Morning journal and courier., 1880-03-10
What is a JingO

What is 8 JInROl
 From the Lon don Saturday Reviewl
 Chance has given currency to 8 word which possibly may one day become as widely known and as respectable as the name of whig or tory-the word "Jingo." An Eng glish traveller abroad is said to have been not long ago asked the question by continental politician, Mais, qu'estce que'cert donc mon- sieur, que ce Jingo?" His own ideas on the mat ter not being very clearly defined, he made answer, with delusive playfulness, that 1t was Mir. Gladstone's familiar spirit The epithet it now used by liberal speakers, even by the most moderate and eminent of them, as a convenient missile to fling at their opponents, and by radicals it is applied freely, and one may say indiscriminately, to all who desire to maintain the honor and integrity of the British Empire. A word which the political excitement of the last three years has engrav- ed so deeply in peoples memories, and which the excitement of the next elections will per- haps fix there still more firmly, cannot be soon forgotten; and even if it does not attain hereafter to the classic dignity of the two names cited above, it's place in history is al- ready won.
 But then what is Jingo exactly? Is it man who believes in what Lord Derby calls ''gunpowder and glory" whatever this may mean Is it a man who wants to fight every body all round, if such man there be? If we turn to that celebrated refrain which has giv- en currency to the word, and which will be remembered longer than many verses of great CT lyrical value, we can find nothing more in 1t than the expression of a modest frmness and self-reliance. It breathes defense, not defiance. It afhrms that we have no desire for war, but that, should war arise, we have the means to face it. This temperate affrma- tion is clenched with an oath, reprehensible indeed, and by no means refined, but far less objectionable than many other such words that we unfortunately hear even from the lib- H. oIn Since there is nothing in the origin of the word, as political term, which explains the use made of it, and since philology has no key by which to unlock it's significance where are we to turn for an explanation We shall find clew in the policy and temper of the men who use it as term of reproach. Bear ing this in mind, we see that Jingoism comes to pretty much the same thing as another word also used by the same sort of people as term of reproach-namely, Imperialism.
 Why Not Edmunds9
 (From the Hartford Courantl
 The convention must look to availability That is very true. But active politicians, in the heat of personal enthusiasm, are apt to. be mistaken in: their judgment of what is called availability. If they could select the best man, they would frequently find they had taken the most available man. The country is in @ thoughtful, careful and somewhat skeptical mood. It is not in 8 temper to be U y, or by any enthusiasm, and enthusiasm is 8 very wholesome thing; the only question now is what character, what virtues are most like ly to create ths enthusiasm that will at this moment weld voters into an effective mass.
 Innumerable times the question has been asked, "Why not nominate Senator Ed munds9" And nobody has given reasons in the negative. We appeal to the experience of every Republican voter. The common re- ply is, ''That would suit me-" "Edmunds would be the man if we could nominate him." We have hear yet to hear an objection to the man. Everybody says he would make an ad- mirable President. Take notice that the name always elicits cordial endorsement, and not seldom personal enthusiasm. q should like to work for Edmunds;" 'T should like to take the stump for Edmunds;" ;" ''ihere is nothing about Edmunds that needs explanation" This private conviction is exactly the thing that makes great public enthusiasm.
 Edmunds is one of the ablest men of this generation in the Senate; he is thoroughly trained in politics and statesmanship. He has a masterly comprehension of all the great sub- jects that have been before us. In debate he is great power, not by the use of rhetoric or what is termed eloquence, for he detests all display and pretense, but by sheer force of brains. Like Webster, he has the clearness of statement that amounts to demonstration. He is great lawyer. He unites the rare greatness of keenness in details with the most comprehensive mastery of principles. His mind is lucid and unconfused, through and through. His moral soundness is equal to his mental No man ever had so much as 8 thought of questioning his integrity.
 In politics his sstaIwartism'' is acceptable to the most stalwart. Nor is there @ disciple of the generous disoontent" in criticism who does not respect him. It is rarely or never given to a man to so unite the respect of all shades and classes. Every Democrat in Con- gross will speak well of him. Yet he is the sharpest critic in the Senate, and compels himself to perform great deal of vastly i'm portant service in objecting to party or un- wise legislation.
 He is able in every feld-law, legislation statesmanship, practical politics.
 He is careful in making up his judgments, and firm in maintaining them.
 He is utterly without fear or embarrass-, ment in expressing and maintaining his opin- ions He has great qualities of equity and courage.
 He is permeated in every drop and fibre with the spirit of American ideas of liberty and political progress.
 He is available. Every Republican news paper would speak well of him-every one, stalwart or hberal-every neutral paper, every religious paper with Republican leanings in- deed every Democratic paper would acknowl- edge his ability, his learning, his experience, his honesty, his fearless adherence to principle. In two weeks after his nomination every journal and every orator would be enthusiastic. The Republicans would only have to say, "There he standsi" An insinustion against his repu- tation would cause only laugh everywhere. That is unassailRble. He would unite every faction of the party, and sweep in every hon. est independent voter.
 Why should not New England present Ed munds at Chicagos