The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-14


The speech of President Mckinley at
Omaha, on Wednesday, was his first
important public utterance since his
messages to congress during and con-
corning the recent war with Spain. 1t
was a succinct review of the causes
beading to the war, of it's progress and
its cOnduct-in some particulars-a
wholesome commentator of the peO-
pie of all sections for the unity of pur-
pose and endeavor displayed by them
in the conflict, and great praise for
those who actively participated in hos
tilittss, as we'll as those who stood
ready in camp for the call to battle.
Clearly, however, the address was
carefully prepared in advance; and
while the occasion was non-partisan,
the utterances were evidently framed
with a view to a presentation of the
administration side of the questions
now paramount before the people on
the eve of a national election. 1t was
in some respects explanatory, but only
sufficiently so to leave the impression
upon the public that, while no inten-
ton existed to perform any immediate
act of violence against the traditional
policies of the government, circum-
stances might arise in which just
little departure from the pursuit Of
regular lines might come eventually to
be regarded conscientiously, and after
prayerful consideration, as the proper
thing to do.
This is the temptation of the hour,
and the president evidently recognizes
its existence.
But Mr.. Mckinley just crossed the
boundary between propriety and often
siveness when, in referring to those
who had won our battles, he rather
grandilequently exclaimed:
''Who will dim the splendor of their
achievements? Who will withhold
from them their we'll earned distinc-
ton? Who will intrude detraction at
this time to belittle the manly spirit
of the American youth and impair the
usefulness Of the American navy?
Who will embarrass the government
by sowing seeds of dissatisfaction
among the brave men who stand ready
to serve and die, if need be, for their
country? Who will darken the coun-
sells Of the republic in this hour re-
curing the united wisdom Of all?"
We would respectively reply to the
presidents numerous interrogatories by
saying that no patriotic person is pos
sessed Of any such purpose. Further
more, we would remark that it was
quite unnecessary for him to offer the
questions and his act was an offense
against the real spirit which animates
the people.
The special correspondent Of the Chi
cagO TimesH Herald takes occasion to
close his report of the event with this
observations:
There was no touch Of partisanship
in the address, no hint of self-praise,
but there was a singing rebuke to
those who would intrude detraction to
belittle the glory of the American
army"
Doubtless the correspondent had in
mind the quotation hitherto made when
he alluded to Singing rebuke to
those who would intrude detraction to
belittle the glory of the army"
''The glory of the army" has not
been detracted from by those who
sought the truth in regard to the con-
| duct of the war department. 'The
glory of the army is perfectly safe.
The conduct of our men in actual corr
/ f1ict has rendered it so. The armies of
the United States have never proved
| themselves to be anything else but
glorious. But the civil end in the.
| management Of the war department
has several times precipitated shame
full scandals upon the country. Even
Abraham Lincoln was compelled to
cast out his first secretary Of war,
while one Of those associated with the
| administration of President Grant suf-
fered the ordeal of an impeachment
trial. There are many people living
today who believe that neither the
glory Of the army" nor Of President
Mckinley himself, for that matter,
would suffer If there should be an
other expulsion Of a secretary of war,
or later on an impeachment trial Of
the same officer.
But meanwhile neither Mr.. Mckinley
nor his ardent admirers must get it
into their heads that detractiOn of any
particular official can do anything ''to
| belittle the manly spirit Of the Amer
lean youth and impair the usefulness
of the American navy"
To inquire into the causes why so
| many American youths, possessed of
| manly spirit, were cruelty neglected
| while serving under the authority OF
the secretary Of war, and to inquire
why an officer of the navy was so
grossly treated in the hour of victory
by subordinate who had been I'M
fairly made to outrank him will never
impair the usefulness Of the Ameri-
| can navy" Furthermore, there are
| duties belonging to the citizen as fixed
in their way as those which belong
to the president of the United States.
Mr.. Mckinley would better have ex-
plunged the above list Of interrogatories
from his address. They reflect upon
| the good sense of the people and the
reputation for fair sense of himself.
MCCardv peEfV Darf:cs-.