The San Francisco call., 1899-05-06
DELUSIONS OF FOREIGNERS.

HERE are many foreigners who actually believe
that the maintenance OF the American republic
is impossible, that it will be very short time be-
fore our government is changed to the imperial form
and that If necessary the army will be used for that
purpose Only yesterday an intelligent Engshnan
with whom the wish probably father to the
thought, expressed his belief that we were on the
verge OF revolution, and that Great Britain and the
United States together would soon appropriate all
vacant spaces in the world and enter upon crusade
in Asia and in Africa, and ultimately in Europe com
pletely to enforce the rule OF the Anglo Saxon
Among the number OF straws that to his mind con-
cluslvey proved uncomfortable drift in this direc
ton, he mentioned the fact that it had been published
that Secretary Alger had determined that General
Miles, who has always retained his belief in our ma
hona institutions, should be deprived of his command
and that General Merritt, who publicly declared that
the constitution had been outgrown" would take his
place
The superficial indications of American politics are
very deceptive to those who do not comprehend the
American people The loose talk so common of late
among mere popularity seekers, the determination OF
unpatriotic class OF opulent spectators to drag
the country, noens volens, into policy OF foreign
acquisition, the frequency Of matrimonial alliances
with arstocratic families the disregard OF popular
rights by many of politicians and by some of our
elections and also in nominating conventions and
even at the polls, the frequent illusions to Columbia
as II she had been brought UP in a short republican
frock OF common stuff and was now old enough to
wear imperial satin with long ran-these and other
similar actshave been msinterpreted if they were
the real and the predominatng signs OF the times in
this republic
The deep sea currents often contrary to the
movements on the surface. In the United States
there resstless forces in the hearts and in the
minds Of the people inteligenty conscious of their
sovereignty, that are not decamatory or boisterous
and for months years are concealed by the as
sumptons and the pretensions OF self-constituted
leaders who when the necessity is developed and the
hour is ripe disappear like stubbe before tornado
In 1896 stranger in land who read the volumes
OF frothy matter with buncombe illustrations pub
lshed in the Journal Examiner or the Examiner
Journal and in other newspapers affected with
epilepsy or St. Nltus dance, who listened to the
lurid rhetoric OF w. J. Bryan and his corps of dema-
gogues, might have really believed that the industrial
masses favored cheap money, the reduction OF wages
and the economical degradation OF their country But
when the American brain and the American con
science inscribed their verdict upon the ballots there
was hardly enough Bryan Democracy left to supply
yeast for the next campaign
If our English friend had enjoyed longer expe-
ItIlCe III the CnueQ states ne might gIldVe awaited
some confirmation of the alleged determination OF
Secretary Alger He might at least have observed
the very next day that the President did not svmpa
thize with the attempted eXcoration of General Miles
by the Court OF Inquiry II he had examined the state
papers of the President and his Cabinet the military
and naval reports, and all official documents bearing
on the war with Spain and its results, it would have
puzzled him to discover any avowal Of imperialstic
tendencies or any concealed affection for imperialism
If he had observed the proceedings OF very large
meeting recently held in Chicago and of other meet
ngs held in New York, in Boston and in nlanv
American cities, he would have ascertaned the exist
ence OF decided opposition to the expansion of our
territory away from this continent Finally if he had
read marked, learned and inwardly digested the
columns OF The Call for the last two years he would
have found that the individuality of this republic and
its freedom from all entangling alliances are still the
cherished convictions OF many OF best and wisest
citizens.