The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-03-23


Boston, March 22.-Hon. John D.
Long, secretary of the navy, was the
guest Of the Middlesex club at the
American house tonight, which was
observed as Veterans Night and be-
sides other distinguished guests there
were about 200 members of the club
present. Secretary Long, in his speech
on "Our President and Our Country"
aroused his auditors to frequent out
bursts Of applause. He dwelt upon all
of the problems which are before the
administration to-day
Secretary Longs Speech.
Secretary Long began by reference to
the tendency of political affairs 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
overwhelmingly in favor of an admin
istration upon the republican PLATFORM
and after the excitement of the cleo
tion was over, was substantially unani-
NOUS to that end. To-day the first
mind is, as has already been suggested
by others, what has the democratic
party done since then to entitle it to
the government. The simple answer
is nothing.
What Republican Party Has Done.
1.-THE second question which the judi
cial mind will ask is, what has the re-
publican party done that it should be
put out of the government? BY this
test it is right that it should be judg-
ed. Take the essential things embodied
in the republican platform of four
years ago. That the principles of that
platform have been executed goes with
out saying.
Important Questions Adj justed.
'The tariff has been wisely adjusted,
revenue has been ample, industrial in
terests were never so prosperous and
labor was never SO we'll rewarded The
question of the currency and the money
standard has been settled and settled
right, and the whole country breathes
with sense Of relief and content. The
indebtedness of the Pacific and other
railroads; the despair of former admin
istrations, has been collected and paid
and thoroughness have been the rule in
every department 1t is too much to
ask that even in campaign these du-
ties we'll done shall be remembered.
Unexpected Issues.
"Great issues not contemplated in
the platform have arisen and here, too,
the record is one illustrious for all
time The Spanish war was precipitat-
ed upon u.s. and never was victory |
achieved in righteous cause more
swiftly and surely and effectively. [
touch with but a word upon these es- |
sential things because speaking to the |
intelligence of the American citizen, I
know that the story is so plain to him |
that I can add nothing to it. 1t is no
use to deny that there are malcontents |
and honest doubters. The honest doubt |
er must be honestly met and honestly |
answered He is deserving of the high
est respect and the most candid argu
ment.
Fight between the Old Parties.
'.But when the final issue is made up
experience teaches us that it Will be
the old alignment between the two
great parties which have for so many
wears battled for supremacy. AS |
have already said, our ancient antag-
onists offer not even promise. Their
resort, therefore, is, and ever since the
meeting of congress when the conflict
began, to every possible diversion and !
rumor and scarecrow and prestidigi- |
tations that their ingenuity can invent.
1t is almost amusing to run over the
list of rockets which they have fired,
and which have exploded only to come
down again as sticks. Secretary Gage
has carried out the beneficent policy
of keeping the money of the country in
circulation and thus averting financial
panic. A democratic thundercloud burst
over his head around which its light
nings played and he is accused of favor
ing the national banks. His calm, wise,
honest. statement, clears the air and
the whole outcry is but the past history
of y fla sh in the pan.