The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-05
j. j. LENTZ TO FRESHMEN
FORMER CONGRESSMAN DISCUSSES
THE ANGLO-BOER WAR.
Thinks 1t Is the Duty of This Country
to Assist I'm Founding Another u.
s. A., Omitted States of Africa"

CHICAGO, March 4.-The woes Of Ireland
and the wrongs of the Beers were kindred
subjects at a meeting OF the Irish Nation
alists held in this city tonight. The meet
ing was primarily held TO pay tribute to
the memory of Robert Emmett, but the
South African war occupied almost an
equal space with the Irish patriot in the
addresses that were made The chief adj
dress Of the evening was made by ex-Con-
gresham John ]. Lentz, Of Ohio, who
spoke in part:
IF it is good policy, if it is correct moral
ity for Great Britain to prevent the deVel-
opment and growth of republican govern
mentS in South Africa, then the time is
ripe for the United States to prevent the
growth and development of monarchical
institutions I'm North America. II England
can justly the barbarous war she is MAX
ing against the Beers on the ground that
she cannot afford TO allow republic TO be
established across the Vaal river, then the
people of the United States cannot afford to
allow a monarchical Institution to strength
en- itself across the Detroit and St Law
renee rivers. If England is right in South
Africa, and if the government at Washing
ton is right in its policy in the Philippine
islands, then much more justifable will the
people of the United States he in insisting
Immediately upon the annexation of Can
ada. Mark you, L say if-and L say ii
with an if at least seven feet high-if
Jefferson was right in the theory that we
could not afford to allow a foreign govern
ment to establish itself across the Missis-
sippi river; If Great Britain cannot afford
TO allow republic to establish itself across
the Vaal river, then tenfold stronger are
the reasons and the arguments why the
United States cannot afford to allow the
development of Canada in any other ca
pacity than as part OF the United States
Of America
IF our people in their new theory and
new ambition as world power are TO ac-
cept and adopt the British policy in South
Africa as the criterion of American con-
duct and American civilization, then there
is no reason for any delay except a favor
able preteXt for the annexation of Canada.
And it seems to me that the most substan-
tial and effective forms in which we, as
American citizens, can express our sympa-
thy with the South, Africans is to say to
the world that we are in favor OF another
L. s. A.-United States of Africans well
as the United States of America, and, in
connection with that declaration, let us an
nounce TO the world that inasmuch as Eng
land-lmperlal neutrality-suspicious. to the
world her fear OF the development of a lit
tie republic OF a few thousand inhabitants
across the Vaal river, so much the more
should we regard the six million British
subjects across the Detroit and st. Law
renee rivers as a menace to our peace and
perpetuty as a republic.
There is no good reason why Congress
should not take action and prevent the
people Of this country from supplying the
British with horses and mules in South
Africa, which the Beers say are among
the most effective equipment and the most
dangerous instruments the British have
against them. Nor is there any good rea-
son, nor even good excuse. for the Presi-
dent of the United States neglecting the
duty of neutrality imposed by Article of
the treaty of Washington. We were ex-
ceedingly active and aggressive in the de-
mands made upon Great Britain for dam
age for injuries done at sea by the Alaba-
ma and other vessels, and l fail to see why
we should not be liable, morally at least,
if not financially. not alone to the people of
South Africa, but the liberty-loVing people
of the whole world for lending substantial
support to Great Britain in her unwar-
ranted war on the Transvaal Republic and
the Orange Free State. We are permitting
Great Britain TO make use of New Orleans
for the purpose of renewal and augmenta-
ton of military supplies. We are not ex-
ercising due diligence as TO all persons
within our jurisdiction TO prevent violation
of our obligations and duties.
The mission of America is to produce a
happier and holier race of men and women
than any ever reared by any nation in the
history of the world, and this cannot be
done by teaching the young men and the
young women 10 be so cowardly and so in
different to the rights of men as to tolerate,
if not aid and abet the assassina ton of
liberty anywhere on the face of the earth.
The Monroe doctrine reaches north and
south TO Cape Horn Why should il not
reach east and west TO Ireland?"