The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-14

ObSas ~~.~s
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GEN. MESDEnsOA.
The st. Louis Globe Democrat has
vublished one or two articles with the
object Of showing that Gen. David Il.
Henderson, OF Iowa. the spesker-elect.
. not in harmony with the administra-
don In Its foreign policy. In support
4 that view Il publiahes extracts from
some Of his speeches, In which he ex-
pfe1sed Aimself - opposed 10 expAn-
aaon. II Il claimed that he u incon-
s>stent because At later date he took
the stand that Mckinley should receive
NE support Of the country In HIS az
oresstve policy toward the Philippine In
ourgeuts.
We do not see q necessary incon.
ulstency In these speeches. Many good
Americans are accused Of being expan-
sionists most unjustiy. Probably only
little more than = year ago the great
majority Of this country would have
very emphaticaily declared thsmselv 20
- being opposed to . vague expansion.
and most Of them are stiil opposed to II.
They are unjustly called expansion
lists by the opposition. not because
they are In favor OF = general expan-
mon beyond our continental lines. hut
because the force Of circumstances has
thrust upon IN . responsibility which
they felt II would be cowarsily to shirk.
Gen. Henderson's speeches attracted
nome attention at the time. but. Of
course. soon passed out Of recollection.
They should be revived. because they
probably represent the opinions Of q
very large number Of our people. In
The speech upon which the Globe Demo-
crat relies 20 sustain it, attack. one or
two passages read alone might be con-
strusd a. criticisihg the presiden.. Yet
other passages are 80 loyal to him that
taken altogether II seems like strainlng
. point to accuse him OF any want OF
loyalty 10 the executive.
For instance. In one passage. ne says.
s'The president from start 10 finish has
wtsely. calmly. periodically. braveiy,
carried the mighty problems of the
country In his great heart and greater
brain--not for political party. but for
his country and countrysnen" Then he
goes on 10 ask IL that Ii crime. Hav-
lng thus enphatioally commended the
president he goes on 10 discuss the gen.
cral policy with reference 10 the islands.
lie ccnferses that he has an sndlsposs-
tion 10 attach the islands 10 the United
States. but he says when the time comes
90 settle that question. and he distinct
~ says, ut In not here now" he must
know what his duty Ia the country is.
and he cannot tell that without know
Ing the condition Of the Filipinos and
what they need and what they want.
This Is exactly the attitude - the
great body OF the American people.
They are not determined IN retain the
Islands without consideration: but they
are determined that the stars and
Stripes shall no: come down until the
people are In position not only To gov
ern themselves. but 20 protect thssa-
selves against the raracsiy Of European
powers
Gen Henderson also said that ne
Ioaked with aversion upon snereasius
the regular army ~ this country. He
hoped that he would net ana II neces-
sary 20 establish a standing army os
10. 90 men. He was willing. In view II
the new conditions surrounding Us. IL
support proposition raising .As ressi-
lar army se a,sssa or sen r. IL s@rarns
necessary apparently. ,o 40 eeyona
those figures. he would rather resain
them nevertheless ~ a standard. ard
allow the president discretion To ~ BE.
yond the smaller numbers
So far from being narrow on the mat
ter. Gen. Henderson was broadly "a.
srie,sc. He said he had faith IN the
president. but 80. ~ added, he weak,
have faith In any president. Rsnahllcan
- Democrat. On that question, sur.