The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-16

The speech of Representative Wheeler,
OF Kentucky, in denunciation of what he
termed American "hunkyism" to foreign
countries. was calculated to make intelli-
gent Americans blush. not for their coun-
try, but for the boOrishness and ignorance
of some Of their countrymen who get into
high places. Mr.. Wheeler is evidently a
survival. of whom there are still too many.
Of the era when it was thought that
patriotism was synonymous with bad man
ners and that true Americanism consisted
in houting foreigners and foreign govern
ments on all possible occasions. Times
have changed since patriots Of his kind used
to demand that the aristocratic circles
OF Europe quail before the name Of Jeffer-
son Brick" and when Colonel Divers
"Rowdy Journal was supposed to repre-
sent true Americanism. And, fortunately
for our standing among the nations, the
jefferson Brick school OF Americans has
been succeeded by one that does not think
politeness is unmanly. AS the sphere of
American influence has extended and as
the United States has passed from a con-
dition of continental isolation to one of
world power. a change forced upon Us
whether we would or not. intelligent Amer
leans have learned that aside from other
considerations it pays to be polite, and
that there is nothing gained by insulting
foreigners. even If they are titled ones.
The main objects of attack in Mr.. Whee-
ler's TRADE were the recent diplomacy of
this government and the proposed recep-
ton TO Prince Henry. He referred to the
present secretary of state as that pitiable
fiunky in the State Department" and de-
clared that from the beginning of his term
of office until now Eve have made our
selves laughing stock at every court in
Europe because of our funkyism, our
truculency and the disgraceful sycOphancy
of the representatives of the Republic at
the feet of Great Britain" The speaker
showed his ignorance by using the word
''truculency," which means fierceness, for
trucking" which he probably meant. But
it will be news to Americans to learn that
the United States has during the last few
years truckled to Great Britain or any
other power, or that it has become a
laughing stock in Europe. On the contrary.
it is true that never before in our history
has the diplomacy of the United States
been more Independent, straightforward
and effective than it has been during the
last few years. Proof of this has appeared
every page of the history of the period.
And it is further true that instead of hav-
and people never stood as high in Europe
and throughout the world as they do at
present. Americans who have been in the
habit of going abroad have remarked that
the term American was never before as
sure a passport to respectful treatment as
it is now. If we were laughing stock, as
the Kentucky statesman AYERS, all Eu-
ropean governments would not be disputinS
for first place in our esteem as they are.
Mr.. Wheelers protest against the pro-
posed reception and entertainment of
Prince Henry is equally as senseless as
his charge of diplomatic fiunkyism, and
more ill-mannered. The honors paid to
Prince Henry are not because he is
prince, but because he is a brother of the
head Of a great friendly power and comes
as the personal representative of the En-
peror There is a rule of politeness and
hospitality among nations as among indi-
yiduals, and one of its requirements is that
visitors of distinguished position or hign
rank should be met in the spirit of their
coming and be treated in the manner GUS
tomary among civilized governments
whether monarchies or republics. The
Kentuckian showed his ignorance again
when he spoke of Prince Henry as "a little
Dutchman." He did not know until he was
informed that a German is not Dutch
man. According to the Wheeler conception
of international comfy this government
should have informed the Emperor that we
had no use for princes in this country, that
his brother would not be a welcome visitor,
and that if he came he need not expect
an official reception or any attention at
| the hands of the government. There has
not been a speech delivered in Congress in
fifty years past so calculated to make the
country a laughing stock and bring the
people into contempt as that of this boor-
| fish, clustering Kentuckian. 1t was the
screech of a yellow statesman.