The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-06
SATURDAY, FEB. 6, 1904.
THE FLAG HAULED DOWN.


Whenever in the past anybody has
protested against the injustice and un-
righteousness and un-Americanism OF
our occupation of distant lands, it has
been deemed a sufficient answer to say
that the American flag must never be
hauled down. That statement tickles
the ears of the groundlings and is sure
to evoke a volley of cheers from the
thoughtless 1t appeals to our national
vanity; this notion that wherever the
national emblem has once been raised
1T shall fly forever But 1t is as desti-
tute of foundation in fact as it is of
nobility in idea.
The principle really is the same as it
would be in the case of an individual
who, having done great wrong, should
declare to himself that it would be bet
ter to persevere in it than to admit
himself in error. The fact Of it is that
the flag has been hauled down without
national injury, but greatly to the ma
TONS credit, many times. 1t was low
cred in Hawaii after our first criminal
assault upon the libertie1 of that neo-
pie, and we all of us know today that
we suffered heavy loss when it was
raised again. 1t was hauled down on
Thursday from the Cabanas barracks
in Cuba. The Cuban flag was run up
in its place, and our troops left the
island where the national ensign no
longer f1oated.
Does anybody find in this incident a
token of national humiliation? Is It
not, on the other hand, accepted every
where as one Of the surest proofs of
the real greatness of the United States
that it has been strong enough and no |
bic enough to leave Cuba Independent, |
although it had the physical power to |
take the island and compel the subnis- |
sion of its people? We have but to pic
ture to ourselves the flag we all love |
descending slowly from its staff, the |
eloquent words of praise and thanks |
spoken by Cuba's representatives, the |
satisfaction of our own people over a
generous work accomplished and a |
worthy deed happily done, to under
stand that this lowering of the flag
brings a national satisfaction no less
serene or worthy than hosting it in the
place of the symbol of a conquered
foe.
IA mn I1o
der similar circumstances, the flag
should come down from every emf
nence where it ought not to be. There
is no reason in fact or in theory ubv
we should not at least guarantee to the
Ffipinos at some definite future tima
the same treatment that we have given
to the Cubans. Our flag might retire |
with as much honor from the Eastern
archipelago as from the Queen of the |
Antilles. In either case it wouId he !
only the tribute of a great nation and
tree people to the same idea that has
made them free and great.
We have been possessed of late nv q
mania, still paramount with our ruliny
men and our dominant party, holding
that aggression is the path to national
greatness. 1t is an idea discordan+ |
with all our past, and false as hell to |
every truth of moral development. as
Wen as every lesson of history. There
Is an altruism which goes to the max
ing Of national, as well as of individra, |
NOBILITY 1t will be serviceable to orr
people If they shall consider this low
ering of the flag in Cuba to our salts
faction and our honor; and GET rid
through that practical Illustration of |
the silly superstition and false pride
which declares that the flag must stav
where 1t has once been placed. though
that should involve cruelty and wrong
II they only knew it those Minnesota
FARMERS who have been accused af -