The Indianapolis journal., 1899-02-23
New York's Noted Gold Democrat
Makes n Patriotic Address at the
Union League Club Celebration.
He HAS FAITH IN AMERICANS
AND BELIEVES THEY WILL SOLVE
THE PHILIPPINE QUESTION.
Our Isolation Due to Eminence and
Europe should Come Up to Us-Re-
IatiOnS with Britain.

CHICAGO, Feb. pa throng which filled
the Auditorium to the doors this afternoon
attended the Union League Clubs Wash
ington's birthday observance. The Hon. W.
Bourke Cochran, of New York. the orator
of the day, was cheered frequently and
heartily throughout his eloquent address.
After paying a magnificent tribute to Wash
1ngton Mr.. Cochran said:
'WashIngton's contribution to civilization
has been the demonstration that virtue is
not an impediment to success, but is the
stepping stone to It. Who to-day would re-
build English authority upon these colonies?
Who to-day would re-estabiish Spanish au-
thority IN the Western hemisphere? Who
to-day would restore slavery in these States?
The achievements of this Republic, the Re-
public founded by Washington, are not de-
fended by any armaments. They are de-
Tended by the conscience of the world. They
rest to-day secure upon their foundations,
not through the valor OF soldiers enlisted to
opinion Of the civilized world which approves
them.
''Of ali his contributions to the welfare of
his fellow-citizens and TO the enlightenment
of the world, WashingtoIRs farewell address
Is not the least. 1t has been the chart by
WMch the snip or state has been safely ana
successfully navigated for over one hundred
years. 1t remains the chart of that new
policy in the world that new force in civili-
cation which sprang into existence with the
foundation of this Republic, and which has
come to be known as Americanism, Ameri-
canism which seemed to be a feeble light
when first kindled in this continent, now
grown into a broad flame which is appre-
the lapse of years, for Americanism is but
the spirit of justice, and the kingdom of
justice, thank God. is extending its boun-
When this government was launched the
principles which underlie it were looked
upon as the dreams OF Utopian philosophers.
IT was established upon the principle that
the true basis of government was not in
herited authority. was not in the assumption
divine intervention III we In he
sent of the governed; that the right of the
citizen, of the individual, to enjoy unchal-
only to reasonable contribution toward the
spirit OF government economically admins
tered, these were regarded as the specula-
tions of philosophers; and when a govern
ment was based upon them its ruin was
55oreO9ld py its critics and even feared by its
friends. But to-day they have become al
most seIf-evident truths. And so the prin-
ciples Of citizenship. its rights and It's pow
ers are no longer subjects OF dispute among
the people Of this country, but we all agree
that when the decision is made the American
people. the American citizenship is the sole
authority competent to decide.
THE EXPANSION CONTROVERSY.
Although we appear to be differing very
widely about the disposition OF the people
whose destinies the fortune of war has
placed in our hands. really the field of con-
troversy is much narrower than might be
inferred from the discussion. Quite recently
two resolutions were before the United
States Senate. One was adopted and the
other was rejected by the casting vote of
the presiding officer. Now the difference be-
tween these two resolutions was not very
marked. So far as they concurred it may
be said that the great treaty-making party
was unanimous i'm support of the PRINCIPLES
which they enuneiated. and l think in that
respect II is faIr TO presume that the Sem
ete was representative of the whole Ameri-
can people. Now the difference between
them was substantially this: A difference
OF opinion as to wher and how self govern
ment should be given to the people of the
Philippine Islands. Practically. if that be
true II test of the capacity for self-gov-
eTnment could be agreed on satisfactory to
all persons, the whole question would be
solved. That such a solution win be found
have not the slightest doubt, and that
Justice and morality and the highest inter
est or clVillzation cannot be doubted by any
tba tan %ho mas reaS american history and
Inc solution or this question will not be
your solution or mine not the solution OF
any individual throughout the country 1t
VIII be the final outcome of the Judgment
Nhe hopes and the prayers of the whole
american people. As we came through the
civil war successful and triumphant. Guided
Dy the light OF justice and morality incuI-
SSated pX washington, so believe when this
tdtSSk ullHculty IS SurmOunted, when this
last eastern question is settled, we will be
Aouhu 10 nave contributed another monu-
enent 10 the civilization Of the age TO have
written another glorious page in our his
sory consistent with all its glorious predeces-
And as our relations toward these dis
SanC people must depend upon our fore
pearance for the their future welfare and
happiness, so Washingtons advice on our
relations to foreign nations has resulted
az hItlng us to an eminence which no other
country has ever yet reached. BY impartial
penevolence toward all. special friendship
1or none, careful avoidance of anv entanT-
ing relationships which might commit ne
70 the intrigues and cabals and amhitions
OF european courts, to-day we WELD
g moral power so great that 1t represents
tlonal dispute. It would have a powerful
u not a decisive, effect in settling It. We
tso.st r1aNs tne :. nope OF peace for against our
ized nation to engage in war. This emil
nencs Wnich we enjoy has been sometimes
CALLED isolation. Well, / admit it. but far
eminence is always Isolated. / do not value
II SO highly that will not deny it to other
countries.
EUROPE BELOW OUR HAIL.
There are two ways by which you can
always alleviate the distance which sep
crates you from your fellows One is bv
walking towards them: the other is by let
ting them come towards you. If YOU ham
pen to be on higher altitude he can climb
60 you, or you can descend to him. hone
that this isolation on which we have been
placed for hundred years will finally be
oblterated, but 1t must be by the nations
Of Europe climbing to the level of Justice
and equity which we have always occupied:
pray heaven It may never come from our
descent into the gloomy pit of ambition
violence, bloodshed and wrong which has
accompanied the progress of other nations
"It has been said that the time has come
when there should be a closer union he
tween the English speaking race and when