The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-23
THURSDAY. AUGUST %. 1900.
THE KEY NOTE SHOULD BE OUR
DUTY AND OUR INTERESTS

Those who have observed official courses
IN Washington will have seen that When
ever the administration conte;npiates any
very important step in connection vita
serious matters engaging public attention,
1t always allows some forecast of its in
clination to leak out and get into the
Washington newspapers. The Washing
ton Post of Tuesday contained what is
very plainly one of those leaks foreshad-
owing The inclination IF the official view
in respect TO The affairs Of the East
Amongst other things il says: In respect
to the Chinese matter, as in the acqnisi-
ton of the Philippines. the President will
be largely guided by public sentiment.
If the announcement that troops are to
remain indefinitely upon Chinese soil meets
with disapproval. there Will be a change
of policy, otherwise not solitary soldier
will be returned from China until his
departure is made necessary by the expi-
ration OF his term of enlistment. If, too,
the retention of the troops is not criti-
cised, the administration may 30 further
and occupy a port Of China in order TO be
on equal terms with foreign powers in the
matter of commanding commerce
This Is just ike Mr., Mckinley Weak
backed, wabbling eternally, looking around
to see What others say instead Of grasp
ing hold of the situation from the stand
point of duty and right and holding on 10
his grip until that is done which our dig
nifty and our interests call for. Who can
imagine Andrew jackson laying out this
SORT of a plan Of action in present condi-
tons? Jackson would have surveyed the
field, would have determined what our
rights and our duties were and would
have taken his stand upon them even if
the whole world combined against him.
Instead of looking TO newspapers and poll
teal quid nuncs FOR Information as to
what the people thought, If he needed in
formation upon that point, he would have
summoned Congress together to receive
the authentic voice of the people from
their responsible representatives. and this
Mr.. Mckinley should do without the slight
est regard to the effect ii may have upon
the pending election. If he feels that he
needs counsel and advice from the, people
But he needs no counsel or advice The
path of his duty lies broad ana perfectly
plain before him and it IS dominated and
controlled by two all important considera-
lions. The first is, the position he should
sake that China is to be left 10 the Chin
ese that order is to be restored in China
iva, SAINT, 49,.
Chinese Government is to set up in China
that is to be absolutely free from the
domination or control of any foreign power
or combination of foreign powers.
The second is. that the grievances which
the Chinese complain of in their relations
with foreign powers must be rednesseo.
1t is all right for foreign missionaries
to seek to convert the Chinese 10
Christianity, but it Is all wrong fort them
TO seek 10 do this through the instru-
mentauties of governmental power. Ihe
Chinese complain that the treaties between
China and The foreign powers Withdraw
the Chinese who profess conversion TO
Christianity from local control, and afford
them foreign protection Tor all OF their
enisdeeds, while those WAC live around
dae,n haze TO give an account to the local
tribunals There can be no doubt that this
Is an intolerable wrong, that the Chin
ese complaint of it should be listened
30. and that redress of the grievance
should be accorded TO Il en-. The Pres-
Dent should plant himself sqraseiy upon
those two propositions and notify the rest
OF the world that he intends to maintain
t,,e., 10 the best OF his ability, and he
s,,auld notify the world further that this
f country has certain most important rights
.-,nranteed to US by cur treaties witt,
CHINA. and thai these ,ishts VIII be pro-
fected.
u. insteaa Of listening TO political bro
hers ana wabsl!nE purity organs. he psesi-