The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-09
MR.. REED AND HIS PARTY.
Mr.. johnson Thinks the Journals Es-
innate Not Entirely Just.

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal.
/ have just read in your issue OF to-day
your editorial upon the late Thomas b.
Reed. This editorial is written in a kindly
spirit and SENS to me to be, in the main.
quite just estimate of the character of the
distinguished dead. L am confident. how
ever, that you have fallen into error In one
statement which you have made. You say:
Those who knew Mr.. Reed best, and who
understood his infirmities and admired his
matchless qualities, know that he drifted
into partial opposition to his party relative
to the policy adopted with reference to the
acquisition of the Philippines, because he
was laboring under the delusion that he
should have been nominated for President
in 1896 instead of Mr.. Mckinley. and that
the latter's friends had not treated him
fairly
1t is in this expression that believe you
are at fault. was never on intimate terms
with Mr.. Reed, but, while L represented the
Sixth congressional district in the House of
Representatives /. of course, saw great
deal of him, both in public and in private.
L not only heard him talk many times TO
others, but also conversed with him quite
often myself. He was frequently the sub
ject of conversation by others in my hear
ing. and / think l know the opinion enter
tanned of his character by his colleagues in
the House. and by other public men. in
Guiding such of these were his most in
innate associates. This is particularly true
with respect to his attitude upon the Phil
ippine question.
That Mr. Reed did not feel cordial toward
Mr.. Mckinley is doubtless true. Possibly
he felt disappointed over his defeat Tor the
presidential nomination, and also felt re-
sentiment towards some individuals who he
thought had opposed his nomination by un-
fair means or from unworthy motives. but
certainly his opposition to the Philippine
policy of the administration arose from no
such ignoble considerations as these. but
from a sincere and conscientious belief
that the policy wrong in principle.
/ remember of several conversations L
had with him upon this Philippine question
while it was being discussed in the House
of Representatives II was impossible to
listen to his words while he conversed upon
this subject. to watch the expression Of his
face and doubt that he spoke from any
motive except the most lofty and patriotic
conviction. | remember that he said TO me
in of these conversations that he had
debated long and seriously whether il was
not his duty to take the floor of the House
and there present his views in opposition
to this policy to his colleagues and to the
country, but that he had finally concluded
not to do so.
Time and again L have heard the mem.
bers of thesHouse and other men i'm public
life, men of all shades of political opinion
men who were friendly to Mr.. Reed and
men who were unfriendly to him, comment
upon his attitude upon this question and
in no instance did I hear a single individual
intimate that he was actuated in his vie VS.
by personal pique or by disappointed ambi-
ton, but invariably he was credited with
acting from disinterested and sincere mo-
tiveS.
Whether Mr. Reed was right or wrong in
the opinion which he entertained upon this
topic ! am not now discussing, although
entertain quite decided views as TO this.
What | maintain is simply that his opinion
was honestly and periodically entertained.
Thomas B. Reed. as you say in your able
editorial, had his infrmities. but he never
theless belonged to that class of public men
who are largely influenced In their action
by their convictions and who are not accus-
toned to give undue weight to considera-
tons which are wholly personal. In no in
stance did he cxemplify this trait of his
character more strikingly than in his stand
on the Philippine question: IL is my belief
that he surrendered his seat In Congress
rather than sacrifice his convictions upon
that matter.
/ am sure that the Journal. now that the
country appears to have settled the once
vexed question of holding the Philippines
| i'm accordance with the views which Ii has
| overwhelmingly advocated | doubt not
will not Intentionally attribute 10 Thomas
| Il. Reed personal or unworthy motives I'm
| the opposition which he manifested to a
| step he deemed to be unwise and unjust.
HENRY L. JOHNSON.
Richmond. Ind, Dec. s.