The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-28
CRITICISES HIS PARTY
ANDREW CARNEGIE SAYS REPUB-
LICANS HAVE BLUNDERED.
He Thinks Congress Has Unwisely Re-
that Mckinley Has Been Weak.

NEW YORK. Feb. 27-Andrew Carnegie
has written the following letter to promi-
nent Republican in Washington, a strong
supporter of the President:
LAS one looks over the situation he is
impressed by the fact that the President
has been right at first on each of the three
vital stages in the drama. He was right
against Spain when he was assured that
his rightful demand for Canadian home
rule (home rule in Cuba of the Canadian
Itype) was within reach Members of his
own party in Congress were wrong when
they failed to support the President, and
under a gust of passion declared war con-
trary to his advice.
I'm the second important crisis our lead
er was also right at first, and showed the
highest political W. .om. The Philippines
were not to be demanded but the Pan
dora's box to be left for Spain to struggle
with.
Again, in regard to Porto Rico, he has
been right from the very start The con-
stitutional issue would have been avoided
and all gone we'll had he been Loyalty sup
ported in Congress. He showed rare
craftsmanship, seeing it was our duty to
extend to that island the right assured
to all other parts of the country, namely.
the inestimable blessings OF free exchange
of products. When such prominent and
loyal party men In Congress as Mccall.
Littlefield, Powers, Lorimer and others
declare that they cannot vote for any
tariff against Porto Rico because such
would be unconstitutional halt has to
be called. To override the votes or such
Republicans by Democratic votes means
serious trouble for the party. 1t should
not be thought of. 1t is TO be hoped that
the party leaders in Congress will con-
clude to support the President and give
Porto Rico its constitutional right of free
exchange.
have arisen we find the President differs
from Philip who began drunk and only
ended sober. The President begins right.
and the party will do we'll to note that
fact and hereafter follow his first advice.
Our party in Congress has been wrong In
opposing the Presidents first decisions
and the President has been wrong in being
so easily frightened by threatened opposi-
ton. The result of this, let us hope, is
that Congress will be more inclined to fol-
low the Presidents judgment hereafter as
first delivered, and the President. seeing
what evil results attend congressional OPP
position, will resolve TO stand more firmly
for what he sees at the start to be the
right and true policy.
II cannot understand how a Republican
administration could abandon the position
hitherto held by the party that the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty had become nonexistent.
The proposed treaty, even II defeated. as
ii surely is to be, will leave serious mis-
chief behind, since 1T has recognized the
Claytop-Bulwer treaty and given II some
thing like life. My view is that Britain
should be now asked to recognize once for
all that no canal will be built which Is
not to be controlled by this Republic as
it pleases in peace or war. That while
we recognize and will respect the rights
possessed by foreign powers on this conti-
nent, we will press by every legitimate
means for steadily lessening them until not
vestige remains, and that under no con-
ditions will any new power or right of In
huence ever be permitted This, accord
ing to my idea, is true Americanism, and
1 should rather solidify American power
upon American soil by the foot than &C
quire illusory possessions on another con-
tinent by the hundred mile In the one
case we have substance; in the other only
shadow, bringing grave dangers with 1t.
81 am inclined to agree with you that
to adopt the new treaty is to commit polit-
ical suicide for the forthcoming campaign
Yours truly. one who has never voted any
thing but the Republican ticket and who
hopes he may never be compelled to do so.