The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-10
PRESIDENT SPEAKS.


CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.)
Wright, of Tennessee. Ii is therefore an
ex-Confederate who now stands S the
ponent or this government and this people
in that great group of islands in the East
ern seas, over which the American flag
floats. General Wright has taken a lead
ing part in the work of steadily bringing
order and peace out of the bloody chaos
in which we found the islands. He is now
taking leading part not merely in up
holding the honor of the flag by making il
respected as the symbol OF our power, but
still more in UNFOLDING its honor by un-
Wearled labor for the establishment of or
dered lberty-of law-creating, lsw-abiding
civil government-under its folds.
A sOUTHENER'S WORK.
THE progress which has been made under
General Wright and those like him has
been indeed marvellous. In fact a letter
from the general the other day seemed to
show that he considered there was far
more warefare about the Philippines in this
country than there was warfare in the
Philippines themselves. 1t is an added proof
of the completeness of the reunion of our
country that one of the foremost men that
have been instrumental in driving for
ward the great work for civilization and
humanity in the Philippines has been
man who in the civil war fought with dis
tinction in a uniform of Confederate gray.
IF ever the need comes in the future, the
past has made abundanty evident the fact
that from this time on NOrtherner and
Southerner will in war know only the gen
erous desire to strive how each can do the
more effective service for the flag of our
common country. The same thing is true
in the endless work of peace, the never end
ing Of building and keeping the marvellous
fabric of our industrial prosperity. The up
building of any part Of our country is a
benefit TO the whole and every such effort
this TO stimulate the resources and in
custry Of particular section is entitled to
the heartiest support from every quarter
OF the Union. Thoroughly good national
work can be done only if each Of us works
hard for himself and at the same time
keeps constantly in mind that he must work
in conjunction with others.
You have made particular effort in
West Indies. This is wise. The events Of the
last four years have shown that the
West Indies and the isthmus in the future
will occupy q far larger place in our ma
tional policy than in the past. This is proved
by the negotiations for the purchase of the
Danish islands, the acquisition of Porto
Rico, the preparation for building an
isthmian canal, and finally by the changed
relations which these years have produced
between us and Cuba AS a nation we have
an especial right to take honest pride in
what we have done for Cuba. Our critics
abroad and at home have insisted that we
never intended to leave the island. But on
the 10Th of next month Cuba becomes a
free republic and we turn over to the island
ers the control of their own government
1t would be very difficult to find a parallel
in the conduct of any other great state
We have kept our word and done duty
just as an honest individual in private life
keeps his word and does his duty.
OUR RELATIONS WITH CUBA.
BE it remembered, moreover, that after
our three years occupation of the island
we turn it over to the Cubans in better
condition than it ever has been in all
the centuries of Spanish rule. This has
a direct bearing on our own welfare Cuba
is so near to us that we can never be in
different to misgovernment and disaster
within it's limits. The mere fact that our
administration in the United States has
minimiZed the danger from greedful
scourge of yellow fever alike to Cuba and
to ourselves, is sufficient to emphasize the
community of interest between us. But
there are other interests which bind us
together. Cuba's position makes it neces-
sary that her political relations with
should differ from her political relations
with other powers This fact has been for
INFLATED by and accepted by the Cubans
i'm the Platt amendments. 1t follows as
a corrollary that where the Cubans have
thus assumed position of peculiar
latiOnship to our political system they must
similarly stand in a peculiar relationship
to our economic system.
I'VE have rightfully insisted upon Cuba
adopting toward us an attitude differing
politically from that she adopts toward
any other power; and in return, as a matter
of right, we must give to Cuba a different
that is a better-position economically in
her relations with us than give other
powers. This is the course dictated by
sound policy, by a wise and farsighted
view of our own interests and by the DO
sition we have taken during the past four
years. We are a wealthy and powerful
country, dealing with a much weaker one.
the contrast in wealth and strength makes
all the more our duty 10 deal with Cuba
as we have already dealt with her, i'm
spirit of large generosity
This exposition is rendered possible
because Of the period Of industrial pros-
perity through which we are passing
While material well-beng is never all
sufficient 10 the life of a nation vet II is
the merest truism TO say that its absence
means ruin. We need TO build q higher
life upon it as a foundation: but we can
build little indeed unless this foundation
of prosperity Is deep and broad The we'll
being which we are now enjoying can be
secured only through general business pros
perity. and such prosperity is conditioned
and the mutual respect of all classes of
capitalists. large and small, of wage
workers OF every degree. AS is inevitable
in a time OF business prosperity. some men
succeed more than others. and il is un-
fortunately also inevitable that when this
is the case some unwise people are sure
10 try 10 appeal 10 the envy and jealousy
of those who succeed least. II is a good
thing when these appeals are made 10
remember that while II is difficult TO in