The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-14
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

Senator Bacon, of Georgia, precipitateG a
discussion IN the Senate relative TO the
propriety of placing a statue of Frederick
the Great in the grounds Of the War
College al Washington. The discussion de-
veloped some opposition 10 the action on
two grounds-frst, that Frederick the
Great was a monarch of the absolute.
divine-right school and without any ym-
pathy with republican ideas of government;
second, that the proposed erection of the
statue was a matter that belonged to Con-
gress and that by accepting it from En-
peror William and naming a location for
it's erection the President had exceeded his
authority.
The latter point seems trivial and sugges-
tive rather of a desire TO criticise the
President than Of maintaining any principle.
The acceptance OF a gift offered by a for
eign ruler to the government of the United
States is at least as much of an executive
as it is legislative act, and the contention
that the constitutional rights of Congress
were invaded or endangered by the action
of the President is absurd. The sacred
halo that surrounds the traditional courtesy
of the Senate" sometimes leads senators to
say and do ridiculous things.
That Frederick the Great was an absolute
monarch, firm believer in the divine right
of kings and devoid Of sympathy with re-
publican ideas of government, is entirely
true. But he was a good soldier and ruler,
and more advanced than some others of his
time. The erection of his statue in Wash
ington need not imply that the American
people approve of his political ideas or
methods Of government. There is enough
in his character to admire outside of
these. Senator Stewart put the case pretty
well when he said:
Frederick the Great It is true was a
great warrior. He was in fact the founder
of the German empire, and there are mill
lions of people in this country, American
citizens, who revere his name and idolize
him almost as much as we do that of our
own Washington. He had many qualities
| besides his great military genius which peo-
| pie admire, and tnasmuch as there are
| something of his character and admire it
| much, l think Ii would be a very I'M
| gracious thing not TO give place to a
statue of him. Our relations with the
| German empire are friendly. We want to
| cultivate that friendship. The statue has
been presented by the Emperor, and we
ought not to raise any sharp issues about
the political opinions of Frederick the
| Great He knew the opinions and hearts
| OF the common people, which few rulers
can appreciate. That added to his military
| genius, enabled him TO found the German
/ empire. Why should we not have his
| statue here? There is certainly something
| for the youths to admire.
This is a broader view and more catholic
| spirit than was shown by Senator Bacon.
Because one hangs portraits of great rulers
in his gallery it does not follow that he
of Congress contains biographies of all the
| great rulers and aoIdiers from the earliest
| TO recent times it does not follow that the
American people approve of all their acts
or policies. AS Senator Stewart said, some
| thing can be learned from the character
| and career of Frederick the Great withou,
looking for points to criticise.
But the turning point of the case is the
| fact that the statue was the voluntary
| offering of Emperor William, who intended
it as gracious and friendly act What else
could the President do but accept it
| What would Senator Bacon have had hin
do? What could Congress have done bu
| accept the gift if the President had re-
| ferred the matter to Congress? And hi.
| reference OF the matter to Congress would
have been almost as great a slight OIL
Emperor William a positive declinatior
of the gift would have been. There is NJ
principle involved in the acceptance of tn,
statue, and this government cannot AFFORD
| to be boorish in it's dealings with others.