The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-17
PAGES.
SUNDAY. JULY II, 1898.
If II Were Voted On.

70 embark IN COloHy
aatter themselves that they an
nounce the conclusion OF the whole
matter when they make the statement
that II to-day the question OF annexihs
ali the Spanish domain over which our
gag NAV loaf during this war were
submitted. a majority in the United
states would vote aye" That dog
matte statement may or may not De
true. II is a valueless statement, how
ever. because, hrst, a vote Is not going
TO be taken at this time and. In the
second place. even IL a vote were taken
now. II would be no test OF what popu-
lar opinion will be when the American
people. after thoughtful study, really
pass upon the question. 1t Is the
custom with the people Of this country
to campaign all vital public questions
they do not reach conclusions with IN
c~ons,derate haste. Public discussion -
the iever that moves the citizens OF tho
United States. AS the result OF THIS
discussion, time and again, American
citizenship has reversed It's views re-
.pecting national projects of the high
est significance. Our safety rests on
tive enduring safeguards. one Of these
Is the popular campaigning just re
ferred to; the other Is the fact that
ours is not a cabinet government which
= goes In or out Of power on some pass
ing test vote In congress, as is the
case In France. for instance, or in Eng
land: but ours is a government that in
-.z,g~ Aran1A nrhirh tG
put in office for a fixed term.
Will the reader permit the Standard
TO direct his attention 10 the testimony
of recent history In the United States,
In illustration of what has been said.
In November. 1861, our country was en-
gagged in civil war; we were then In
the early stages Of that war. as the
event proved. That month. on board
the British mail steamer Trent. sailing
from Havana, James NJ. Mason and
John slidell were passengers. They
were accredited representatives of tbs
southern confederacy; their avowec
mission was to win several Of th'
courts of Europe to the recognition OF
III tAA1NpNh1tAhNt "a HN be'A hAN
had set up it's government at Rich
mond. The captain OF the Unite,
States steamer San Jacinto halted tn
Trent. boarded her and compelled tn
delivery TO him OF the two men. ]
didn't TAX London long to get actior
on this case. Peremptory notice wa
served on Secretary Seward 10 retur
the men forthwith TO the custody of tn
British government. England's minis
ter at Washington. Lord Lyons. we
instructed, IN case Of our government
refusal. to leave Washington and I
return forthwith to London. with II
archives OF the legation. Instant
there was a mighty uproar. II SCENE
az II. to a man. the North proposed
resist England's arrogant demand. Tn
was made the more offensive by 4
fact-which was a matter Of comm,
- knowledge throughout his country
that Engiand's sympathy. I'll ~concesle
ran with the confederscy. and by t
other notorious fact that, times u
numbered, insult and fragrant wrol
had beeen inflicted on the Americi
nag Dy oInCefs IN the brllsn hdFs
without apology or redress; and that
actual thousands of instances Am'
lean citizens had been seized on I
decks of American ships and impress:
into Great Britain's navy service.
deed. although Mr.. Seward did
know II at the time. British troops W
moving into Canada at the hour WI
London's demand vas served on him.
be a menace to Us and help those v
were then our foes. The aroused No
the people and the press-refused
give Engiand's demand a patient he
ing. Congress. in large measure. '
ready to move along with Una '
unnistakab1 public opinion Mr. s.