The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-03-23
LONGS OPINION.
Naval Secretary FaVOrS
Free Trade.
Not as a Right But as
Correct Policy.
Republicans Can Re trusted to Give
Porto Rico Justice.
Party's Splendid Four
Years Record.
Every Promise of Platform
Fulfilled.

Boston, March 2e.-Hon. John ID.
Long, secretary of the Navy. was the
eueft Of the Middlesex club at the Amer
loan house tonight at what was bser we'd
as "Veterans' Might" and there we've
also present as guests Rear Admiral
George Il. Belknap (retired) Col. Charles
X. Darling, U. S. Marshal; Peter d.
Smith, department commander, Massa-
ohusetts q. A. r.; Silas A. Barton and
Gen. W. W. Blakmar, senior and junior
vice commanders; Rev. DR.. Edward A.
Horton, Hon. Samuel ]. El der and for
mer representative Henry Turner of Mall
den.
Secretary Long in o speech that aroused
his auditors to frequent outbursts Of ap-
plause, dwelt upon all Of the problems
which are before the administration to-
dsy. He referred feelingly to the recent
deaths of Major n errill, former national
department commander. and Col. Benja-
min S. Lowell, an his references to Sen
stor Hoar and senator Lodge were
chssred to the echo. He said In refer
enoe to the toast to which he responded,
sour Pre- ! lent and Our Country" that
the administration had spoken pretty
well for itself and that the talk of enslav-
ing the people of the Philippines was''ali
ct." "Thsre rs nothing GO hard In this
world" said he, "as 10 get at the truth"
Secretary Long tegan by reference to
the tendency of political off 81 rs to pre-
vent the ordinary man from forming
a correct opinion on the issues at stake.
Then he said:
Four years ago the country was over
.whelminely In favor OF an sdminis,ra-
tion upon the Republican platform; snd,
after tie excitement of the election was
over, was substantially unanimous to
that end. Today the first question that
occurs to the judicial m ind is, as has al
ready been suggested by others, what has
the Democratic rarty done since then to
entitls It to the government? The simple
answer Ia nothing.
What has the Republ'can party done
that 1t shoul1 be put out of the govern
ment. By this test 1t is right that 1t
should be judged.
That the prir clples of the Republican
platform have baen executed goes with
out say ing. The tariff has been wisely
adjusted, revenue has been ample, indus
trial interests vera never SO prosperous,
and labor was never so we'll rewarded.
The question of the currency and the
m ,ney standard has been settled and
settled right. Honesty, efficiency and
thoroughness have been the rule In every
department..
Great issues not contemplated In the
platform have arisen, and here, too. the
record is one illustrious for all time.
The Spanish war was precipltated upon
us and never was victory achieved In
righteous cause more swiftly and
surely and effectively 1t is no use to shut
our eyes to the fact that fight is on.
1t is no uss to deny that tbs opposition
Is strong and has grown stronger, as it
always grows stronger on the eve Of an
election. 1t is no use to deny that there
ara mal-oontents and honest doubtsIs.
The honest doubter must be honestly
mat and honestly answered. He ia de-
serving of the highest respect and the
most candid argument.
1t is almost amusing to run over the
list of rockets which the democrats have
fired and which have exploded only to
come down again as sticks. Secretary
Gage has carried out the benehOient poll
cy of keeping the money Of the country
In circulation and thus averting finan-
cial panic. He Is accused of faVoring the
national banks.
An incompetent cons nj at Pretoria,
either because he was Incompetent or be-
cause he was afraid to stick to his post,
is called home by Secretary Hay and new
or from that day to this has given to the
state department. any reason for his con-
duct.
An attempt Is made to raise this to an
issue, hut Gas 1t was SO quickly done for,
We wonder what 1t was begun for"
The administration OF Gen. Otis has
bsen vituperated with the bitterest viru-
lsncs. But py the Testimony Of every
weIl-informsd and di sintsrested observer,
his administration has been one Of great
ability. The President is censured as II
10 w6Ts his personal fault, because our
soldiers, some Of them, suffer from the
temptations Of time Of war. But thoss
who Assail him forget that he has issued
every posi- BILE order &c meet the situation.
The Pessident is held up as Q recreart
to freedom because he does not intervene
In thu South African war. Even while the