The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-27
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

THE Franco-Prussian revealed the sad
fact that France did not possess single military
genius. None has appeared since then, and the
French war department Is stupid and clumsy
machine. If the French government is wise it
will not go to war with China.-New York World.
IN view of the uses to which the military sys-
tom Is put as the cOercive engine of trade sys-
tenn which blights every interest of every NATION
on which it falls, the prayer of all who have the
best interests OF humanity at heart will be:
''GOod Lord! Still further increase the democrat
lzation OF the British armyP-Chlcago Inter
Ocean.
THERE is n simple remedy for Illicit distiling
in the mountains of North Carolina and Tonnes
see. Let the tax on whisky-which at present is
ninety cents per gallon-be reduced One-hAlf or
to fifty cents per gallon, as has been suggested
by noted economists who have carefully studied
the subject, then the gain by unlawful work
would not pay for the risks incurred.-New York
Herald
THE reform of the primary system seems to be
Impossible 30 long as preliminary political &C
ton is left to voluntary associations of citizens
and TO irresponsible management. The only
effectual remedy can see for the evils of the
caucus system is TO snpersede it altogether by a
preliminary election for the choice OF candidates
held under the sanction of law and regulated by
State authority. as final elections are now regu-
lated.-New York Times.
FRANCE has got herself into serious trouble.
When man has been badly beaten by his grown
up neighbor, and undertakes to encourage his
military spirit" by pounding a small boy up a
dark alley, public sympathy will not go with
him If he succeeds. But if he fails, every body
will consider him served right, and his military
spirit will be effec. ualy discouraged by the dis
leOvery that he cannot whip even an antagonist
whom he has carefully chosen with view to an
easy conquest New York Times.
HALF a dozen ears of early corn will bring
more money in New York than a bushel OF
shelled corn in Kansas, and an acre of firstcrop
peas Is worth as much as twenty acres of wheat
in Minnesota. But the workingman does not
improve his chance to make such crops and
bring up his family in the open air. Some of his
class are annually breaking away from tenement
houses and establishing themselves farms;
New York to comfort in the couDtry.-New York
Herald.
THE public protection requires public inter
have in its dealings with the railroads. The fact
that men comparatively SO powerful as the mer-
chants have found it necessary TO combine only
accentuates the general need of the uncOmbined
masses for protection. The great need of the
country to-day Is for class of public men whose
convictions of public duty and whose public
sympathies are SO keen that they will do for the
common veal what these merchants have done
for themselves. Chicago Tribune
IT is true the negroes are densely ignorant
and are largely without any schooling. But it
Is perfectly certain they cannot receive educa-
ton at once, ana it is equally certain that if
they could ii would destroy whatever reliability
and system there are in the industrial relations
come to these people new and better modes
of life come TO them The desire must be
awakened in them to seek an education, and to
at least liz part pay for 1t before 1t can be ex-
pected to be useful and valuable to them.-St.
Louis Republican.