The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-06
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS
ON THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
PRESIDENT HARRISON.
The New York World Calls the Atten-
ton of the New Chief Executive
to the Election Corruption at the
North.

New York, March 5.--0i the inaugural
address the World DEM says: ''Presi-
dent Harrison, while rejecting altogether
thesuggestion OF a special Executive policy
Tor any section OF our country, neverthe-
less has a hundred pointed words TO say OF
the alleged denial OF the right Of voting to
negroes at the South, 10 one word Of feeble
reference TO the corruption OF the suffrage
at the North. President Harrison's utter
ances upon civil service reform are little
more than admonition 10 the spoils seekers
to be patient. There is nothing in the
Presidents words that can be twisted, by
even the most sanguine reiormer, into an
Endorsement OF the fundamental principles
OF this reform. Indeed, Office seeking is
commended, and the intimation is plainly
conveyed that party services constitute q
valid claim to reward. The Presidents
attitude toward the tariff is, in brief,
to keep up the war rate and
to use its undoubted advantages
TO its rich beneficiaries as means OF cap
turing some Of the Southern States. There
is not in the address one earnest word in
favor Of stopping the surplus by reducing
taxation. "Wastefulness, profiigacy or
fayoritism in public expenditure" is de-
nounced. But the President plainly init
mates his belief that there Is no special
need OF cutting down the revenues. Sur
plus spending is evidently to be the policy
OF the new Administration. The outline
OF foreign policy is perhaps the most sat
isfactory passage in the Presidents adj
dress. II is bold without buster and calm
without cringing. The reference to Amer
lean rights in Samoa is especially admira.
bile. Ii President Harrison can hold Mr..
Blaine to the line which he has laid down
in his address, he will DO mis- country a
great service and prove himself strong
man."
The Sun (Democrat) say% Gen. Ilar-
rison's inaugural address speaks well for
him. IL is a modest, sensibly conceived
and excellently written essay on the state
of the Union. II contains no surprise, nc
novelty ofpolitical philosophy, no startling
announcement OF administrative policy.
The substance OF nearly everything Gen.
Harrison says on every subject he touches
could have been predicted six weeks ACC
|
student OF contemporary politics. III any
foolish friend OF the new Administration
has expected that yesterday would be
chosen for the sudden unmasking OF q
powerful and original individuality moi
heretofore expected to exist, he will be
disappointed. II any projudiccd enemy
has hoped that the inaugural speech would
be the disclosure Of mental feebleness,
| tfIigulnta t.ntnpo aud oanaral fuaat,a.
potency 10 handle the reins OF Gov.
eminent, he likewise will be disappointed
and even more than the other fellow
Good taste, good judgment and a very
shrewd sense OF what IL is better 20 leave
unsaid at present, characterized the docu
ment. II skirts the edges OF tho too OBJ
viously true without crossing over. There
Is not n proconsul in IL, nor any sign OF Q
slaughtered Roman. II repeats generally
accepted maxims and principles without
cant or assumption OF superior knowledge
II gives the Impression OF a reserve oI
power. II il moderately rhetorical with.
out bumcombe. There Is nowhere In the
lines or behind the lines the slightest
trace OF that offensive egotism, that air o
discovering truths which proyokes hostil
ity at sight, like a sanctimoniOus, and al
the same time, prctentious face. We arr
free TO confess that this is an encouraging
circumstance. The country has still
To learn Just what sort Of q mar
President Harrison is, but the address
which will be so widely read this mornin.
In every part OF the Republic proves verl
clearly what sort OF a man he Is not. III
Is not wcakling or n fraud. All Of tn
inde6nable qualities which In literary pro
ductons, Ms In personal bearing attract o.
rcpel without a1ording any explanation
OF their effect upon the observer, count Il
this address In Gen. Harrison's favor. no
against him. and we think that candi,
Democrats will be rs quick a. enthusiast
Republicans 10 recognize that fact"
The comments OF the other New Yorl
papers were given in these dispatches las
night.