The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-05
NO .NEw OFFICIAL THEORY

W. We f1AaB nEOk
Those newspapers which seem delighted
with any bit of intelligence from Manila
which may be adverse to the interests of
the United States. and a few others whose
general policy is to find fault with the adj
ministration. begin to show signs of indig-
nation because the pamphlets OF Edward
Atkinson and others have been thrown out
of the mail for the Philippines. In that act
they behold the spirit of imperialism. The
historic man on horseback" will soon ap-
a year before the war with Spain criticised
the administration for not interfering In
Cuba. mournfuily remarks:
The new Official theory is that American
soldiers must not be permitted 10 hear both
They can have only the official view OF
what their duty is. The next development
will probably be 10 deny him the right 10
decide for himself whether he shall serve
his country in the field. From that II is
only a step TO the assumption that a citizen
Is not a free agent. but a mere clod TO be
directed by superior intelligence or the
divine inspiration Of a ruler.
1t is no new official theory to intercept
the transmission Of matter through the
mails which is calculated. IL not designed.
to impair the discipline and SOW the seeds
OF discomfort and doubt in an army. 1t was
the practice during the war for the Union.
Editions Of some newspapers were not al
lowed to go to the troops by mail or ex-
press. Further. editions of papers were
seized and destroyed by the Lincoln gov
eminent. All that is now intended, these
people say. is to afford the soldiers the OPP
portunity TO hear both sides for them
selves which means that they shall be per-
mitted 10 read arguments TO prove that
they have no right to be in Luzon. that the
government has no right to keep them in
the service. and anything else in that line
intended TO change jealous and obedient SOL
diers into discontented and mutinous men.
OF course, these newspapers will deny any
such design. but that such is their design is
shown when they say that without argu-
ments. appeals and advice TO leave the
service, such as constitutes the literature of
the so-called a-nti-expansion side. the SOL
diers '.can have only the official view of
what their duty is This. II 1T means any
thing. means that the soldiers should read
articles leading them to believe that a large
majority of the people at home would end
the war. that they are engaged in a war
which makes them murderers. that it is their
right TO be mustered out at once. and that
they should throw down their arms If their
demand for muster out is not complied
with. The little coterie of supporters of
Aguinaldo may try TO make IL appear other
wise, but people Of average intelligence
will regard such conduct as inspired by a
purpose to defeat our army in Luzon and to
bring disgrace TO the country and its flag.
Practical people will ask these men who
have put their mischievous documents into
the mails for the soldiers in Manila, what
is your aim If not 10 bring defeat by Great
ing dissatisfaction" AS all the circum-
stances go to prove that such is their pur-
pose. they cannot escape by a show of in
dignation because the right TO try to de-
moralize the army has been denied them.
In 1863. c. l.. vallandigham. of Ohio. was
going up and down the country denouncins
the war for the Union as unholy. as a use
less sacrifice of life, and urging the people
W AcSiSb ttc Dy u
Lincoln he was sent beyond the Union lines.
Some of his friends appealed TO the Presi-
dent, setting forth that the act was in vio-
lation Of the constitutional rights of the
citizen. In response Abraham Lincoln said:
Must / shoot a supplemented soldier boy
who deserts, while 1 must not touch "A hair
of the willy agitator who induces him to
desert? This is none the less injurious when
effected by getting a father or a brother
or a friend into a public meeting and there
working upon his feelings till he is per-
suaded TO write the boy that he is fighting
for a bad cause, for a wicked administra-
ton of a contemplate government.
The Atkinsons and others who have at
tempted to send anti-war literature to our
soldiers in Manila were inspired by the
same motive as the man whom Abraham
Lincoln banished. 1t is probable that the
man who banished Vallapdigham would. II
alive and in power, order Atkinson's tracts
intended for soldiers to be thrown out of
the mails. And he would now be denounced
as he was then, and for the same reason.
The old phrase used then-''the divine in
spiration of a ruler'-would be used against
him now as 1t Is against his successor by
the Pittsburg Dispatch.