The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-06

only unnecessary, but the work of yellow
journals. demagogues and politicians. 1t is
scarcely necessary to say now that the ac-
ton of Congress was not premature or in
appropriate, but fully warranted.
had no patience with the proposition that
Spain should receive compensation for her
abdication of the country she had misgov-
erned for centuries and despoiled and desc
Continuing, the senator said: There has
been much said recently about incompe
tency and misLlanagement, on account of
which our troops have suffered severely.
No doubt there have been some mistakes.
1t would be remarkable if there had not
been; but full investigation will indicate
the integrity of all who have been assailed.
All have only tears for the dead and those
who have been stricken with disease and
separable features of all wars, and, not
withstanding all that may have occurred of
this character, the fact remains that the
record of the three months during which
that war continued is the most brilliant in
American history. 1t has scarcely an equal
in the annals of the world. Almost before
we realized that we actually had war, Spain
was suing for peace. Two of her navies
had been completely destroyed, and one of
her largest armies had been defeated and
compelled to surrender.
In this war we have builded wiser than
we knew. Our fathers OF the revolution did
in resistance of tyranny. Events broadened
their purpose. Lincoln called for troops to
save the Union but events broadened his
purpose and slavery was abolished. Our
Initial action had reference only to Cuba,
but Spain declared for. war generally and
thus broadened the field SO as to include
Porto Rico and the Philippines, and thus
we have greater preSuge-free Cuba and
territorial acquisitions OF incaleulable inn
sons. We have learned that 1t is not wise
to be wholly or practically unprepared for
war 1t is a wise maxim still that in time of
peace we should prepare for war, at least
to the extent of maintaining army and
navy commensurate with our wealth and
population and interests; and in this con-
nection we have learned that we cannot de-
pend on great wealth or great population
or Jealous patriotism for our national de-
Tense. 1t was our good fortune that the
long peace since our civil war was first in
terrupted by trouble with Spain rather than
with England or some other great power
necessity for coast defenSes, a good navy
and a good army, both adequate in num-
hers as we'll as in quality. We have learned
another thing, and that is that the Mica
ragua canal is essential not only to COM
merce but also to our efficient defense. To
reach the scene of action the Oregon was
required to sail 10000 miles farther than
would have been necessary If she could have
crossed the isthmus and now, with the Iowa
as a consort, she has started to return to
the Pacific and it is estimated that it will
require three months for them to pass from
our eastern to our western coast and reach
their destination.
."The great questions of the hour are what
shall we do with Cuba? What shall we do
with Porto Rico, and what, particularly.
with the Philippines? So far as Cuba is
concerned there should be no question what
ever. The Cubans have earned their indie
pendence. We have Solemny declared not
only that they are free and independent,
but also that they shall have a government
of their own choosing. We must keep our
promise and we will. But this promise of
independence to Cuba does not apply to
Porto Rico or to the Philippines. We took
those islands by the conquest of war and
they are ours. l do not know what the
treaty of peace now being prepared in Paris
will provide, but | sincerely hope 1t will
give to the United States not simply coal
ing station or single island, but the whole
group of the Philippine islands / have no
to govern them, and 1 feel that it would be
a crime to return them to the government
of Spain. Under our protection and
guidance they can have intelligence and
operations in the far East highly essential
to securing our fair share of the trade in
China and the rest of the Eastern world.
lone of the questions now pressing upon
US is how to provide governments for these
islands and so to govern and direct affairs
as to acquire the commerce to which we are
entitled and secure the consequent pros
perity of all our people. Only that party
should be intrusted with 1t that has shown
itself most capable of dealing with great
affairs. Both in peace and in war the Re-
publican party has proven equal to every
emergency, and the record 1t has made is
guarantee that it will meet these problems
of the future and solve them with the same
triumphant success that has attended 1t In
all it's brilliant career / do not believe any
fair-minded Democrat would question the
fitness of the Republican, party for the dis
be otherwise, the work is already in the
hands of President Mckinley. What he
wants is the support of Republican House
of Representatives.