Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-05-09
Impressions or an Iconoclast.
MOUNTAIN TOP, May ith, 1885

Impressions OF an Iconoclast.
MOUNTAIN TOP, May 4th, 1885.
On two points am apprehensiye that
President Cleveland's administration viii
be weak. / do not use the word "appre-
hensiyer in its most obvious and literal
sense; for, as Republican of the old sect,
would like to see rejuvenated, simon
pure Republican party, defeat the Demo-
cratic party in 1888, and for that reason
would be willing to see the present Admin
istration make such plumbers as would con-
tribute to that end. That is my frame of
mind as a party man. But beyond and
above that hope l am a patriot, and as
such would like to see President Cleve-
land do the right thing in all Instances, rs
he is doing it in so many. But am appre-
hensive.
Soon after or just about the time of his
inauguration Mr.. Cleveland said in CON-
yersation with one of the leading Demo-
cratic statesmen of the country, in speak
ing of foreign affairs, that "if the Demo-
cratic party should succeed in cleaning out
Republican cOrruptionists and reforming
abuses in the administration of the govern
ment, which abuses had sprung up under
the rule of the Republicans, he felt assur-
ed that the country would not expect any
thing more; and that if he sent good men
to represent us abroad, the country would
ask nothing more of him in the way of a
foreign policy"-or words to that effect.
Without stopping to discuss the question
of his lack Of success, so far, In finding evil
dences of Republican corruption which he
seemed TO think were ssto be had for the
enough to say, that don't believe he wiil
find any proof of great money populations
on the part of Republican Office-holders,
while he mag find that other abuses exist
ed, permit me to give some reasons why
think he has failed to comprehend the de-
mands of the hour as regards foreign pol
icy. In discussing the question want to
say first that dc not believe in unnecessa-
ry entangling alliances with other govern
ments, and do believe that the great Re-
public should use her influence in man.
ly and righteous way for the promotion of
the harmony and happiness Of all the men,
bers of the great family of Nations, in
which the Republic is conspicuous and
powerful.
1 once lived in a community cursed with
an old hunk of a rich man, who, while he
kept his own family in ease and comfort,
was never known to doa kindly thing for
a neighbor. He was charitable neither pub
licly nor privately. He opposed the rail-
ways that sought to come through the town
because he feared that their coming would
increase his taxes; He would not contrib
ute to the sum to be presented to the ma
chine shops to induce them to locate in the
village and pay out their thousands Of dol
lers in wages every month to benefit the
trade Of the place. He had his money in
bonds and mortgages and he didn't care a
picayune whether trade fiourished or not.
When his impecunious neighbours house
burned he was in great excitement till he
found out that his own house was in no
danger, and then he stood afar off and
said that Smith ought to have known better
than to use oil-gas cost little more but
was much cheaper-but he did not raise
hand to help put out the fire or rescue poor
Smiths furniture from the blaze. After
the fire however, he sent word to Smith
that he had carload of good, dry lumber
which he had taken on bad debt, which
Smith could have at regular market rates,
if he would secure the amount at 10 per
cent by a mortgage on his let and the house
he would build with the lumber. He grum-
bled when he paid his schOOl-taX-his chill
dren were educated at the "pay SCHOOL,
and when he was asked to contribute to buy
better engine for the volunteer fire COM
pany he refused with much swinish pro-
family. In short he was of no earthly use
to the community, but, on the contrary
was positive load upon its shoulders.
Now piously that mans funeral was pray
ed for! And how we thanked Heaven when
it came!
No n a,t Dnnnh1ir &c fnl
erful, with "a great mission to perform in
the way Of leading the peoples OF the earth,
up into the higher state of intelligent self
government. Whatever might have been
the necessity upon her an hundred years
ago, when her bones were soft and she had
not yet learned to use her senses and MEM
bers-whatever, l say, may have been the
necessity upon her in her infancy not to
engage in any effort for the good Of her
neighbors too great for her feeble strength,
the conditions have so changed, in my
humble Judgment, that it has become not
only her privilege in the exercise of wise
discretion for herself, but her bounden duty
as the trustee of Gods purposes in the
government OF mankind, to take an active
interest in the affairs of the community to
which she belOngs--the community of Ma
tons. If the young and struggling gov
ernments heed her counsels in their per-
plexities. she ought to give it them; if the
weak need her aid against the oppressor
and despoiler, she ought to spring to theil
relief, assured that in helping the unfortu-
nate she is making use of her great strength
for what it was intended. In proportion
that a man or a Nation is blessed with
means or muscle, in just that proportion
is the requirement that that man or Ma
ton shall use their resources for the good
of those who need help, after home into
rests have been properly served.
But whether President Cleveland intends
to take liberal view of this matter or not,
we cannot escape the necessity Of decid-
ing, and that very soon,upon foreign pol.
icy. We have exhausted our home re-
sources in the way of trade. For awhile
we got along very well swapping our sur
plus products among ourselves; but we
have got to producing more than we can
find a market for among ourselves; or, as
matters now stand, anywhere else. For