Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-11


as often as desired.
secretary Blaine's reply to the counsel of
Hartmann, the nihilist, was a crusher. This law
yer seemed to labor under the mistaken inn
preston that because he had assured Hartmann
that he would be safe i'm the United States no
body had any right or authority to gainsay it.
In writing his presumptuous letter to Secretary
Blaine. he gave the Secretary fine opportunity
to treat the subject in his very best vein. The
counsel no doubt felt much less consequential
after getting the Secretary's reply. If he did
not he is incapable of feeling.
Hartmann's visit to this country has demon
strated that the Americans have no sort of SYM
pathy with or for assassins or those who advo-
cate assassination. If the sentiment of this
country had ever been loose upon that question,
the shocking crime of the assassin Guteau was
enough to awaken it to a proper sense of the
enormity of such Ofenses. While the whole peo-
pie are daily and hourly suffering anxiety because
of their wounded President, it is no time
for assassins or the apologists for assassins to
appear before the public and ask for sympathy
or protection. Hartmann condemned himself
i'm Boosting of his connection with the blowing
up of train on which it was expected the late
the dagger as legitimate weapons for use in
political warfare. Consequently, instead of
being welcomed to America as a hero he found
himself execrated, and he heard general de-
mand that in case Russia asked for his extradi-
ton he should be turned over to the authorities
of that government.
The adventures and dynamite politicians who
are seeking to establish socialism. communism
understand that though we enjoy unlimited
freedom in the United States we have no license
Tor crime. Law prevails here, and it will be ex-
acuted with due regard to the rights of the in
iividual. whether he be citizen or not. That
s enough for Hartmann to know. He can feel
entirely satisfied that no injustice will be done
aim. though it would be more consistent with
his past record for him to remain very quiet and
not undertake to teach his ideas and methods in
this country.
The republicans of Virginia have divided into
two factions thus leaving to the democrats of
the state an easy victory this fall. The readus-
sers responsible for the republican split, and
shere is some satisfaction to be extracted from
the fact that they viii probably go down in the
general wreck they have made. Had the man
agement of republican politics been left to repub-
iieans in Virginia. the policy of the party could
and no doubt would have been determined by
the usual methods. and it would have had united
support. The early intermeddling of the read
Justers with the affairs of the republican party
incensed many of the me&beYs of the latter who
did not propose to be dragoOned into the sup
port OF any movement. The true republican
leaders of the state insisted that convention
made up of delegates regularly chosen should
pass upon the coalition proposition. At first
the readJusters. with an air of assumed au-
thority. antagonized the idea of con-
vention, and wanted the republican committee
TO indorse the Malone ticket. Finally, when
q convention could not be prevented, the read
justers set deliberately and unscrupulously TO
work TO control it. They sent emissaries into
the republican primary meetings to disturb their
deliberations and create confusion where they
could not control The eOa!itiOnists inaugurated
the pohcyof getting up cOnteSting delegations
where they were Outnumbered and this sort of
tactics still further increased the republican in-
dignatiOn- There was fair prospect for repub-
lean success in Virginia this year, had the party
stood solidly together in support of recognized
republican principles The democrats are di-
vided into two factions,-funders and readjust-
ers. The indications are that the united repub-
ican vote would be stronger than either of the
democratic factions; but the readiusters in their
anxiety to win a victory with republican votes
have left clear field to the regular democrats.
The straightout convention at Lynchburg met
this morning, pursuant to adjournment last
night, to complete its work. The chances are
that the straightouts, or large proportion of
fhpm will fba
cratic ticket in order to make the readjuster de-
feat the more crushing
This mornings bulletin from the White House
Indicated gratifying Improvement in the Presi-
dents condition The surgeons, it will be re-
membered, were counting confidently upon a
marked improvement by this morning They
confidently expected the President to rally from
the effect of the last operation. This hope has
happily been realized and it is now the opinion of
the doctors that their distinguished patient will
Continue to make steady progress. The continual
tion OF high temperature and pulse for several
days naturally created in the public mind feel
ing of uneasiness; but this feeling has not been
shared by the surgeons in attendance upon the
President, nor by the others Immediately around
him. His recovery must necessarily be slow and
tedious; but there is still every reason to believe
that he will, in time. be restored to health and
strength.
The New York state board Of health is actively
sustaining the new law against the adultera-
ton of food The board has appointed eight
analysts in various parts Of the state, and has
made arrangements for collecting and examin-
ing samples of food articles. Any citizen who
desires to have a sample of food tested has only
to give notice to that effect by mail to the board
of health. The board appeals to all citizens to
assist in the enforcement of the law. This is a
measure for the protection of the people, and
one OF character that Is needed in all the