The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-26
A Strong Speech.

Senator Hanna has not reputation
for oratory. He is successful man of
AFFAIRS, a political manager of unusual
capacity and a public man whose mo
tives have been assailed by as mean and
venomous falsehoods as were ever d.
rected against any citizen who sought to
serve his country in public life. But he
has seldom filled the role of speechmak-
err 1t Is therefore with unusual and
unexpected pleasure that the people
will read his remarkable speech to the
members Of the Ohio state convention.
This address Is full Of force and IRE.
Made by a man WHOSE health was such
that he was barely able to stand. Its
vigor, terseness and pertinency would
attract attention II 1t had come from
any one Of those political speakers who
have obtained a national reputation for
oratory. Its main strength lies in the
fact that 1t is plain talk from one man
to other men, addressed to their reason,
their patriotism, their business judg-
ment and their ordinary experience. 1t
win fly a good deal farther and sustain
itself longer than the familiar efforts Of
the spread-eagle variety.
Senator Hanna sums up the record of
the party when he says that It has es-
tablished the fact that 1t knows its
business. The people gave to It a dif-
ficult commission. They said: Here is
q country distressed and depressed be-
yond measure. 1t is not right. and we
do not understand why 1t should be SO.
Take hold of things and straighten them
out" And the Republican party has
proved that II knew its business. 1t
took this great trust from a despairing
people. 1t passed tariff act that re-
stored industry. 1t passed currency
act that saved finance. 1t substituted
surplus for a deficit. 1t fought a great
war. and already has 30 dealt with the
new problems arising out of 1t as to win
the continued confidence and approval
OF the nation. 1t knows Its business.
As to finance and trade. the witness
Is before US. No assault can break the
force Of the wonderful argument from
prosperity accomplished. Senator Han
ma puts the proof in unique ana con-
vincing form when he says that the bal
ance Of trade in favor OF this country,
as shown by the books of the treasury.
was 1911. 100000 for the whole century
preceding this administration. while for
the three years completed since Presi-
dent Mckinley came into power 1t is
q. 400. e0o. 600 IL this success or failure.
we have right to ask the people. Let
the party be judged by its fruits.
There Is no accident. says Senator
Hanna. about the coming of the prob
lens that now confront us. The war
with Spain was an inevitable oonse-
quence Of following duty. so Is the
establishment of order and free govern
ment in our new possessions. 1T is
but one step forward in the direction OF
duty set for US to do" And with a
fine and proper contempt for the catch.
words which constitute the bulk OF
Democratic capital today. he says that
he cares nothing whether men call this
expansion or imperialism. The name
means nothing at all What counts Is
that the evolution OF the worlds history
has set before us task for which we
| have been prepared; and we are going to
| perform that task. to discharge that
duty, no matter whether men or devils
stands In the way
No man in this country has been the
| target for more foul and undeAerved
abuse than Senator Hanna. 1t has
pleased the Democratic press and the
speakers whom It coaches to misrepre-
sent him on every possible occasion ana
Ia every particular. The strength. the
fesrlessness, the loyalty TO principle and
the sense OF duty 20 itself and to others
appropriate to this nation which appear
IN his speech are the more impressive
when coming from one known as a man
OF AFFAIRS rather than an orator. The
Republican party has reason 20 be proud
OF SIS record and OF all the leaders who
have helped to make it,
I
The anu-eSpanslonlsts who are ex.
peeiing so much from New England
viii not extract ans large amount 81
comfort from the resolutions passed BY
the Republican convention IN the state
! OF New Hampshire