The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-06
Republican Simplicity.


Republican Simplicity.
When Gov. Allen departed for Puerto
Rico, there spread from some source
the impression that he was going to
enter upon his Official duties with law
ish pomp and circumstance. The press
of the East took UP the idea. and edi-
torial utterances appeared which dem
onstrated to the satisfaction of their
writer's the propriety and the necessity
OF departing from the traditional STAN
dards Of republican simplicity. These
people, 1t was said, are but. children
yet.. judging by the child's standard.
They have associated, under Spanish
rule, the trappings of state with the
essence of power itself. To strike the
eye with external gorgeousness and i'm
press the imagination with a sense Of
the magnihcence Of the now country to
which they now owe allegiance would
be to secure their respect and willing
obedience.
When Gov. Allen reached Puerto Rico.
he landed from his boat and ran up
the steps attired In a white duck suit
and a common straw hat. There was
nothing of the barbaric splendor rec
commended. There were no ceremonials
or gewgaws. A plain American citizen
entered In the plain American way upon
the performance Of that duty which we
set above all the externals of office.
And we have no doubt that the con-
traSt affected more powerfully the peo-
pie of Puerto Rico, and impressed more
tween the old regime and the new than
glittering uniforms and coaches OF state
and body guards clothed in mailed suits
of solid gold. Simplicity has been the
strength of the republic; and when It
departs from that 1t will be in more
danger than resides in standing armies
or possessions scattered over the face
of the entire globe.
1t Is said that the representatives OF
the United States who concluded with
Spain the treaty OF Paris were taken
By the people of that gay capital for a
party Of Cooks tourists. so quietly did
they pass and so modestly did they de-
port themselves. Their work was no
less well done for that; and perhaps
the country has as great pride in them
for their fidelity to Its fundamental idea
as for the great chapter in its history
to which their names will stand attach
ed forever. They call to mind the man
who once went in homespun TO the
court OF France and left there the stamp
Of fearless honesty. homeiy indie
pendence. a sense of the dignity ana
worth OF manhood that has lasted for
century. We may send many ambassa-
doris abroad and furnish them with the
means to lord II royalty among their
fellows before we efface the memory Of
Benjamin Franklin as the type of ma
ton great in It's freedom from the wor-
ship OF accessories and conventions.
We shall do Well to deal with the
upef-civilized and the semi-savage on
the same basis OF fidelity to national
ideals There is vexation Of spirit in
many quarters because this country
DOES not equip it's Representatives with
all the paraphernal,a OF the oid-worid
diplomat Higher salaries and staaeiier
titles and ability to shine at functions
are declared TO be essential 10 the
maintenance of our dignity abroad Is
Il ttueg Have we grown great only
since we have become rich and prosper
Gus. and must we ape the code of roy
alty7 As absurd as 20 suppose that the
gentleman does no; shine through the
coarsest garments. AS false as TO de-
clare that the most effective armor for
a battieship is plating of gold Sim
plicity is one OF the highest OF national
ideals. 1t belongs with Independence in
the man, happiness in the family.
greatness in the state. No happier he
who rests on outward show for the rev.
erence due TO his country than that
poor wretch who hangs on princes ia
vors." Let our future match our past,
whose great men and heroic deeds aro
| fashioned on the simple lines that mark