The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-26

After thinking about the matter for
whole week. Representative Stephens. of
Texas. concluded that his duty as a sentinel
on the watch tower OF liberty would not be
discharged unless he urged Congress to
protest against the Presidents acceptance
on behalf Of the Nation OF the statue of
Frederick the Great, offered by Emperor
William. He accordingly introduced reso-
luton of which dispatch says:
1t sets forth that the United States should
not accept from any foreign nation or erect
In any public place any statue of any King.
Emperor, prince or pOtentate who has ruled
or Is now ruling any nation by the supposed
divine right of kings. The resolution further
sets forth that the acceptance of such
statue by this government would be a repu-
diation of it's basic principles as enunciated
in the bill OF rights and Constitution. an in
suit 10 the memories OF our revolutionary
fathers, an admission that one man may
govern nation without the consent of the
governed. and after his death have his
statue erected in our Republic and the
blessings OF the divine right of kings TO rule
thereby approved.
When President Roosevelt replied to EN-
peror Williams offer, thanking him in the
name OF the United States, he said he would
Immediately submit the offer to Congress.
Then 1t probably occurred to him that the
matter might be made an occasion for en-
barrassing discussion, and. he accepted the
proffered gift on his own responsibility, as
he had right to do. But the gentleman
from Texas still sees an opportunity to adj
vertise the fact that there are some MEM
bers of Congress who think that American
patriotism consists in fiouting and insulting
foreign governments and peoples on all
possible occasions. 1t is a very cheap and
contemplate sort of patriotism. Because
the United States is republic is no reason
why ii should pose as a boor among ma
tions. When a European government ex-
tends its hand in friendship or offers us a
gift TO which it attaches special value, and
which, in this case, was designated as "a
lasting sign of the friendly relations be-
tween our two great nations" we do not
exalt our country nor the quality of our
patriotism by rejecting the proffered gift
and splitting in the face of the would-be
donor. Louis XVI ruled in France by d.
vine right. and yet the American colonists
were glad to accept men and money from
him in support Of the revolution. Lafayette
OOuAll whose statue was
unveiled in Washington on Saturday, both
wore his uniform, as did all the other
French officers who fought in the Revolu-
tionary war. If we could fraternize with
the live soldiers OF live King when we
were weak and struggling colonies, it is
difficult TO see how we "repudiate the basic
principles of our government" by accepting
the dead statue of a dead King when we are
great and powerful nation, and when its
acceptance is nothing more than an act of
International politeness. The gentleman
from Texas should introduce a resolution
to rescind the postal union because it
makes foreign postage stamps with the por-
traits of kings on them good In the United
States. and prohibiting the circulation of
Canadian money for the same reason.