The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-09-13
affairs, but did not know their numerous
forms nor the tenacity of their grasp"
Volumes would hardly exhaust the testi

affairs, but did not know their numerous
forms nor the tenacity 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 it should have been rejected!
An old, long standing cause Of quarrel, so
difficult OF satisfactory adjustment that
when the treaty of independence was
framed it was passed by untouched lest it
should wreck negotiations: which was but
half settled by the treaty Of 1878; which
has been q continual bone of snarling and
contention ever since: which the Repub-
lican commissioners so dealt with in the
treaty OF Washington as to lnfiict 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 I 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 at least to ex-
ercise the Senate's constitutional preroga-
tive to "advise" the President IL at first
they could not consent. Not 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 cavil 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 50 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 il the Senate had
ratified il. 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
righ.fully 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, suffices to show
that the entire fish catch Of . year is but q
triac in comparison with the volume oi
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 q means
to press most severely upon our unfriendly
neighbors with the least resulting harm at
home, are they still to continue to be led
by their party autocrats of New England
and needlessly sacrifice the West!
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 US 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 OF 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 i;
is but just that the burden should be
heaviest where all the benefit is to be en-
joyed. The Northwest will, indeed, never
set its interests before the honor Of the
NnA &c 81, 20,
shall arrive, il ever-and may Heaven
avert its coming-this loyal region, ever
faithful to the Union, will cry to the Ma
tioa's head: .Strike, strike, and spare
not; our country first and foreverv'
But why should oar Senators have re
fused postponcmcnt Of the treaty's consid
Grafton until election fevcrs cooled! Why
now refuse the keenest weapon Of cffectivs
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 fisher,
trade, "put the embargo on Canadian
fshr' That is, indeed, the policy of latter
day Republicanism. Fut the honor Of tn,
country to the use of favored pockets
"Retaliate, indeed, but just enough to le
us make our countrymen pay us more f0
fish, Not so does the President deal will
/ National honor. Ii it is wronged, tn,
wrong is deep and grievous, and the rem
| edy shall be potential and the redress
| ample. Is he right, fellow -citizenss
Such is the Republican party; no longer
vitalized by National purpose, but decay
ing to dissolution, mere obstruction Il
National progress. What new measure
what new policy does it offer to the people
Do they see no evils pressing harmful,
upon the laborers of the country and re
tarding the growth Of our prosperity
What redress do they proposei Can yo,
name any new measure suggested even il
that instrument Of specious profession
their platform. Yes, they make two pro
posals, both in the same interest and pre-
cminently characteristic. Realizing tn
enormous overburden of unnecessary tax
alton, now that economy and care hav
again made the postal service self-sustain
| ing, they would strike OF one half the rev
enue from letter-pcstage in order that tn
cost of that service may fall on custom
duties; and they would repeal the tax o.
whisky in the interest of morality, tha
their friends may continue to extort
4 tribute on the necessaries Of life. This |
the suInHd ratio OF their StateSmanSnlp!- !
the preservation Of class legislation an
the obstruction Of measures for the popula
good.
In the largon of political prophets Of evi
no subject was more fruitful Of horror tina
that of pensions to our soldiers. The Gov
ernment of Democracy, it was loudly prt
claimed, would be rebel Government
and the mained and glorious heroes of ou
war would be its victims. The pensio
roll would be ruthlessly invaded and tn
succoring bounty Of the Nation to its bray
men in necessity was to be dried up. Sc
what it is for one class of men to thin
they contain all the patriotism. all tn
sentiment, all the manhood. How over
whelming has been the demonstration o
this effrontery. Contrast, in few word.
the official figures Of the doings Of the las
three years of Republican Administratio
with the three years Of Democratic Az
min.stration. / mean the three year
ended June 30. 1855, with no larger fore,
nay, with smaller force Of clerks and a'
sistants, in the Democratic bureau, l9l 2
pension certificates issued during the Las
three years Of Republican rule; 359, IS
nearly double during the Democratic three
an excess in favor Of Democratic dill
gence and consideration Of 16S, 233 TIL