Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-31
FRIDAY. AUGUST 81, 1885
The Tnbune,s Surrender.

What did we allude TO yesterday when
we said that the New York Tribune, the
principal BLAINE organ in the United
States, had surrendered to President
CLEVELAND on the fisheries question
We will answer.
Bear IN mind that Mr.. EDMUEDs de-
clsred in his speech in the Senate, made
the day after the Presidents message was
read in that body, that tine President
already had all the power that he needed
in the premises, and could therefore pro-
ceed to resort to retaliatory measures If
he WAS really in earnest in his sugges-
tons in regard to such measures. Bear
in mind, moreover, that at Waterville
Mr.. BLAINE demanded the postponement
of the whole matter for year, in order,
rs he said. that a Republican Admiuistra-
ton might have the settling Of all the
questions grUwingout Of the fisheries dis
pute. Finally, bear in mind that tho
Republican organs, big and little, led
by the Tribune, were playing the same
tune that EDMUSDs and BLAINE had set
for them. With these facts in view,
read the following extracts from the
9Iri6sa4c of Wednesday. We quote first
q note Of preparation to surrender. The
New York organ says:
alt Is sometimes expedient TO let an
unreasonable President have his own
way"
The President is unreasonable %;
does not concur in opinion with BLAINE
or EDMUNDs or any other leading Re
publicans; nevertheless, he is such a
headstrong, self-willcd man that he must
not be angered. That is the ostensible
reason but the real reason is that the
President has the people at his back.
That it was q bitter pill for the Tribune
to swallow is proved by the following
language, intended to explain to the
faithful that BLAINE, EnafUNDs & Co.
were undoubtedly right in their conten-
tion that there was no need for the
Presidents message. Here is the ex-
plaGztion
"The retaliation act Of 1887 provides
efficient means for the protection OF
American commercial rights, and there
is, as Mr.. Blaine has shown IN his adj
nlirsbie speech, no necessity for inter
ruptine the transit OF imported mer-
chandise from Portland, Boston, and
New York 10 Canada The President is
not justified IN asking for larger powers
until be has exhausted those alresdy con-
ferred upon him; nor is it at all proba
Bile that he Is IN earnest in adyo-
eating retaliation, nor that his be-
lated expressions Of a determination
10 protect American citizens in their
rights mean anything more than
his canting phrases about civil service
reform. When these and other conces-
sions have been made, the fact remains
that the Belmont bill passed by the
House in 1857 contained provisions
which the President non considers g.
SerafiaL. The Senate bill, which was
eventually adopted as a substitute for it,
was for the immediate purpose safer
and wiser measure. But since the PTeSt-
dent has REQUIRED to the principles of
the other scheme, the Senate may ind
IL e1pedieRt to enlarge his po1cers IN
the manner suggested.
Oh, dear. Since "the President"
wishes il, it must be done. 1.-The Presi-
dent" considers essential certain provi-
sions in the BELMONT bill. 1.-THE Presi-
dent seems for the nonce to be ga big
ger man than sold" BLAINE or cold"
EDMUNDs.
Now comes the apology for surrender
ing to the President. The Tribune
says:
elf this be done bo 1.-THE PRESIDENT
will have no possible excuse for evading
his responsibilities hereafter. He has
abandoned his diplomatic policy and sur
rendered 10 Congress on the main ques-
ton OF retaliation. In a matter Of detail |
he prefers the original House scheme to
the Senate bill which became law. N
the Republicans iH each house OBJ |
sfruct the amendments TO the original |
measure Uey nil furnish him NTH a |
prets1t for indction. They will naturally |
hesitate before rejecting his recommenda-
tons, especially when he has humbled |
himself before them"
abandoned his diplomatic policy
Why it was the Senate that rejected |
the treaty and thus compelled him to
abandon diplomacy. "Humbled him
self before them" Well, that is good
very good--when read in connection
with tho sentence which We have put in
italics--as follows:
"If the Republicans in each House
obstruct the amendments to the original /
measure, they will furnish HII with a
pretsxt for ifaction."
HIM. All, be is too much for BLAINE
and EDMUsDs and the Tribune and the
whole Republican party. And so, hum
bled and defeated. the Tribune adds:
1--WE are inclined to believe that the
Republican leaders will be ready TO
waive their preferences for their own
measure and to allow the amendment
10 be grated upon il"
Was ever the like heard of? "The
Republican leaders" 10 "waive their
preferences in favor OF the Presidents
preferences. Kind, conciliatory leaders.
What change has come DER the spirit
Of their dream in the short space Of
week.
Mr.. ALLISON having said to Mr.. VANCE,