The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-24
SENATOR BEvERIDGE.s SPEECH.


SENATOR BEVERIDGE's SPEECH.
These words are not printed to exhort
the patrons Of the Journal to read the
speech of Senator Beverage. Years have
passed since that request has been neces-
sary when an address Of Mr.. Beveridge &C
cupied a portion of its space. All those in
Indiana who take an interest in the politics
of ideas and policies. whether they approve
or dissent, read Senator Beveridge's
speeches for reasons which it would be
superfiuOus to give. These words are writ
ten to declare that. in the judgment of the
Journal, Senator Beveridge presented to
the country. I'm his convention speech. d
statement of facts as TO present conditions
and future prospects that are worthy of
closest consideration. If the senator were
asked if in this speech he had expressed in
dividual opinions without consultation with
his party associates in the Senate and in
the House. he would doubtless say that he
expressed the sentiments of some of the
thoughtful and conservative leaders in the
Senate and elsewhere, it being simply his
opportunity to give expression to them in
the first official assemblage of Republicans
to express the party policy.
The senator's remarks on the subject of
trusts express the convictions of most of
those who have given serious thought to
this great question. Combinations of capt.
tai which are not in restraint of trade and
are not designed to control prices to the
injury of the consumer are an advantage
to the country, while combinations which
seek to create mOnOpoies and to manipulate
prices to their advantage are harmful and
should be suppressed. The difference be-
tween the two is so wide that most intelli-
gent people see it, Mr. Beverage has pre-
scented his belief on this subject. He has
also set forth the Republican remedy for
the abuses of trusts.
Senator Beveridge's views on reciprocity
are the sentiments of Harrison, Blaine and
Mckinley. Reciprocity is the utilizing of
protective tariff to broaden the markets for
American producers. Mr.. Beveridge it
may be added, expresses the Republican
sentiment when he says that reciprocity
should begin with Cuba. He gave express
sion TO the progressive Republican judg-
ment when he declared that the present
tariff must be revised to suit the changed
and changing conditions. There can be no
doubt that Senator Beveridge presents the
true conditions in the Philippines, the work
which we have done and which it is the
purpose of the Republican leaders to do in
the far-away islands. There is reason TO
believe that the Republican policy in the
islands will be more confidently approved
this year than it was in 1900 because the
achievements of two years give assurance
of the ultimate civilization of their inhabt-
ants. Mr.. Beveridge shares the indignation
of all right-minded Americans over the con-
! spiracy to fix upon the American soldiers in
the Philippines the charge of barbarous
treatment of the natives. Those who are
in this conspiracy seem not to have learned
much about the characteristics of the
American people.
Senator Beverage commends the Repub-
lican management of the affairs of this
J State in well-chosen words. The subject
admits of the heartiest commentator. The
| dndllS VI tire ONdtc nave DSeH put upon a
business basis. The fee system, with its
abuses, has been abolished. The state au-
ditor's office has not only become the
agency for the collection of a large rev.
enue, but, under Republican administra-
| ton, bogus insurance companies have been
driven from the State. BY Republican law
and careful administration the office of sec
rotary of state has turned tens of thou
sands of dollars into the treasury the past
year.
The concluding paragraphs of the speech
of Senator Beverage give the true ex-
preston of progressive Republicanism to-
day. AS in 1S61-65 the Republican purpose
was expressed by senators like Fessenden,
of Maine, and war Governors like Morton
in supporting Abraham Lincoln, so Senator
Beveridge expresses the Republican pur-
! pose of to-day. The same kind of men who
/ oounseled fear and cowardice in those days
against Abraham Lincoln are attempting
to retard the onward march of the Repub-
lican party as involving the destruction of
the Republic. Senator Beveridge's speech
is the standard by which men can measure
/ their Republicanism Those who cannot
march to the long and confident stride to
which the speech is tuned would have fallen
out of the ranks and become stragglers
when Abraham Lincoln led.