St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-04-05
THE LASKER MATTER.

Action of the House of Representatives.
Dignified Rebuke to the German Cham
cel1er-Congressmen Ocheltree and Deus
ter EuIogise the Dead Statesman.
WASHINGTON, D. c. March 10.
Mr.. Curtin from the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, submitted report on
the Presidents message and accompany
ing papers in relation to the death of DIR.
Lasker, in which the committee approved
the resolutions of January 9Th, and regret
that they were not received in the spirit
in which they were adopted. The report
also compliments the State Department
for its course in the matter, and submit
ted the following as substitute for His
cocks resolution:
ReSolged, That the resolutions referring
to the death of DR.. Lasker, adopted by
this House January 9th last, were intend
ed as tribute of respect to the memory
of an eminent foreign statesman who died
within the United States, and as an ex-
preston OF sympathy with the German
people, of whom he has been an honored
representative.
Res0l0ed, That House having no off,
cial concern with the relations between
the Executive and Legislative branches
of the German Government, does not
deem it requisite to its dignity to criticise
the manner of reception of the resolu-
tions or the circumstances preventing
them reaching their destination after they
had been communicated through
proper channel to the German Govern
ment.
Mr.. Reagan protested against any apol.
Ogy by the House for its action.
Mr.. Curtin demanded the previous
question, which was ordered.
Mr.. Ochiltree took the floor for the
fifteen minutes allowed to the opponents
of the resolution, and said that no man
on the floor had more confidence in or
esteem for the Committee ON Foreign
Affairs than himself; but this matter had
assumed a phase which called upon every
member to see his own dignity and the
dignity of the House maintained. It was
not becomingin the House to explain the
meaning The resolution spoke for itself.
An apology was unworthy the body. He
then went into an eulogy Of Lasker, say
ing the resolution was compliment to
Lasker but a rebuke to Bismarck.
Mr.. Deuster, of Wisconsin, followed in
set speech. He said: 81 sincerely re-
greet the hasty action of the German Chan
cellor in refusing to transmit the resolu-
ton Of coincidence of this House on the
death of Lasker merely, as it appears, on
account Of antipathy for departed polit-
ical adversary. He knows, as does every
sane person, that to place before the
Reichstag resolution Of the American
House of Representatives didn't in
any way imply the Endorsement
of sentiments therein expressed.
his Office, so far as the resolution was
concerned, was that of medium rather
than master. His assumption of the
latter was unfortunate only for himself
We can afford to cover the act with
the charity of forgetfulness. ITO err is
human, to forgive divine" we may say
with Pericles. We are liberal in our pub
lie administration. With regard to mu-
tual jealousy Of our daily pursuits,
we are not angry with our
if he does anything to
please himself, nor wear on
our countenance, offensive looks which |
though harmless are unpleasant. The |
Parliament and people of Germany are in |
possession of the letter and spirit of the
even though the parchment |
upon which it was engrossed becomes
moulded in the Chancellor's waste |
basket. The action of our State Depart
ment cannot be too highly commended. |
It was not only dignifed, but did not
oyerstep the bounds of international |
courtesy, while at the same time admin
istering rebuke to what is justly con-
sidered an unwarranted usurpatfon of
the rights and privileges of the German
Parliament and people.
Mr 7 7
some degree of pride, intimately acquaint-
ed with him whose death has given rise |
to this controversy. / was among the |
last persons with whom he conyersed, and
in Justice to his memory, I deem it |
my duty to make another statement. I /
have DIR. Lasker's word for it, that he had |
the highest regard for the German Chan
cellor both as man and statesman. They
differed only on one question, q question,
sir, upon which not only two political
parties upon this floor differ, but upon
which the members of eacha are not united.
Lasker was Free Trader This was his
only ohense. People uninitiated in German
politics have stigmatized him with Mill
ism, Socialism and nearly all other ttismsn
in the vocabulary, simply because he was
q Liberal and believed in opening the
marts of Germany to the competition of
5he world. It is not my purpose nor is this
The place to eulogize my friend, but in
my heart ] mourn his loss as man of
broad views, grand inspirations anda no
bic heart, who, as an American citizen,
would have achieved distinction as the
advocate and guardian of institutions
broad enough for his broad mind AS a
German he claimed the right to expand
beyond the boundaries of arbitrary pow
srs, and the result is seen to-day. The
were adopted.
-sp--
a Categorical Inquiry.
SPRINGkrkLD. Ill. March 21.