The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-27
THE JUDGMENT OF THE PEOPLE.

He is a blind observer of public opinion
who has not come to the conclusion that
very large majority of the American peo-
pie are in favor of the ratification of the
Spanish treaty, with all that it involves.
Two or three months ago this was not the
case. A limited number of enthusiasts were
shouting that when the stars and stripes
had been raised they could never be hauled
down" But such noisy persons rather dis
gusted than won people to their declara tons,
since sensible persons have always known
that treaties affecting territory can be- made
whose provisions may be such that the best
interests of even the United States would
dictate a withdrawal of its sovereignty and
|. it's flag. The giddy and impulsive do not
move the sober sense of the American
people.
1t is now evident that the people of this
country who make public opinion have been
silently but intently watching the trend of
events They have evidently noted the pro-
ceedings of the peace commissioners in Paris
with more interest than they have shown
for those who have set themselves up to
instruct the masses. Neighbors talking to-
gether evidently came to the conclusion. be-
fore the negotiation of the treaty was COM
pleted, that the government would fall short
of its declared purpose if it did not insist
upon possession of the Philippines. People
who admit now that they wish that the
United States was rid of the islands in
some way, still insist that there was no
other course for us but to take them from
Spain. TIC have failed to insist upon the
cession of the Philippines would have given
the lie to our high claim of making war
in the name of humanity to drive Spain
from Cuba
The one thing which more than any other
seems to have brought the country at large
to the support of the policy which the
treaty involves was the effort of the able
gentlemen who organized the Anti-Imperi-
alist League. 1t seems that the mass of peo-
pie regarded their arguments as offensive.
rather than convincing. To be appealed to
to oppose the demands of the American COM
missioners on the ground that the Republic
would be involved in certain ruin if it
should obtain the sovereignty of the Phil
ippines was to the American people a re-
Election upon the strength of our institu-
IlOAS Which, dIOuSeu resentment. Yet lew
knew the extent of that resentment until
the leagues protests against the treaty were
denied signatures. IN fact, the circulation of
these protests and the beggarly lists of
signers first made clear to the country the
weakness of the anti-Philippine movement
and the overwhelming sentiment of the coun-
try in favor of the ratification of the treaty
with Spain.
It has been claimed that Colonel Bryans
influence and advice have caused the change
in the attitude of senators toward the Span
ish treaty. This is not the case Mr.
Bryans first opinion was against the treaty,
but it came to him, as it came to senator's.
that it would not do for any man who had
political ambitions, or any party which had
desire for future, to oppose a treaty the
rejection of which involved national coward
ice before the world. 1t was the opinion of
the mass of the people coming to senators
which has caused the change of sentiment
in the Senate; and the people arrived at
their conclusion by bringing to bear upon
the question their good sense.