Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-24


other daily papers here added together.
1t Is one OF Mr.. Depew's many merits as a ready
talker that he can say hard things sometimes with
out giving ofTense. Last night this gift stood him
In good stead In administering rebuke to Mr.
Julian Hawthorne, who had Just been very witty
at the expense OF his countrys Institutions 1t
was at that rather ridiculous assembly, the Nine
teenth Century Club, and Mr.. Hawthorne was the
essayist OF the evening. His "paper' was on So
ciety and In the OF 1t he saw fit to say that
In England the raScals, defauterS and robbers
were consigned to the sunS, while in America tive
send them to Washington" This comes with spe-
ciA grace from man whose father was himself
one OF those corrupt beingS-a government officer
1t Is comforting to read that Mr.. Depew got after
the funny young man with a sharp stick. He ad-
mitted that he could not grasp fully the Hawthorn
can idea, but, he understood It. ft meant Gull
ture which eliminated the church and gave US In
its stead an individual. incomprehensible indie
pendent self-satisfying religion, which generates
within men themselves. Wen, ali right Bring I'D
boy to this idea, ana let him have no idea OF fear
or OF reward, and he will break your windows Kill
the dog, cut up the tablecloth and wind LID by cut
ting your own throat
Mr. Depew, in conclusion, defined society BY toll
Ing characteristic story lie said Re asked a.
member OF the Knickerbocker Club once which he
would prefer, TO be Washington n wellington a
tllllon ITO be invited to the cotillIon. Of course"
was the reply. at gets one into societyn No doubt
such young gentleman would regard Washington
as very vulgar place. only relieved here ard there
by lord or count representing some foreign land
that Is blessed with an established society"
England is having heriown troubles over tariff
theories, and the freetraders are noJin undsDuted
sway by any means A new element that now
enters into the political aspects of the question is
the enormous increase of voters samong the labor
Ing classes under the sufTrage-extens1on bill that
has just passed. parliament. 1t is thought that
these new voters will have IL in their power to
affect the governments policy on this subject very
materially. and on this account the leaders OF
opinion on both sides are industrously engaged in
distributing educational tracts to win the people
10 tneiriyiewS. just here. it may be noted, that
the broadening OF The suffrage has thus already re-
suited in benefits to the masses OF the people
The abstract questions involved in the discus
sion are, as it happens, enforced just now by a
practical Illustration which does not help the free
Trade cause The theory OF buying in the cheapest
market is very We'll so long as that Is the home
market, but otherwise 1t needs modification Thus
the government has decided TO largely increase the
navy, but now it appears to the great disgust of
the business interests concerned, that the ad-
mlralty is In negotiation with German and French
manufacturers for the heaviest contracts for ma
Il
the matter, and the iron manufacturers are not so
anxious for an increase OF the navy as they were,
1t has been iudicially decided in England that tn
Kill shipmate to avoid starvation does not come
within the plea of murder in selfdefence Such
construction or law is doubt lust but the case
under review appeals TO universal sympathy The
alternative, as 1t presented itself to the ship
wrecked crew OF the ''Mgnonette' was the death
oy starvation OF all or the sacrifice OF one Of their
number to the needs of the others. In this ex
tremity the law OF self representation prevailed and
murder was committed.
We may never know, and It Is better not to know,
Just how near parallel TO this frightful dilemma
confronted the Greedy expedition. Let the sea and
the ice cover their mysteries 1t Is not for weIfed
justices. "in fair round belly with good canon
lined, 10 judge too harshly the tOilers Of the sea
brought face 10 face with death In its most horrid
form.
The close Of this short December dav will hr,nr
US 10 another Christmas eve and thence to the
early carols and the happiness of the festival of
peace and good WILL There are some clouds OF
anxiety and distress that viii obscure the caveties
OF the day, for labor finds the time one of struggle
anu the future looks threatening to many But
this is not time to be downcasr or anxious. We
are to think Of our blessings and to let the petty
cares OF life be lifted for day at least from the
heart. Christmas is the chfldren's holiday. and we
can all enjoy 1t best by following the precept Of its
Author and, In freshness OF heart and in innocent
delight In life, becoming as little children.
Tnat peculiar growth OF CongreSS-the great
constitutional lawyer-may harass his souI and
pound the suffering air in defamation over the
violence done 70 the constitution by the truant
House; but when argument is exhausted the fact
remains that the House has won In the STRUGGLE
ana that the Senate must take 1t out in the inward
gov OF conscience at peace with its constitution
~ obligations There can be no doubt that the
House was guilty OF little bull-dozing both OF the
Senate and OF that patient and pliable instrument
the constitution; but In politics nothing succeeds
ukes success, and the House has succeeded
Tne Iaughter-loyfng world has met serious
loss In the destruction of Harrigan and Harris
new theater on Broadway. These merry comedians
whose genius for sport has fairly conquered New
YORK, had shaken themselves loose from vulgar as
sociatons, and established their quarters in the
heart OF the city, only to find themselves homeless
anu ruined In an hour 1t is TO be hoped that tbeir
spirit VIII rise with the emergency and that they
VIII yet retrieve their fortunes with new farces
that VIII strike the nations funny bone as pat as
did "The Mulligan Guards" "The Muddy Day. and
"SQuatter Sovereignty
SO the cracked old Liberty Bell, is To 90 IN New
orleans after all The local bourbons did their ut
o's W Aeep IL III us Sanctum at home In PhilaGel-
pha, Out fraternity got the better Of caution and
30 Tue OH Dell goes on It's travels and takes its
chances The sacred metal is to be guarded nv
thTee policemen detailed for the purpose as On
escort" who Will follow it from scene to scene
with jealous eye and stealthy tread, much as tine
three Hindoo priests, in WiIkie Collins novel OF the
Moonstone, follow that gem with tnexorabie ndel
tty from land TO land.
Thedeath is announced of Rev. Dr. William IJenrv
Cnannlng, a distinguished member OF one OF the
most famous OF American families Hewas nephew
OF the great" DR.. Claiming, but, like no fewer
imam three other near blood relatives he achieved