The Washington critic., 1888-03-23
THE AMERICAN FLAG.


suitable standard. bearer for the American
party in the coming Presidential contest
lie ia for the old nag and all II represents.
II. R.M.
Several reasons stand in the way of
Mr.. Hewitt's candidacy the chief of
which appears to be that he has no
aspirations for it. He certainly
doesn't act like a man who is log
rolling. or wire-pulling for a nomina-
tion from any quarter.
Whether the American party, as it
is called, has distinctive political
organization and proposes to put
National ticket in the field, we are
unable to state; but Mr.. Hewitt could
not well become it's standard-bearer,
because he is an ingrained Democrat
and unalterably identified with the
party now in power in New York and
Washington.
AS our correspondent suggests, he is
"thorough-going American" but
not to the extent Of coveting the
empty honor of nomination that
could not carry a solitary electoral
vote. Besides, his Americanism is
not of partisan or prosoriptive char
acter. 1t is patriotism pure and sim
pie that, while recognizing the prin-
ciple of America for Americans, rec
ognizes the further principle that all
are Americans who obey the laws of
their country and stand by its institu-
tions like good and loyal citizens.
The Mayors faith in the inviola-
bility Of the old flag, as shown in the
late City Hall episode, amounts to a
passion; hut the position he assumed
is not in the slightest degree antago-
nistic to the rights or immunities Of
the foreign born, and cannot be i'm
puted to bigotry or prejudice. Closely
and candidly analysed, it will be seen
10 embody sentiment of justice and
pride Of nationality which every
American citizen, no matter what his
place of birth, ought to be proud to
share with him.
In the special message to the Board
of Aldermen, explanatory of his ac-
tion in refusing to allow the Irish flag
to be floated from over the City Hall
on st. Patrick's Day, Mayor Hewitt
clearly shows that he was animated
by no feeling of hostility towards the
celebrants of that occasion, religiously,
politically or otherwise. He had
already established precedent in the
case of the German, French, Italian
and British flags, barring them all out
from similar privileges, and he could
not consistently OF fairly depart from
it, without exhibiting undue favorit-
ism and giving just offense.
He takes the broad ground, more
over, that, as the flag is ''the symbol
of sovereignty" and our public build
ings are peculiarly the "home of that
sovereignty" only one jurisdiction
can be recognized, and the display of
foreign flags from such edifces would
be in direct contravention of the
principle of "home rule"
Intelligent Irishmen, as well as in
telligent citizens Of all nationalities,
will have to admit that the Mayor
has the best of the argument, and
that foreign flag floating from the
City Hall of New York would be as
much out of place as if floating from
the National Capitol of the United
States.
His position is also devoid of any
trace OF unfriendliness. 1t canno.
disturb in the least the kindly re
lations that exist between the United
States and the Emerald Isle. 1t puts
no restraint upon our sympathy with
the Irish cause.
1t simply asserts for America what
in due course of time we all trust Ire
land may be able to assert for herself
1t is of the essence Of genuine
Americanism, not of the kind per.
haps that would be required in the
Presidential candidate Of the Amerl
can party, but such as would com
mand the approving suffrages Of true
Americans of all parties and nativi
ties, were Mr. Hewitt the candidate
and the American flag the issue.
p. n. BARNUM says he would like t
be Vice-President of the United
States, and if the great Snowman viii
only turn his circus loose in the coun
try districts and open the tent flal
free to all comers, he can have it.
m,. Co. Au,,, Dn,f.rt tptr,,ts