The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-09-15

had crept into the management OF public
affairs, but did not know their numerous
forms nor the tcnacity OF their grasp,
Volumes would hardly exhaust the testi-
mony which could be adduced to these
statements
What was the matter with the Fisheries
treaty that II should have been rejectedi
An old, long-standing cause of quarrel, so
difficult OF satisfactory adjustment that
when tho treaty Of independence was
framed 1t was passed by untouched lest 1t
should wreck negotiations; which was but
half-settled by the treaty of 1918; which
has been a continual bone of snarling and
contention ever since; which the Repub-
lican commissioners so dealt with in the
treaty Of Washington as to inflict National
injury, almost humiliation, upon us, and
which now threatens to interrupt our re-
lations, and, more by wounds Of feeling
than adequate substantial injury, to de-
stroy the privileges and prosperity of our
peace.
What was the matter, again say, with
the Fisheries treaty. Repeatedly Repub-
lican Senators were challenged to point
out what they wanted otherwise, what
provisions should be changed, what new
stipulation interposed for the advantage or
protection Of our people. Repeatedly they
were urged to present amendment or sug-
gestion Of amendment, and ut least to ex-
ercise the Senate's constitutional preroga-
tive to 'advise" the President If at first
they could not consent. Not a word would
they either offer or accept. They simply
stood to carp and cavil, striving to stir up
prejudice to the political disadvantage of
the President, now enshrined in the hearts
of the people. What, then, was the matter
with the Fisheries treaty. 1t Is an easy
answer. The truth need not be blinked.
Had the treaty gone into effect it would
have composed the differences between
this country, Great Britain and Canada
Carp at it and cavll at it as they may, they
know full well its practical operation
would have been such that, with dignity
and honor to the United States, the differ
ences that have disturbed us so long would
have disappeared. That was the objection.
The Secretary of State and his associates
made convention with England which
would have done an excellent service to
the people Of this country II the Senate had
ratified it. That was the matter with the
Fisheries treaty. And this is Republican
policy.
But it seems to me that we in the North
west must send another question to the
Senators chosen here, whom we may
rightfully ask to consider our interests A
moments glance at the map, moments
reckoning of our border business interests,
and the utility to Western farmers of
Canadian competition in transportation to
and from the sea. board sufices to show
that the entire fish catch of a year is but a
trifle in comparison with the volume of
our Western dealings to be injured by an
embargo on intercourse with Canada
Why, then, did Western Senators vote to
compel retaliation by embargo! And now,
when the President, carefully surveying
the various opportunities, seeks means
to press most severely upon our unfrendly
neighbors with the least resulting harm at
home, are they still to continue to be led
by their party autocrats of New England
and needlesslv sacrifice the Westa
Let the embargo fall first on the sup.
plies of Canada The object of it is to teach
that country the evil and the folly of
neighborly injustice, in the hope they will
cease infiicting it upon U.S. Effective
severity Is the essential of the lesson. The
President studies the situation and dis
Germs the way to administer the whole
some discipline. Shut off their supplies
through European importation and leave
the borders unharmed. 1t was the
blow that Grant, with military
sagacity, proposed when in the
Presidential chair. 1t promises
to do the work. True, it will fall
most heavily on Northern New England
But there, too. lies the entire interest
which has provoked the necessity, and it
is but just that the burden should be
heaviestwhere all the benefit is to be en-
joyed. The Northwest will, indeed, never
set its interests before the honor of the
Nation When the hour of that necessity
uha1l ar If
avert its coming-this loyal region, ever
faithful to the Union, will cry to the Ma
tion's head: "Strike, strike, and spare
not; our country first and forever!''
But why should oar Senators have re-
fused postponement of the treaty's consid-
Grafton until election fevers cooledl Why
now refuse the keenest weapon of effective
retaliationa Is their allegiance to ''the
uncrowned king' of the Republican party,
with his railroads and his trusts, para
mount to their duty to their Northwestern
countrymen!
"Oh," say some, inspired by the fishery
trade, "put the embargo on Canadian
fishr' That Is, indeed, the policy of latter
day Republicanism. Put the honor of the
country to the use of favored pockets! |!
Retaliate, indeed, but just enough to let
US make our countrymen pay us more for
fish" Not so does the President deal with
National honor. II it is wronged, the
wrong is deep and grievous, and the rem
edy shall be potential and the redress
ample. Is he right, fellow-citizensi
Such is the Republican party; no longer
vitalized by a National purpose, but decay
ing to dissolution, mere obstruction to
National progress. What new measure,
what new policy does it offer to the peoplea
Do they see no evils pressing harmfully
upon the laborers of the country and re-
tarding the growth of our prosperitya
What redress do they proposel Can you
name any new measure suggested even in
that instrument OF speciOus profession,
their platforml Yes, they make two pro-
posals, both in the same interest and pre-
eminently characteristic. Realizing the
enormous overburden of unnecessary tax
alton, now that economy and care have
again made the postal-service self-sustain-
ing. they would strike off one-half the rev.
enue from letter-postage in order that the
cost of that service may fall on customs
duties; and they would repeal the tax on
whisky in the interest of morality, that
their friends may continue to extort q
tribute on the necessaries of life. This is
the summa ratio of their craftsmanship -
the preservation of class legislation and
the obstruction Of measures for the popular
good.
In the largon Of political prophets Of evil
no subject was more fruitful OF horror than
that OF pensions to our soldiers. The Gov
ernment of Democracy, it was loudly pro-
claimed, would be rebel Government,
and the manned and glorious heroes of our
war wOuld no its victims The nensiOn