Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-03-13

| try. II was taken by the people in such
| small sums and in such rapid manner
as to be an object lesson in finance TO
the great nations Of the world.
I Where Mr.. Cleveland, with his super
| flaous backbone and deficient tact. was
| assaulted with the foul breath of scandal
! on account OF bond issues during his time
of peace, this great war loan was taken
without suspicion being attached TO the
| financial bureau Of Mr. MeKinley.s ad-
ministra.ion
Coincident with this maryelously sue
cessful popular loan Congress passed a
new law IA ing internal revenue for the
support OF army and navy. Taxes
were impos on things which had not
been taxed for a generation. The people
were asked to submit to the discomfort
Of atiixing revenue stamps to kilograms,
medicines, bank checks, and all instru-
ments of commerce,
The new revenues began to pour into
the treasury without the slightest ripple
of dissatisfaction from the business
world. Prices We're not seriously disar-
| ranged, for the treasury had an album
dance of funds to conduct the war, and
the financial policy of this backboneless
administration preserved the credit Of the
United States by its own resources, 80
that to-day its securities are sought for
the world over.
Mckinley Never Faltered.
1t was severe test TO apply to a chief
executive devoid of a spinal column, as
his enemies claimed, when war had to be
waged with European nation of I'M
doubted bravery and of warike tradi-
tons. Yet there was never time of
faltering from the declaration of war to
the negotiation of the protocol. The in
structions TO Dewey were not lacking in
backbone. He was told, without hesita-
ton, to 20 into Manila bay and sink or
destroy the Spanish fleet. No man could
be told more, even if the chief executive
and Com. 1ander-in- chief had the back
bonn of = n elephant
1hroug bout the war the operations of
the arrE and navy were marked by in
slant decision of character in Washing
ton, and there " as at no time apparent
the slightest wayeriES in the purpose of
the administration to prosecute the war
to a successful issue.
Shafter was not called back from in
front of Santiago when thinks looked du-
bious. and when Cervera's feet came
here from across the water there was no
hesitation in hunting it down until it
was destroyed by Sampson and Sehley.
On the contrary, the navy was equipped
at every point, and ships were bought
wherever needed. Great Atlantic liners
were transformed into cruisers, and.
above ALL an army of a quarter of mill
ion of men was armed, equipped and con-
centrated at proper camps almost at a
moments notice. There were the usual
scandals of the nIdladnlinistration of the
army, but they were not serious ones.
and no blame ever attached to the admin
istration as a whole.
Generous to the Foe.
When Spain was whipped William Nc
kinley was not cruel conqueror. He
had not the meanness of a coward nor
the bullying cruelty of a raw recruit. He
was quite willing to sign a protocol of
peace which protected the interests of
| the United States but did not materially
injure the pride of the Spaniard.
Then came the negotiations for the ac--
tual treaty of peace. Throughout them
it is easy for the student of history TO
discover that the master mind was that
of William Mckinley. He did not want
of the United States. He foresaw most
of the difficulties which have arisen. He
sought at first a mere naval station, or
the possession OF the city of Manila or
something of that sort, but as the situa-
ton developed it became evident that des-
tiny had forced these islands upon us.
Thereupon the chief executive faced his
responsibility with great decision, and
II -. l. ~. 4.
into his hands, thereby braveIy assum' NJ
''the white mans burden" He fully rec
ognized the danger of governing in far
off seas with strange, half-clad peoples,
but he had backbone enough when once
he started to carry the flag to the front
and keep it tlcre.
When AgG-naldo began his foolish and
unjustifiable instruction there was no in
decision. no hesitation. about teaching
him that the Stars and Stripes could only
bring liberty where they brought respect.
To-day THE flag floats over the Philip
pines with nothing but guerrilla bands to
defy its authority, and the little brown
man is beginning TO prosper under its
crimson folds
Solves Grave Problems.
! Completing the war without defeat
and without a disgrace. the President
and his administration have turned their
attention to the great problems which
| the war has brought in its train People
may differ from him as to his policy, but
there can no longer be any doubt as to
what that policy is.
There may have been some hesitation
regarding Porto Rico, but it was not on
| the Presidents part. There was a tenn
pest in a teapot, but out of it all has come
! merely the knowledge that the Island of
| Porto Rico to-day is enjoying all the sub
| stantial fruits of republican liberty.
/ There is no question as to certain citi-
| zenship rights and there is some doubt
| rs to the revenue relations between this
| country and the United States. but every
| man in Porto Rico is free and has
! chance to vote for a territorial govern
| ment. while people who have been in
bondage TO Spanish tyranny and ignor-
| ance for centuries are being taught the
| great A.cerican principle of self-goyern-
| ment. The government of Porto Rico
| to-day is as firmly established as that
/ of Canada, and considering the character
| of the people it is quite as well adapted
/ to the purposes.
! Firm as to Cuba.
/ just at the close of his administration
/ this homeless Pre- sidcnt has given a sin
! gular exhibition of the real hrmness of
1 his character aud of the wise and well
/ considered de-, rminatiou of his purposes.
I 1t was Cnba for which the United States