The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-05
THE PRESIDENT AND IMPERIALISM.

In his admirable speech at the Ohio So
Kinley. for the second time, condescended
to notice the charge of Imperialism brought
against his administration. No doubt he
has felt deeply the injustice of such a
charge while he is doing his utmost TO
uphold the flag and maintain the national
honor. but 1t is one of the limitations of
the high Office he holds that the President
cannot say much in his own defense
against false and unjust charges. Abra-
ham Lincoln felt the sting of equally UNI
just charges, and he had to bear them
with much the same degree of patience.
In his case the charge was that of violating
the Constitution to coerce sovereign States,
OF overthrowing republican government
with military tyranny, of destroying in
dividual liberty by suspending the writ of
habeas corpus. He knew how patriotic his
motives were and how all of these acts
and policies were forced upon him by a
terrible necessity from which. under his
cath of office. he could not escape to save
his life. He knew how cruel II was to
charge him with disregarding and violating
the Constitution when he was actually
giving his life to defend and maintain it.
He did not often refer to the matter, and
when lie did 1t was more in sadness than
in anger, with an evident feeling that his
detractors would come to their senses
eventually and that time would do him
justice.
On the base and ungrateful charge of
Imperialism President Mckinley can af-
ford to wait for time and posterity to vim
dictate him. For the present 1t is enough for
him to repel the imputation of so base
motive in efforts which are approved by
this country. The President has now done
this for a second time in a public speech.
In a speech delivered at Boston on the 10Th
of February. 1899. after foreshadowing a
liberal government for the Philippines, he
said:
No imperial designs Turk in the American
mind. They are alien to American senti-
ment, thought and purpose our priceless
principles undergo no change under tropi-
cal sun. They are wrought In every one Of
extinguishable I'm it's shining stars.
In his speech at the Ohio Club banquet
Saturday night the President said:
There can be no imperialism Those
who fear are against ii. Those who have
faith in the Republic are against 1t. So
that there Is universal adherence for 1t
and unanimous opposition to IL. Our only
difference is that those who do not agree
with us have no confidence in the virtue
or capacity or high purpose or good faith
of this free people as a civilizing agency,
while we believe that the century of free
government which the American people
have enjoyed has not rendered them faith
less and irresolute, but has fitted them for
the great task Of lifting up and assisting to
better conditions those distant peoples
who have, through the issue of battle, be-
come our wards.
This shows at once the absurdity Of the
charge of Imperialism and the weak Ameri-
not only imputes sinister and reasonable
motives to the President, but it implies
that the planting of the American flag in
new possessions will convert 1t into an
emblem of oppression and its upholders
and defenders into propagandists of tyranny
Unsteady of liberty. In other words, i'm
perialism Is disbelief I'm the sincerity of
American patriotism and the vitality of
American principles. AS the country has
never had more thoroughly patriotic and
American President than Mr.. Mckinley he
can well afford to leave his vindication
from this charge to time and posterity