Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-02
HENDERSON DECLARES FOR
HAMILTONIAN DESPOTISM.

/
Army reunion, Speaker David B. Hen
| derson gave voice to what may well
be regarded as the most significant ut
terance of the year on Imperialism.
| He was present to speak for President
Mckinley, and naturally said only
what he knew the President would en-
dorse. After declaring that we must
have u strong government" according
to the Hamiltonian ideal. Mr.. Hender-
son said:
AYE. and, gentlemen. it must be
government that will protect its citi-
zens in the heart of Chicago or in the
heart of China.
''4hcse docfrincs of Hamilton, which
assume are supported by this club
must be Tie tcrt tgord of the hour. / rant
elected man tcho not only preached those
doctrines, but, like McKimlcy. acted them
doctrines, and l urge The American people
to support The men chO bciiero IN them.
Therefore 1 cry out tonight in the
midst OF this republic: Elect at the
next election William Mckinley and
Theodore Roosevelt"
1t will be noted that Speaker Hen
derson gives his unqualified adherence
to the Hamiltonian theory of strong,
centralized government, and says that
Mckinley not only has preached" this
doctrine, but has acted 1t from his
heart" Has any other President of
this Republic ever "acted from his
heart the Hamiltonian doctrine" of
government? Will it be seriously con-
tended that the Republic as it has
hitherto existed was in accord with
the Hamiltonian ideal? Will it be
urged that it can be put in accord with
that ideal without radical break with
the past?
Mr.. Henderson says: 1.-The doctrines
of Hamilton must be the tcrt tcord of the
hour" Does that not spell Imperial
ism in letters that he who runs may
read? Could there be, or need there be.
more definite declaration of purpose
on the part of this Administration to
utterly subvert and destroy the Repub-
lie founded in the main on Jefferson
ian lines? Has there been in all our
history since the Constitution was
adopted n time when "the doctrines of
Hamilton were the text words of the
hour?" Why then should Hamilton's
monarchistic ideas be the text word"
of this hour? Hear Speaker Hender-
son: I'm this great world of ours, full
of massive, aggressive governments.
this nation as II government must be
strong-to take care of our people and
their interests" Do you want palmer
declaration for u centralized govern
ment based on miltarism? Speaker
Henderson knew. as every intelligent
citizen should, that there has never
been n time when this country could
not protect it's citizens. The attempt
| to make it appear that only during the
reign of William Mckinley has the
American on foreign soil been protect
ed was at once n gross perversion of
historic facts and a piece of cheap
demagogy.
But the disciples of Hamilton do not
stop with the scheme for an elective
monarchy that shall elbow the mas
slve, aggressive governments" of Eu-
rope and Asia for the pure fun of 1t:
it contemplates a complete change at
home. According to Speaker Hender-
son 1T must be n government that will
protect its citizens in the heart of CHI
cdgO or in the heart of China" AS
every school boy knows the protection
of the citizen under our present form of
government is the duty of the State
wherein he resides. The national gov
eminent has nothing to do with it un-
less its aid shall be asked by the State
authorities. Mr.. Henderson, therefore,
means that hereafter the President
shall assume authority in case of trou-
BILE or when he may see fit. to throw
regular troops into any city or State
under the pretense of protecting the
citiZen. Is 1t necessary to point out
what this would mean? With big
standing army 1t would mean pure
despotism. At election times plenty of
citizens In close States could be induced
to rise up and call for protection.
Troops could be sent to intimidate and
overawe the voters. Under this system
it would be easy, in the expressive
terms of Mr.. Hanna. to "perpetuate
the Administration" We should be-
come republic of the South American
stripe; SO long as the army is loyal a
president can be reelected for an in
definite number of terms.
The whole country is indebted to
Speaker Henderson for this definite
and authoritative declaration that the
Republican party proposes to trans
form the Republic of Sovereign States
into q Hamiltonian despotism.