National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-25


belligerent members of the American
family of nations in the interest of peace
and order, and we have done this in
many cases with most gratifying results.
But we have never claimed that IL was
our right, duty, or policy to espouso the
cause ofone American belligerent against
the protest of the other. That Is the
Blaine policy, as unlike the Monroe
Doctrine as any two theories can be.
A. a. Sargent.
The nomination of ex-senator Sargent,
of California, as Minister to Berlin is n
deserved recognition of the known abil-
ity, uprightness and energy of one of our
most valuable public men. Those with
whom Mr. Sargent served six years in the
House Of Representatives and six years
in the Senate will bear unanimous testi-
mony that his public career is without
stain, and all who knew him in his pri-
waite life know that he is above reproach.
The only attacks ever made upon him
were from sources which were either
misinformed or unworthy. His reputa-
ton had too solid foundation to be at
all affected by them. lie will reflect
credit upon our diplomatic service.
Our illustrous friend, the unmatched
editor of our wildly-loved contemporary,
the Critic, labors under the impression
that he has been saying something con-
corning our foreign relations not to an
swer which is indicative of silent con-
tempt for him on the part of THE Ma
TIoNAL REPUBLICAN. There is no such
stuff in our thoughts. We know of no
sage utterance of his land he could make
no other) intended for our notice which
has not been answered after our poor,
stumbling fashion. Great publicists like
our illuslrious friend should not expect
too much from mere editors.
TIE only common bond of sympathy
among Democrats of the old school, and
the only living principle of the Bourbon
party, is opposition to the most Demo-
cratic reform of modern times-the Fif-
teenth Amendment. The Republican
party of to-day is much nearer approach
to Jenersonian Democracy than any other
existing organization. Its creed and prac-
tce have presented healthful compro-
mise between Hamiltonian and Jefler-
sonan theories Its most aggressive steps
have been the most Democratic of its acts.
THE Constitution of the United States
and the laws made in pursuance thereof
contain no provision that forbids any
man or woman to organize new party.
But the experience of mankind in this
Republic has convinced political phi
losophers that parties, likepoets, are born,
not made. A careful inspection of the
election returns for 1880, as compared
with those of previous years, does not
reveal any indication that q new party is
about to be born.
THERE is no longer any excuse for ig-
norance on the subject of political parties.
All the erudition of the school men could
not add word or letter to this definition
from the Post, nor could the most con-
summate master of rhetorical diction
augment its simple but imposing beauty
Parties are the product of thinking ON each
side of n well defined line, each having patriotic
purposes, but moving toward their development
on divergent issues.
TRUE 10 its sordid instincts, the Demo-
cratic press is still harping on President
,Tilden's salary" The financial feature
of the case is the only one that has left
lasting impression on the Democratic
mind. Yet Mr.. Tilden made ten times
the amount of that SALARY" when he
unloaded his elevated railroad stocks af-
ter promising Mr.. Field that he would
hold on.
The late Attorney General, Mr. Mac
Veagh, attorney for the Pennsylvania
Railroad, gives it as his opinion before
the House Commerce Committee, which
is considering the subject of railroad
regulations, that all the remedy necessary
for railroad abuses is "mere publicity"
Wonder they had not disappeared long
age.
EVENTS have not justified the foreign
policy of the late Earl Beaconsfeld. In
selecting that statesman rs his model
Mr.. Blaine was peculiarly unfortunate.
The British people have learned by most
costly experience that an administration
is never so profitably employed as when
engaged in minding its own business.
-~-
GENERAL SKoBELEFF has caused his
name to ring throughout the world as
Russian general sounding war-cry
against Germany at a dinner-table. He
ought to be allowed to state, in mitiga-
ton of his folly, how much wine was
under his military belt when he made
his robust remarks.
Mr.. BLAINEs Washington organ thinks
there is crying need of some great po-
litcal phenomenon that "will take the
country out of its present dormant con-
dition." The official statistics of our
great industries show that the "present
dormant condition" is eminently con-
ducive to prosperity.
OUR foreign trade cannot be built up
| by force or buster. We can sell our
wares wherever and whenever we can
make il for the interest of foreign ma