The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-06
SENATOR GoRMAN ON THE NAVY.

In his criticism OF the Administrations
naval policy Senator German reflected the
dominant trait Of the Democratic party.
viz. refusal 10 be suited with anything
Republican administration or Congress may
do. The paramount issue with the De-
mocracy is dissatisfaction. No matter what
Is done. IL should either not have been done
at all should have been done differently.
IL anything is omitted. overlooked or post
poned that is grave fault. but if it be
taken up and promptly disposed of. that is
a graver fault still. Probably there never
existed in any country a party with such
splendid capacity for telling how things
ought TO be done and such utter incapac-
ity for doing them the Democracy.
Senator German felt obliged to deny the
charge that he is opposed TO building up
the navy, because he knows the country
needs and the people want a strong navy,
and 1t Is not popular to oppose it. Yet it
would not be in accordance with Democrat
ic principles to give hearty and patriotic
support TO the naval policy of Republican
Congress and administration. The time
honored doctrines of the Democracy re-
quired him TO find some ground Of oppo-
sition, so he said he was not opposed TO
the upbuilding OF the navy, but he did not
want navy for display, but for service.
The inference was that our present navy
has been built and that the administration
is using it for display. and that IL the Dem
ocrats were in power, with say Senator
German as President. we should have a
navy not for display but for service.
Some people will dissent from the idea
that our present navy has been constructed
and used solely for display. They recall
the fact that the ships under Admiral
Dewey did a fairly good job OF sinking the
Spanish fleet at Manila bay. and that an
other fleet Of American ships rather carried
off the honors at Santiago. They have not
forgotten the memorable performance of
the Oregon in steaming 1900 miles and re-
porting for duty in ample time to assist
in sinking the Spanish squadron. That was
not altogether a holiday performance. Sem
ator German would have a navy not for
display but for service. What does he mean
by service?
When it became evident that there was
likely to be trouble on the isthmus the ad-
ministration. mindful OF its duty to pro-
tect American lives and property and keep
transit across the isthmus open. sent some
warships down in that direction. When
the trouble came the ships were within call
and marines were landed. who maintained
order and behaved very CALAMITY. The
ships are still down there keeping the peace
and protecting American interests. Per-
haps Senator German regards these serv-
ices as all done for display. and yet he con-
dennis every step the administration has
taken in the matter. He says he would
have a navy not for display but for serv-
ice. Could he have used a serviceable
navy more advantageously for the country
than President Roosevelt did our display
navy?
Senator German said ii was rumored in
high naval circles that the United States
on its shoulder, with a taunt to Germany
to knock it off. 1t is not at all likely that
anything of the kind has been rumored in
naval circles. II naval officers thought the
President was actuated by such a motive
they would be much more apt to approve
than TO condemn il. The idea originated
with Senator German and other Democrats
who trying to find an issue or make
some kind of case against the admins
tration. They all want navy not for dis
play but for service, but when the navy
performs any service or shows q willing
ness and readiness to do so, they censure
il and the administration. 1t would be in
teresting to know what Senator German
means by a navy for service and what a
Democratic administration would do with
such a navy.