The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-23
What VIII History save

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
No sort of prophesy short of actual and
real inspiration from infinite foreknowledge
can tell us how our war with Spain and its
consequences viii be recorded in history
at the end of the present century. We en-
tered into the conflict and have carried it
on so far for humanitys sake, to remove
the heavy yoke of bondage and oppression
Spain had for centuries laid on Cuba, and
in the end to give her free and stable gov
eminent of her own choosing Mingled with
our generous sympathy for the victims of
Spanish tyranny Is the determination to en-
force the Monroe doctrine that no form Of
despotism shall be permitted on this side
of the world if we can prevent it. All of
this means liberty" government only by the
consent of the governed and is in COM
plete accord with the purpose on our side
| in engaging in the war. Up to this time the
position of the United States is grandly
unique, and the civilized world looks on
with wonder Our self-abnegation is with
out parallel in the history of nations. The
same may be said of the courage of our SOL
diers the magnificent conduct of our navy
and the completeness of the victory they
won. The other nations concede us an ad-
miration and respect that they have with
held hitherto But the end has not yet been
terms of peace and for the present will dis.
appear from the scene.
We are now increasing our regular army
ana rapidly strengthening our navy and
sending our forces to the Philippine islands
SO that they may think it unwise and I'M
safe to deny the sovereign rights that We
have acquired But the ambition and mad
ness of some of their leaders may bring on a
conflict and compel us to conquer them.
Russia, or both together, moved with a
pretended sympathy for them, but in fact
prompted by jealousy of our success, come
to the aid of the islanders? Have they some
sort Of convenient Monroe doctrine that they
VIII attempt to enforce against us on their
SIDE of the world? In that event will
England be with US or against us? Will the
recent gushing affection for her English
speaking children be stronger than the de-
sire to possess a few of these islands for
| herself? What will the history of the fu-
ture say about that? We well know what it
says about her conduct when we were fight
ing IN 1861 TO preserve our national life.
History, II is said, repeats itself viii the
| future record show that we were compelled
70 spend hundreds or millions of dollars and
the blood of thousands Of our soldiers and
sailors because these ignorant barbarians
could not see the advantages of an Anglo
Saxon civilization? We shall hope that no
such pages will have to be written. Will
the record show that in order to placate the
Cuban soldiers Cor rather, those who claim
to be- we paid them $40, 100000 for their three
years failure to meet the Spaniards in the
open field and whip them? Will it show
that we paid that much more for sanitary
purposes, to drive out yellow fever and other
dreadful diseases that their filth and I'M
cleanliness had generated? VIII there be a
chapter in the story of our Cuban work
that while we were doing all these grand
and generous things, and, in addition. at
our expense, were furnishing them a police
force of fifty thousand American soldiers
and war ships in every Cuban harbor 10
keep the peace on their island, they were
patching up some sort of government of
their own, TeorganiZing their army and then
demanding the custom house dues that had
been pledged to secure us for the money we
had loaned them, and declaring war against
us if we refused? If it should be made to
appear that Cuba had apparently organized
a republican form Of government of her
own choosing, that the Cubans proclaimed to
be sufficient and stable for the protection Of
persons and property, would a strong public
sentiment here al home, in view of our SOL
ders exposure to that hot and unhealthy
climate, demand that our troops come home
before sufficient time mad elapsed to make
certain and sure that Cuba could govern
herself? VIII such a condition raise here
at home new issue in politics and cause a
new alignment of parties and make and I'M
make Presidents and Cabinets?
We are making new departure and can
not see the end from the beginning II
required the progress and development of
several centuries TO create the solid founda-
tions on which a democratic form of gov
eminent could be safely laid. Can the same
conditions so changed that republican in
stitutions can be planted and grow and live
in the soil Of gross Ignorance and barbar-
| ism? What viii history say2
WILL CUMBACK.
C,reeDshurg Ind Jan. u