The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-28
SATURDAY. JANUARY 2s lso9.
MR. JOHNsON's ARRAIGNMENT OF
THE ADMINISTRATIONS.

The speech which Mr.. Johnson. Of
Indiana. made IN the House Of Rcpresen-
tatives on Wednesday last upon the gem
ersl subject Of the Philippine islands IS
one which has attracted and which ought
10 have attracted considerable attention.
IT was entitled TO attention because OF
the couraee and independence required
30 deliver ii. If for no other reason. Mr..
Johnson Is straight out Republican,
but he IS unable to endorse the policy OF
EXPANSION and imperialism involved in
the o. Enlistment 10y this government OF
colonial dependencies and he has had the
manliness 20 declare 20 the world his
convictions. and. in doing It 10 criucise.
not harshly. but upon rational grounds.
the action Of Republican administra-
ton in forwarding the ends Of the i'm
pefialists. Is took courage Of the high
est order 10 do this. Mr.. Johnson is in
puhlic life and 20 make am assault OF
that sort upon his own party's adrlinis-
tratl0n excludes him. Of course. from
all future hope Of lasking ir cihcial sur
shine. and "nevo~ more Will he be OFT
Ger" OF that administration. But he con-
scientiously believes that the tenets OF
the imperialists mean the overthrow and
destruction OF our Republican institu-
tions and he has had the mauliuess "a
declare his opinion at the probable ex-
pense OF an future prefcrment in his
parry We Ike the example no has set.
We are always glad 90 see a public man
equal 20 throwing aside the shackles Of
party when he believes his country's in-
terests require II and II the admmistra-
ton turns its back upon Mr. Johnson We
sincerely hope it will make him all the
stronger with his own constituency. as
IL should and no doubt will.
One Of the points OF Mr. Johnson's
6peech which gave special offence 10 the
advocates OF the President was his state
ment that # was impossible TO learn the
policy Of the administration. for the
President enshroudod himself I'm mystery
and the State Department maintained the
silence OF the grave. IL cannot fairly De
denied that this was a correct statement
Of the case. SO far as We know Mr..
Mckinley has never yet intimated
whether he thought We should convert
the Philippines into colonial dcpen-
dency or simply exercise a guardianship
over them until they are able 10 con-
duct a government for themselves. The
acts Of the administration undoubtedly
point In the direction Of converting them
into a colonial dependency. But no
utterance has ever yet come from the
President or the State Department. SO
FAR as we know that would indicate
what line the administration thought
should be adopted.
IN defending the President from Mr..
Johnsons attack Nr Deliver construed
r. 20 mean that Mr.. Mckinley slavlshly
found out what the people wanted be-
fore he ever took any position himself.
We are not prepared 20 say this was
an improper Characterization Of Mr..
Iohnson's remarks. u the word "slav-
ishly" were omitted here Mr. Mckinley
NANinEA NNWtA htiN ViphNblN De pre-
pared 10 ooncede ali that Mr. johnson
alleged. There has never yet been q
man In the Presidential chair so anxious
10 ascertain just what public opinion IS
before he assumes a position as MT Me
Kinley f. We are not now discussing
whether this Is praiscworthy or other
wise. We are only dealing with the fact.
and. when that alone L. considered. the
man Who reviews the career Of william
Mckinley from the time he came into
public life Will be forced TO say that ne
cannot find one single proposition that he
has been tied TO from the beginning as
sheet anchor. II he has not been on
every side OF every public question he
has az any rate modified his Views Of
every one from time 20 time as It has
seemed 10 be more or less popular until
II II impossible Tor any man 20 say that
be Is even the ultra Proteciionlst now
ih,i hc was ten years ago.
Iis may be the best order Of man 20
occupy the Presidential chair as he 'ad-
ministers the government In accordance
with the VIII OF the majority instead Of