The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-30
REPUBLICAN SENTIMENT.
Letter from Mr.. Jesse s. Reeves to Dis.
trict Committeeman Mofett.

Miles X. Moffett, Esq:
Dear Sir-In an interview with you, pub
lished in the Indianapolis Journal this
morning, after stating that the Republic
ans of the Sixth district are enthusiastic
ally supporting the administration, you
proceed to say that 1.-The Porto Rican tar
If bill is not hurting us at ALL The re-
cent s1ove feast held in Richmond is
fresh in the memory of the Republicans
of Wayne county, and it is unwise to as
sumo that the speeches then and there made
represented the views of the mass of the
Republicans who did not attend the meet
ing, and who, therefore, failed to cheer
enthusiastically each candidate for a
State office gracefully Sided over the thin
ice of the Porto Rican question.
No less an authority than the State
chairman has declared that after all cit
is the people who make the issues" The
explanation made by Mr. Watson of his
attitude this question may have salts
fled the delegates of the district nominating
convention, for they were his personal
friends and chosen by him. But the ex-
PLANTATION by no means brought into line
the great majority of voters who were not
delegates, who are not after office and not
connected with the party machinery. The
attitude of the Richmond Item, i'm oppos-
ing the tariff and in insisting that this
country fulfill ''its plain duty" TO Porto
Rico, is supported by the people. The Re-
publicanism of this paper can no more be
questioned than that of the Indianapolis
Journal. which has declared itself in tones
rot to be misunderstood. You may have
received your information, that 1.-The "Por-
to Rican tariff bill is not hurting us at all,
from some party workers. Interview the
VII of ~
see where they stand The opposition 10
this bill will not down. 1t will not cease
because the party workers insist upon
changing the subject. There-was a time
once when the leaders of the Wing party
insisted that the slavery question was
settled by judicious compromise. The peo-
pie didn't see Ii in that light. A principle
was involved in which there could be no
compromise, so that when the Wing party
evaded the question a new party took up
the principle and through IL the people of
the country spoke in no uncertain terms.
The people now believe that principle is
involved. They believe with the Presi-
dent that our plain duty towards Porto
Rico demands free trade. Whom the gods
wish TO destroy they first make mad. Do
you really believe that the voters of the
Sixth district, the people who have al
ways prided themselves upon their intelli-
gence and their honest convictions whose
Republcanism was voiced by Oliver p,
Morton, care nothing about the Porte
Rican question? If you do. you fiatter
their loyalty to the party at the expense
of their intelligence.
But on the other hand. if you should
after due Investigation. come to the conclu-
sion that the people of the district are In
line with the Presidents first expression
upon this question, would IL not be wise
and polite TO take this sentiment into
consideration and treat IL with the respect
that its Importance demands? You are
correct in saying that 1.-The Republicans OF
the Old Burnt District are I'm earnest "
but may L mildly suggest that this earnest
ness is OF a kind not limited at I'm your
interview? Very respectfully yours.
JESSE s. REEVES.
Richmond, Ind. March -.