The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-21

The attitude taken by Sir William Har-
court. the former leader of the British
Liberals, regarding the Transvaal war is
we'll worthy the attention of those who
in American politics are heard asserting
that opposition to the militant tendencies
of our own imperialists is treason to the
flag.
Lord Rosebery has taken a position
which may be regarded as the reverse of
that assumed by Harcourt, even going to
what many of his party associates re-
gard as the indecent length of decrying
the wisdom and patriotism of the policy
inaugurated by Mr.. Gladstone after the
defeat at Majuba hill. The ex-premier
viii probably find It hard to reconcile
himself with the mass of his party should
the opposition develop, as all English OPP
positions have from time to time, a deter
mined purpose to criticise and oppose the
military policies of the government.
There are historical precedents enough
to preclude the idea which seems to have
animated Lord Rosebery that. war hay
ing been declared. the queens opposition
has no relation which 1t can in patriotism
bear toward the government save one of
sustainment. That l.. essentially a mod
ern doctrine. 1t is one, moreover, which
reflects but light credit upon its expound-
ers. Sir William Harcourt speaks Of IT
as "the vulgar notion that, war having
once broken out, we have nothing to do
but hold our peace and give sanction to
the policy that led to the war" No such
notion has ever animated any parliamen-
tary opposition in English history during
the prevalence of war.
1t is true that when the fever Of war
Is in the blood of the people argument
goes but haltingly. and is often mistaken
by ordinarily sober-minded people as the
expression of either cowardice or dis
loyalty But no opposition was ever
worthy of serious thought which had not
the courage to stem the popular tide
when that tide according to it's view was
running contrary to the welfare Of the
country involved
Here in the United States the opposi-
ton to the Philippine imbroglio-for it
can hardly be dignifted by being called
~ar-has encountered at every step the
vulgar notion which Sir William Har-
court refers 20. It's vulgarity, If not
made otherwise apparent, IS made uh-
avoid&bly plain in the extent of the abuse
cast upon all who oppose the pretensions
of Mr.. Hanna and his confreres in our
national government. All the arts that
an INSCRIPTIONS administration could re-
sort to for the purpose of keeping the
public mind in state of ferment have
been exhausted The transformation of
the reception of the returning volunteers
during the past few months into an ante
election trick is fresh in the public mind.
How little of durability there was in the
feelings thus evoked has been made very
plain by the fact that, while vet the
cheers and the music of the brass bands
are ringing in our cars, the whole thing
has passed as completely from the minds
of the mass of the people as the vhiz
OF yesterdays sky rocket.
As long as constitutional government
exists there ever will be found body Of
patriotic men ready to decry war and to
question the motives of those who in tbe
conduct of government have been re.
sponsible for urging it upon the people
This function the Democratic party has
discharged and will continue to discharge
IN connection with the Philippine business
until the American people become fully
awake to the grave wrong they have don,
the national fame in embarking on sucf
questionable enterprise.