The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-17

whatever one may wish it to mean. Some
of the uses of this phrase suggest the reso-
luuons of certain people;
E" Resolved. first. That the earth belongs
to the Lords people
There is a solemn-sounding ceremony we
often hear, ending in union of two people
Paul, to be honorable among all men, and
therefore, is not to be entered into unad-
visedly or lightly. but reverently, discreetly.
adVisedly, soberly and in fear of God
commend this sentiment as a guide to the
effort to make American territory out of
lands now peopled by races utterly and for
ever to be alien to us in all that makes
American citizenship the glorious heritage
we hold it to be-
Il do not remember a subject on which so
many voices have been silent and so many
influences held abeyant. In our city our
press are discussing this question in a tenta-
tive way. They are usually OutSpoken on
all public questions, but here is a question
they nibble around and never make of ii a
full meal j ask of them. of all men, that
way that will leave the words OF our Presi-
dent and Congress a guide and monition
a resulting victory that makes our hearts
swell with pride We are mighty people
mightier than the world knew, We have
become great enough ABROAD 10 De almost as
well hated as is England.
Mr.. Finch was listened to with close at
tention, but there was not that enthusiasm
that would indicate his ideas were entirely
in accord with those of his hearers. Later
in the evening one or two speakers took ex-
ceptionS to his ideas OF expansion.
John B. COckrum was called on to speak
of the inheritance Member" The inheri-
lance members, he said, are the sons of men
who marched with Grant, Sherman and
Sheridan, who executed their orders, who
stood behind them and assisted them, who
stood by the great admirals on the sea.
There were many inheritance members in
the late war with Spain. men who fought
# e Taneg n a ta n psn Of the I'd
sustain the United States. with capital
u on the maps Of the world. In conc aI
men who united this country and have kept
1t united They are growing ole. We must
take their places. Let us resolve we will so
conduct our affairs. private and public, that
our fathers will not be disgraced.
Col Harry b. Smith, in discussing the
formation of the Indiana National Guard.
and its services in the recent war, said
that the military law passed in 1895 con-
tanned all the best features of the laws of
New Jersey. He said that he would regret
to see the law annulled as it contained many
excellent features, and with some amend
mentS would be as good as that of any
State. Colonel Smith spoke of the expert
ences of the. volunteers who left for the
war last spring. The same spirit that
animated you in 1861 was in the hearts of
the young men who volunteered last spring,
the same spirit of patriotism you exhibited.
They DID not know to what they were going,
but were content to do their duty"
CAPT. CURTIS ON PORTO RICO.
Capt James B. Curtis, commander of the
Twenty-seventh Battery, gave an interesting
talk of conditions as he had observed them
at Porto Rico. In patti he said:
'IThere is to my mind, no reason why our
people should not practically monopoize the
Porto Rican trade. This can only be done
by retaining the good will and adding to the
good impressions that those people had of
upon the arrival of the army of invasion.
1t can be accomplished by the Inauguration
and maintenance of a policy that will be
just to both people. There must be no over
reaching, even the slightest abuses. The
authorities in charge must be men OF the
highest type and widest experience and
places must not be filled by faVorites but
our first efforts in extending friendly hand
should be surrounded by every safeguard to
prevent, not only abuse, but deception. The
people are supplemented and trustful. open
and expansive, and as honest and upright
as previous training permits. and are, there
fore, entitled 10 the greatest consideration,
yet they must be ruled with hand that is
not only just, but firm. Under wise govern
ment, well-regulated restraints and the pro-
lection of old glory, these supplemented
casians who are not white, will soon aban-
don the use of charcoal for fuel, glasslesS
openings for windows, demoralizing cock
fights, the brutalizing OK goad and readily
develop into valuable citizens, who will fol-
low the leadership of modern people in their
manners and customs, while their land will
blossom under well-directed cultivation into
one Of the most beautiful picturesque and
prosperous on the face of the globe. When
the blockhouses which were the terror of
the army of invasion, have been turned into
sChoolhouses. the wheels of the canemis
again started, peon labor made free in fact
as well as in name, trade re-established
upon a correct basis, transportation facili-
ties developed and religious tolerance real
lied, then indeed will every foot of this
and its inhabitants, with healthy bodies and
minds, will assemble in holiday attire in the
picturesque plazas of the historic towns
and thank the people of the greatest Repub-
lie that ever existed for striking off the
shackleS which bound them to of the
most ancient as well as rotten, mon
arches
while every true American must be
proud of the victories of the army and navy
which made it possible to free not only the
people Of Porto Rico, but other millions yet
we must pause for reflection over the result
our traditional policy of America for Amer
leans. with its attendant cOrollary, or are
we to enter upon period, not of CONNER
cial expansion, but of territorial acquisi-
ton, with all its attendant evils and tempta-
TONS whereby Imperialism and militarism
as well as endless foreign complications, will
imperil our safety, or. worse still. our Con-
Sutuuon, which so great a statesman as
Gladstone declared to be the most perfect
political institution made at single mo-
ment? Can we afford to trample upon
either the provisions or the spirit of that
sacred document? Should the ignas fatuus
of territory tempt us into "A slough of in
trcacies from which there is no honorable
escape? Can we logically proceed with terri
toral expansion by destroying the barriers
which we have recently erected against
commerce? Can we rule our acquired terri
tory under the Constitution or under the
military power after annexation to the
United States without endless compiled
tons? Can we afford to take a position i'm
regard to territorial acquisitions contradic.
tory to one already assumed for commercial
purposes? These are questions which ii is
hardly proper to discuss at this time, but
which should command the most thoughtful
consideration OF every American proud CT
our Constitution, civilization. progress and
prosperity These questions must be deter
mined by our people, and it must be
derstood that the old flag once planted
shall not come down at the dictation of any
foreign power, but only when our better
judgment tells that the ends of human
ity have been accomplished and then if at
people too great to be blinded by the pos
sibilities of mere ACKNOWLEDGMENT at the eX-
pense of real progress and the spirit of our
institutions
Lieutenant Chrisman who was with the
Sixth United States Infantry at the battle
of Santiago, gave a modest account of the
part his regiment played in that famous
campaign. When he had concluded John B.
CoCkrum obtained recognition and craVed
permission to say that 'mOdeSty and braV-
cry go hand in hand. There was a young
lieutenant at San Juan who was as brave
as he modest. who, seeing his captain
marched il up the hill l propose the health
of Lieutenant ChriSman." The toast was
drunk with a loud cheer.
SURGEON CHARLTON'S RESPONSE.
DR.. Fred Charlton. a surgeon of the One
called on to represent the medical end of
the volunteer army. In part he said:
Those of us who spent the summer at