Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-06
The Mesa ge.

If an Hibernianism is in order Ii may be
said that one of the most important things
In the message is the thing we fail to find
there. Tariff revision is not mentioned.
We may probably conclude from the
omission two things:
90 The President regards the tariff ques-
ton as of very great Importance. and CD he
will give 1t further thought before commit
ting himself as to his party's line of action
in the premises. The country will gladly
indulge him in the time he needs His con-
ferences with party leaders have been
numerous. and a great variety of views
about revising the tariff have been sub
mitted to him. These, to be of value, must
be we'll considered and the President, in
order to lead these leaders and his party,
must knead them into a workable cQmmod-
lily When he takes up the matter with
Congress his message will possess unusual
interest.
Upon all the topics which We're in shape
for deliverance the President has spoken
clearly and informingly. The farmer will
read his words on the state of agriculture
and what is promised for the early future
with increased appreciation of the oppor-
tunities of the tiller of the soil in country
where the government lends so much aid.
The man of business will read about the
general conditions with increased confidence
in our ability to keep on In our present
course. And all men, regardless of calling,
or party, or opinion to domestic policies,
will read of our happy relations with for
eign nations with the heartiest pride ana
satisfaction. 1t Is a story of credit TO
everybody who has been active In so noble
behalf.
The country is prepared for the Presi-
dents words as to the army. the navy. ana
our new possessions. He speaks the
people themselves have just spoken. The
army Is to be kept fit for the purposes of
its creation. The navy Is to be Increased
as the national needs and purposes de-
mand. Its size and quality must emphasize
our new lines of territorial control, and
make good if need be at any time our
reassertion of the Monroe doctrine In an
era different in many things from that
when the doctrine was promulgated. Our
duty in, Hawaii and Porto Rico and the
Philippines Is courageously set forth, and
even the anti-imperialsts may find some
thing in the statement of the Philippine
ease of a nature to soothe their solicitude
for the FilipnOs and quiet their apprehen-
sions about the loss of liberty i'll the United
States. For they are reminded that the
natives of the archipelago are already par
ticpating in their local affairs to con-
siderable extent, and the day Is rapidly
drawing near when house of assembly
selected by them is to be put upon trial.
The message is long, and embraces many
subjects. In all of them 1t will lead to dis
cussion both in the press and in Congress.
The party in power has been Endorsed at the
polls upon a platform covering every point
of national moment and its leadership, in
Congress and out. is OF such experience as
to leave no excuse for temporizing or
evasion. The republicans must come up to
the scratch Otherwise there will be a
reckoning. The democracy today looks dis
organized and demoralized But parties
sometimes recover very rapidly from such
a condition. and two years hence the vic
tors of this years contest will be called on
to give an account of their stewardship;
and they cannot be too particular about the
record.