that now In the
meaner zest of political campaign any
of you will forget this? Does he deserve
less at your hands because, reluctant
to prosecute the war which congress de-
clared, he has prosecuted II with the ut
most vigor, with unfinching persever-
ance, and with a swift, sure triumph of
your arms on land and on sea; or be-
cause on the first intimation of the pos
sibility of peace he has led the way to
1t by the most generous terms that ever
conqueror granted to the conquered?
There have been faults and shortcomings
mistakes here, and mistakes there. But
when you sweep the field from the hill
top Of fairness and good sense, and not