The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-24
WHO WILL HAUL 1T DOWN9
The Country Not Afraid to stand by
Its Flag.
BROOKLYN Eagle.


With a sentence the President electrified
the South. He threw a garland on a Con-
federate grave, and Georgia was aroused.
Her sister Commonwealth are equally re-
sponsive to the touch at which the last
vestige of sectionalism promises to fade
away. The trip will become historical: 1t
commentaries the death of what could be
completely obliterated only in the fullness of
time. 1t was almost worth while to quarrel
with Spain If for no other reason than that
such priceless service should be rendered
Over the tomb of SectiOnalism the Presi-
dent waved the flag of his country declar.
ing that Southerners had added new lustre
to its shining stars. They have been planted
in two hemispheres, he said, there TO remain
the symbol of liberty and law, of peace and
progress. Who. he asked, will withdraw
from the people over whom 1t floats its pro-
tecting folds? Who will haul it down? The
anything that conveys the idea of an answer
worthy of the question. 1t was marred by
no whisper of dissent and 1t is spanning
continent gathering volume as it sweeps
across the States. Elsewhere will be asked
the question. who shall haul 1t down? and
elsewhere will the voice of doubt be drowned,
if lifted anywhere. by the thunder OF
chorus
realizes that there are civil victories which
may be harder to win that military tri-
umphs but he has no misgivings. His con-
fidence in the people of the United States
is absolute He believes that they will prove
themselves worthy of the trusts civilization
has bestowed upon them. We are on the
threshold of a mighty task. We have pro-
voked bitter hostility abroad and critical
eyes are turned in our direction. There are
those here at home who would have us re-
treat. They are barking at the heels Of
progress. They would answer the President
by folding up the flag at Manila, if not by
Withdrawing it from the heritage at our
DOORS They could carry their logic to its
limits only by refunding the money with
which we bought Louisiana and by asking
Russia TO return what it cost to buy Ala ska
They Haunt the Constitution in our faces,
but would luey have us ask Mexico to
oblige us by resun1ing possession of one of
the Pacific States? We have moved for
ward since we began to deal with Spain,
and if we are to turn about why not retrace
all of our steps? Because, to quote the
President as we look back upon the acqui-
sition of territory by our fathers. we are
filled with wonder that any doubt could
have existed or any apprehension could
have been felt for the wisdom of their ac-
ton or their capacity TO grapple with the
then untried and mighty problems.
There was doubt in the White House be-
had become irresistible did the President
give way before IT, After that ii was not
necessary to spur him. There was doubt in
necessity for keeping IL not clear at
Washington as 1t has since become. Ones
appreciated, no power on earth could swerve
the man at the helm. There were rumors
that, following a conquest by naming a pur-
cepted. They were worth less than the
breath bestowed upon them. The richest
nation on earth has not money enough to