The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-06
LODGE DEFENDS
THE PRESIDENT
Continued from First Pase)


condemned felons In France, constituting
the Panama company, would you be will
ing now to take this s40000,000 to be paid
by the United States and give 1t to the
republic of Panama."
Mr. Lodge answered that he would not
be willing to so divert money which ne
believed to belong rightfully to the Pan
anna Canal company.
Recognized Right of Secession.
Mr. Lodge declared that the last con-
stitution, of Colombia to which Pan
America had given it's adhesion, was that
of 1856 which had recognized the right
of secession. He declared the question
involved to be an American question,
and one in which on the whole American
people are deeply interested. The canal,
he says, gives us an interest In the
isthmus which cannot be overestimated.
1t gives us practically continuous coast
from Colombia to Maine, and he did not
believe Colombia should stand across the
pathway of the progress of the world.
The question, he said, is neither partisan
nor sectional, and In his opinion all per-
sons could unite in sustaining the course
that has been pursued. Nevertheless
there had been some partisanship mani
tested.
MT. 1sOuBe Inen SPOKE III the NtNieioh
banquet in New York last night, saying;
Spoke of Mcclellan Banuet.
This morning, | had the pleasure of
reading the account of great banquet
in New York. Among others present,
was a very distinguished citizen of my
own state, whom | am very proud and
happy to call my friend. / very rarely
agree with him on any political question,
but he made single statement last night
with which | think | am in more or less
agreement. He referred. in a picturesque
way to the dreadful career that has been
run by the republican party until 1t came
into power In 1896 He said they have
passed from a needless war with Spain,
to wanton war with Colombia Needless
war with Spain. Mr.. President, ! am in
clned to think that adjective was well
chosen.
'If. when the first stirring news for
independence had come in that island. the
administration of Cleveland had behaved
with sense and courage; If they had tod
Spain that the time had come when the
United States could no longer hold back.
and that Cuba must be free. | believed
then, and | believe now, that Cuba would
have obtained her independence, peS5eps
after some protracted negotiations, but
believed that II that administration i'm
stead of taking counsel with the minis
ter of Spain. had been guided by sound
brave American spirit before Spain had
souandered blood and treasure in the is
land. we might, indeed, have been saved
from the war.
Mr.. Olneys Reference.
"And. / look forward with great inter-
est and great pleasure TO the picture that
was drawn at that dinner by the ex-sec-
rotary of state, when he eulogized the last
democratic president. Apparently in
twenty years. he is the only candidate
they can produce and Mr. Olney seems
to think he is the only one they can run.
Whatever his strength, or whatever his
weakness. | can not refrain from saying
that his nomination would present me
nj least with one great source of pleasure.
His administration never has been dis
cussed / do not regard the democratic
party--this. 1 suppose Is partisan re-
mark. but | shall make it,--as always
Astounding in good sense. but they had
too much sense to fight the campaign or
1886 on Mr. Cieveland's administration.
.They repuiiated him and his adminis-
tration, and we were deprived or the
chance of discussing it. We can say what
we will about the silver issue. but it was
q better issue for the democratic party
TO meet the country on. than what has
gone before: and when | saw the ac-
counts of this delightful banquet in New
York. and read those inspiring speeches.
and observed the democratic party once
more through its chosen leaders. there
preparing to stand across the pathway
of American progress, and proposing to
nut at the head. the man who held last
bower IN their NAME l confess my spirits