Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 109, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1904 — The Conversion Of An Anti Imperialist [ARTICLE]

The Conversion Of An Anti Imperialist

1 The democrats are disposed to make a leading issue of the Philippine question, aud a raign the repub lioan party for not giving the Filipinos their independence. They call ibis “anti-imperialism ” The' Out. look of Aug. 20, contains an interes. ting article from the pen of Mr. David Gray, formerly oonneoted ed. itorially with the New York World. Mr, Gray has been a Demoorat because of his anti imperialistic views, when he disagreed with the party upon almost every other question. Now he has disooveied that hi 9 party is as far wrong in its Philippine polioy as it was on the money question, Hia artiole in the Outlook is thus summarized by a contributor to the LaFayette Journal.

Mr. Gray says he believed that the Amerioan government was commitfjng an international orime in not granting the Filipinos independence. So two years ago be went to the Philippines, as he sa)s, "to gather facts with which to prosecute a campaign for Filipino emancipation.” Bnt like every one el*e who has gone to the Philippines and gotten the facts, Mr. Gray returned conver. ted to the republican- polioy on the Philippine question. Mr. Gray says he got hie information first hand by visiting many weeks in Manilla and all t\e principal provinces. He had many long talk* with Aguinaldo, J&abini and Aglipay. He says to hia great surprise he found a people

without ary qualifications whatever for self governmeit. He 9ijß "the more intelligent among them view with apprehension the possibility of abandonment by the United States

One difference between Theodore Roosevelt and his principal oppon ent is that if Theodore Roosevelt found ooassioD to complain in public of anything of publio interest he would mention the specific thing and then say in words not to be misund. .rstoodjust what he would do if placed in a position to bring about the ch >nges he supposed to be needed. Theodore Roosevelt has many admirable qualities, but the one o 1 all that should command the most admiration is his genuineness. He has treated many questions in their numerous phrases, but in none o’ these has he sought to crea'e an unetsonable discontent or to intestify a feeling of discontent that already exists. In this there is a market difference between him and the man the !high finance” of Wall street selected as early as February, 1903, as their candidate for president, anc •t is a difference that is altogether infavor of the man Roosevelt.

The nomination of Charles W. Fairbanks for vice president came not as the result of an attitude of candidacy on the part of Indiana’s distinguished senior senator, but as his loyal response to a call to duty, uttered by a united party to one already occupying a position of national leadership so lofty and secure that the acceptance of what must under any circumstances be regarded as a notable preferment, seemed to the people of his state to be a distinct sacrifice of personal In* terests. From the party standpoint the acceptance of the nomination by Senator Fairbanks is a cause for congratulation, because his name upon the national ticket wili be a source of strength to Republicanism, not only in Indiana, but throughout the nation. And so far as Hoosierdom is concerned the hold which Mr. Fairbanks has upon the people of this great state makes doubly sure the assurance of overwhelming Republican victory at the polls in November. It is hardly necessary to recount for the benefit of Indianians the incidents of the career of Senator Fairbanks, vice president to be, for they havp for years been following his progress with increasing interest and pride. Born and reared on an Ohio farm, educated at Ohio Wesleyan University, passing through the young lawyer’s customary struggle for a foothold, achieving in Indianapolis professional eminence and financial success, he became, even as a young man, a commanding figure in the business and professional life of his adopted state.

Senator Fairbanks’ entry as a positive force in national Republican politics may be said to date from the St. Louis Republican convention of 1896, and the events leading up to it. While he enjoyed a wide professional and business acquaintance from his legal career, having practiced in the leading courts of the country, and at the same time having enjoyed an acquaintance with national Republican leaders on Account of his participation in the Republican national convention of 1888 and 1892, his friends regard the stirring political events of 1896 as the real signal for the suspension of the professional and the beginning of the official political career. Senator Fairbanks was a leader of the movement which in Indiana resulted in the selection of a delegation favorable to the nomination for the presidency of his long-time friend. Major William McKinley. In the historic convention of 1896 Mr. Fairbanks was one of the dominating figures, serving as a dele-gate-at-large from Indiana and temporary chairman of the convention, his speech on this occasion attracting national attention. During the campaign which ensued in Indiana Mr. Fair banks’ candidacy for the United States senate was a recognized fact. The state was carried by a plurality of 20,000, and in the Reublican legislative caucus Mr. Fairbanks was nominated Tor senator on the first ballot. Mr. Fairbanks took a high rank in the senate from tha day ha entered. He participated actively in the work of the extra session which passad the Dlngley tariff bill, thus increasing the revenues, restoring the Surplus and Incidentally reinstating tha gold reserve redemptgm fund, the steady diminution Of which during the four years previous had bean of serious concern to Ul9 financial and business Interests of the country, ite was equally prominent In the legislation revising the cuis-ency laws which followed the Dlngley bill as a restorative measure He had been one of the first to raise his voice in behalf of maintaining the national credit inviolate, and to that end placing the currency of the coun-