Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-25
THAT MESSAGE.


The able message Of President Cleve-
land which burst like bombshell in
the camp OF the Republican Senate on
Tuesday and made the Republican ma
jority Of that body exhibit temper that
was puerile, to say the least of it, is an
able and patriotic paper. We give be-
low the expressions ii has elected from
public men and journals both friendly
and inimical to the Administration:
Pluck AND DIGNITY.
New York World, Ipdepepaen, Democrat,
BY this message the President has CON-
pletely circumyentedthe Republican par
fisans of the Senate. stio has taken from
the Republican politicians the power to
arouse New England and the country
generally with tho cry that the Admins
fration is lacking in pluck and dignity
and that 1t is not equal to maintaining
she rights OF citizens The President, IN
discussing the questions involved, shows
great familiarity with the subject in all
Its phases. In the absence OF a treaty
he Is justified in calling for these mea-
surcs Of retaliation.
"wrsE, CAUTIOUS, CONSERVATIVE.
New York Herald. independently
Mr.. Cleveland simply tells the country
in his message that we are all at sea, at
SKIES and seyens. at loggerheads with
Canada, and as retaliation IS the only
possible policy of the immediate future
he asks further authority from Congress.
He proposes TO protect the fishing in
terests on our coasts-if the Republicans
yfli allow him to do so-by annuiiinRthe
railroad privileges of the Canadians
through our territory unless they cease
their wretched petty persecution. NO
transit for MS, no transit for them-that
is the rule to be adopted. If they re-
fuse TO allow our catch of fish to come
from their ports in bond. then they must
not hope to run their goods to or from
our ports free Of duty.
The President in asking for authority
10 enforce retaliation simply maintains
the self-respect of the nation. That he
will be wise, cautious, conservative, no
one doubts. That he will do bis utmost
TO maintain amicable relations is shown
by the whole course Of his administra-
ton.
PATRIOTIC AND BROAD-M1NDED.
New York Time, Independent Republican,
The Presidents message to Congress
on the subject OF retaliation against
Canada is a striking illustration OF his
happy faculty Of doing the right thing
at the right time and in the night way.
He does not hesitate TO characterize the
past conduct Of Canada in the treatment
OF our fishing vessels in terms of digpi-
fed severity, while reiterating his con-
viction that it was his duty to attempt q
settlement Of all difficulties by peaceful
negotiation. He also adheres firmly to
the opinion that the rejected treaty pro-
vided adequately for the situation with
out any sacrifice of our national pride or
dignity, but he stoops to no criticism OF
the Senate for failing to accept 1t, merely
aIludingto the fact that its action indl-
Gated an intention that no negotiation
should at presen: be concluded touching
the matter at issue.
Its tone is firm and aggressive, but at
the same time characterized by dignity
and a high sense OF justice. The Presl-
dents patriotic and broad-minded course
is in brilliant contrast with the narrow
and petty partisanship OF the majority of
the Senate. All the capital that is to be
made out OF this controversy Is likely to
belong to him, and he Will win in it in
his customary way by firm and high
minded adherence to his sense OF public
duty.
"a TARDY TRIBUTE TO OPPOSING POLICY.
Now York Tribune, Republican,
His message to Congress on the situs-
ton left by the Senates rejection OF his
treaty is nothing else than tardy tri-
butte to the policy which he has been OPP
posing and seeking TO defeat by the COM
promise of our unquestioned rights and
indifference to our undoubted wrongs.
Mr.. Cleveland has, after three years Of
doubt, made up his mind that "a Gov
eminent does but half its duty when it
protects its citizens at home which his
Government, we are bound parentheti-
cally 10 observe, has not done at all
"and permits them to be imposed upon
and Inundated abroad. At last the
President has come to this conclusion,
and he considers this good time, when
his course i'll suffering such impositicns
and humiliations is about to be passed
upon at the ballot-box, to publish his
new and revised opinion. He has not
been q moment too soon, that's certain ;
and he will ascertain, We think, that he
is lust the least bit too late.
"HR WILL RErALIATE.
philadelphia Press. Republican,
Let John Bull and Canada beware.
Grover is not afraid one bit-not he. Ii
they don't let us alone he will retaliate-
yes. he will. And he proceeds to show
what nobody seems to have disputed,
especially since the act of 1880 that he
is fully authorized to retaliate. But he
wants authority to retaiiate even more.
BOLD, PATRIOTIC DEMAND.
philadelphia Tmes. Democrat
The temperate but emphatic mes
sage sent to Congress by President Cleve-
land yesterday on the fishery dispute
will awaken universal interest in the
question, and the full, concise, and dis
pdSslOuebc l1toShthtAOh Va thtO ioouC W
the Executive will dwarf craftsmanship in
popular discussion and summon the
nation 10 the standard of craftsmanship
in treating great international contro-
versies. 1t is call upon Congress that
no patriot will wish to disregard, and
that no dwelling partisan will dare TO
eyade.
II is recorded 10 the discredit of the
Senate that it deliberately sacrificed
great interests Of American trade and
important rights of.American citizens by
refusing to accept any treaty adjustment
Of the fishery dispute. Not only did the
Senate reject by q strict party vote a
treaty that would have remedied all just
complaints, but by the same party vote
it refused even to allow the treaty to be
open to amendment to meet real or pre-
tended objections. 1t was purely par
tisan prostitution OF grave international
dispute 70 meet the urgent political ne
cessities OF o national campaign, and it
seems to have been done in ignorance OF
both existing and expired treaty stipula-
lions