Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-17
TELEPHONES.
s&EEp A COOL HEAD.

y
sTe notice with regret that there is q
disposition in some Democratic circles to
question the wisdom of the policy tie
administration pursued in coming 10 an
Understanding with Germany and Great
Britain in the matter ot the grievances
or these powers against Venezuela Tbs
suggestion is thrown cut that President
Roosevelt and Secretary Hay were hood
winl.ed into concecing too much. ana
1iis is accompanied with a wagsing Of
heads. much exploitation Of the deli
cate situation" and covert expressions OF
fear that events are trendine 70 eli
max which, owing TO our obligations un-
der the Monroe Doctrine Will neccssitate
our becoming seriously ernbrofled in the
affair.
AT bottom this amounts 10 party criti-
ciem Of the administration. 1t IS i'll
timed. uncalled for. unwarranted, and
is to be generally deprecated. AS a rule
we have no sympathy with, the policies
OF the administration. AS a rule. also. we
recognize that whenever any policy o.
tho administration can be legitinately
made a party question, and be taken ad-
vantage Of in the interest of the Demo-
.racv It is the duty CT the Democratic
party to issclf ana tile country 10 pursue
hat course. But there is no justification
'or raising party question in the present
Instance.
That the situation IS a delicate one is
no. 10 be denied. All complications Of q
similar character must. in the nature of
things. present delicate phases and in
yolve possibilities that no man has the
perspicacity 10 forcsee. But the fact that
This is true affords the best nf reasons
why all parties should stand by the ad-
7ninistration and frown down criticism Of
It's policy. Criticism and blame. in the
circumstances. cannot but breed agitation.
and that, IN turn, tend 20 make the case
sr issue. with the result Of convincing
Inc Nenczuelans that a large and poten-
ial element in this country sympathzc
with their cause. THIS could hardly fall
20 eventuate in Castros provoking the
~llies TO more extreme measures than
!hey have vet taken. and it might de-
selop conditions which would lie an in
fringement oF the Monroe Doctrine. Than
that nothing would please The yenezue-
ans better; for then we would be forced
10 interfere.
SO far however, as we have repeatedly
stated. The Monroe Doctrine has not been
infringed upon. Moreover as We have
also repeatedly stated there are The
strongest of grounds FOR believing that
this government received the fullest as
urances that The allies had not the most
emote design in the integrity of The
Doctrine The first of these assertions is
horne out by Washington special to the
Baltimore Srn, which says that "the
feeling of many II Congress is that up
10 this time there has been no act on
the part Of the allies which can be CON
rruod either as a violation of interna-
aonal law or an onense to the Monroe
Doctrine" And SO lar as Great Britain
Is concerned, the second derives sup
port from the declaration Of Lord Gran
Borne. in the British House of Commons
ionday that no country has been more
enxious than Great Britain 10 assist the
American government IN maintaining the
doctrine" in question. Furthermore, as
initiating against the idea that Mr. Hay
and the President were hoodwinked is
the fact that the latter he's put himself
on record in one q his messages as a |
nost pronounced. If NOT Strenuous" ad- /
vocate Of our historic policy respecting |
the South and Central American States.
1t is not to be supposed that he die not |
aim 10 throw every conceivable safe |
guard around the doctrine.
So the impulses OF honesty and fair
ness dictate tie gisis,t, TO the President
ana Mr.. Hay The crssSit q having man !
aged the affair wise:. cautiously. els. t
crectly. and intclisgc:..:y. and common
,ei:se. the commercial. and business in i
terests of the country which are opposed |
20 I'll asttaiions, and t..e demands of pa
:rio..s,n. rebua,e all efforts TO turn the
ADMINISTRATION y policy into a party issue
The thing for the American people to
90 ia TO keep cool head and let the
matter rest VIII the administration, lest
ii'cs 'acite the Nenczaelans. to still great
n hot-headtdness, and thereby cause
the development of a necessity for orr
seconling ernbroiied
-----=-:-==-rz-~
ne eseaf question now before the Vir.
tia'a Legislature Is whether members
should Be kept at work here when hog.
killing IL going 81! at s,brne.s The corst,-