The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-02-11
Current Events.

Bismarck made his greet speech 10 the
German Parliament on Monday last-.he
speech Europe had waited for so anXiously
II was well considered able, and pacific
Though made in the interest Of the bill for
loan 70 increase the size and equipment
# the army, 1t was clearly a speech an.
nouncing peace, In reviewing the situa
tion In Europe, he said that France had
elected peace-loving president and there
WAS no prospect of war In that quarter, eX-
Cept in case of war with Russia. In that
direction he saw no danger either he "be-
ieyed the word of the Gar absolutely, ~
implying an understanding with that auto.
crat. All he saw in the movement of troops
~ the western frontier of Russia, was the
intention of that power to make itself felt
when the next European crisis should oc.
cur or to be ready to act promptly and with
Eject In the event Of any turn in the East,
-rn question" Wars are not waged from
mere hatred or for tribes; but German
strength will reassure public opinion, and
that is the object of the army loan bill and
with million of men on either frontier
and the reserves at home Bismarck expects
~ compel a peace. This is all very fine
but an American will find difficulty In I'M
Outstanding the wherefore of these vast
ornaments, every year growing larger, II
they only mean peace. How much OF the
oppression Of army service and army taxes
in Europe may be charged to Bismarck
himself history will one day determine,
tr under him Germany, and France AS
WE'LL to less degree, has become great
military camp. And one can well exclaim,
how can continental prosper and her
people rest contented and happy with
such burdens laid upon them? And Is
there no other way, in this humane XlNth
century, for nations to maintain peace with
each other than by the mere force of over
aving brute force?
The British Parliament opened on Thurs
day last. The speech of the Queen Is I'M
interesting to Americans, except that part
relating TO Ireland in which II is said that
the measures for the benefit of Ireland
have been carefully carried into effect dur.
ing the period since elapsed. The result
If this legislation so far as tested by this
short experience Is satisfactory. Agrarian
crime has diminished and power of coer-
five conspiracies has sensibly abated- -
Measures tending to develop the resources
Of Ireland and to facilitate an increase In
the number of proprietors of the soil will
be laid before you" This would sound
somewhat like n joke If 1t we're not 80 ter.
rible joke. The imprisonment of nearly
100 persons, Of all degrees, for attending
meetings for the benefit of Ireland, may be
satisfactory" to the government" but 1t
has not raised X In the estimation of the
world. Bearing in mind this expression of
satisfaction aud past history, one may De
curious 10 know what the next measures to
develop the resources of Ireland" will be.
The New York Herad on Tuesday gave
the Sheridan boom quite "send- off" In
its editorial columns, Repeating the trite
but quite sensible remark that ut Is a mis-
take la politics to look at things rs we
would like 10 have them land not as they
are and expressing the conviction that
II would be well for the country If Mr.
Cleveland were re- elected" II sees In the
Sheridan boom "a double element of un.
certainty In the canvass. 1t makes Blaine's
nomination ineYpedient and doubtful" and
even, the Herald thinks, renders Mr.
Cleveland's re election "a question" Sheri-
dane career Is then briefly reviewed. Bril-
liant and glorious az q soldier II most az
suredly was. But the Herdlds inference
of Sheridan's strength Is based on the de-
feat of John Quincy Adams by Jackson.
Cleveland" says the Herald, "is a great
civil magistrate, but he is no greater than
John Quincy Adams. And Jackson, who
defeated Adams after four years of
mstchless administration, had no stronger
hold on the people than Sheridan" The
parallel is not one likely to alarm the
friends OF Mr.. Cleveland The times are
changed since 1928. The men themselves
are different; and there is none Of that
nero sentiment OF bargain and corrup
ton" to aid Sheridan which was 30 potent
a factor for Jackson In 1923. The election
of 1884 and Cleveland administration have
wrought great changes, even In the past
four years. Business interests now have
more weight than they did half century,