The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-03
EVERYTHING IN SIGHT.
New York Republicans Want the
Earth, and MOdestIy Say So.

TO the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
The sweeping, though rather vague reso-
luton with which the New York Repub-
lican convention outlined a very expansive
policy for the administration. illustrates Il
too common method of manufacturing pub
lie opinion. 1t will hardly be contended
that Republicans a party, have any
where shown such unanimity in favor Of
a reckless annexation of all the Spanish
possessions as the resolution adopted by
the New York convention indicates. In view
of the undoubted fact that novelty and au-
dacity are always popular. and that few
of our public men or newspapers regard
any other consideration, the annexation
mania has been less rampant than might
have been expected, after the utter reck-
lessness of consequences shown by the press
and politicians in forcing the country into
war with Spain. There can be no doubt
that majority of thinking Republicans,
aside from their anxiety not to embarrass
the administration in it's peace negotiations,
realize that the annexation problem is too
serious to be settled by convention resoIu-
tio1s. Yet the New York platform may have
more effect than the strongest reasons Of
state in determining the future course of
the Paris commission. The moral and po-
AtASd4 ClASCI VI COLHulllllIlS the duDlllSIId-
ton party of the greatest State in the
Union to an indiscrimnate annexation poll
icy is very mischievous and must be very
discouraging to the sanguine people who are
depending upon the Almighty to remove the
dangers and difficulties attending our
long-rarge government of subject races.
1t requires very vivid theological imagl-
nation to conceive of a successful political
combination under the firm-name and style
of Platt q Providence Everybody knows
that the Platt machine having reluctantly
decided to accept Colonel Roosevelt as a
candidate for Governor, counts upon run
ming the campaign upon his war record,
and shaped the platform accordingly. As
is unfortunately the case with most plat
form deliverances, this New York resolu-
ton was meant to catch votes, not to define
principles; yet the effect is very serious.
The Empire State will be put to the front
of the lingo movement. Republican politi-
clans and newspapers will make haste to
fall into the procession. wholly decep-
tive appearance of party unity in favor of
an extreme policy will thus be given. which
will be regarded as excusing almost any
folly Of which the peace commissioners or
Congress may be guilty. Evidence is in
creasing that neither the Cubans nor the
Filipinos wish to be annexed. Forcible an
nexatiOn would be so gross a violation of
our previous professions and traditions that
1t is hard to imagine how such a policy
could be successful without better state
craft than can be expected from our pres
ent system of convention government. Even
pinos can be obtained to a protectorate or
annexation. is there not a warning of ulti-
mate failure in the very way we are enter
ing upon this career of virtual conquest, for.
call it by what name we please. it is moth
ing less
''Your constitution is all sail and no
anchor" said Macaulay, predicting. forty
years ago, the future tendency of our in
stitutions Really we must admit that the
expansion resolution of the New York con-
vention indicates a very windy outlook for
the old ship of state.
]. @. DONNELL.
Kingston. Ind. Oct /