The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-08-21
CARLISLE ON REPUBLICANISM.
[From one Chicago Inter ocean.l

is bold, and he argues logically, and
he states his propositions clearly. If
his premises were sound his conclu-
sions would be unavoidable. But his
premises seldom are sound, and this
popularity is observable in his last con-
tribution to political literature, "The
Republican Programme, published in
the current number of the Forum.
Mr.. Carlisle takes his text from Sen
ator Morrill's defense of the past and
present policy of the Republican party,
which was printed in the July Forum.
Mr.. Morrill,, speaking of what he
termed "Some Perils in Front of the
Present Administration. defined them
as the "civil service law" "the silver
coinage question" and "the negro
problem" As to the first, of which
the Senator says that the country will
demand that it shall be administered
with greater fidelity by the Republican
than by the Democratic administra-
tion," Mr.. Carlisle denies that Harri-
sons administration is enforcing the
law with more fidelity than did Mr..
Cleveland's. As to the other two, sill
yer coinage and the negro problem,
Mr.. Carlisle complains that the Senat7r
suggests no definite plan of admins
tration. And then the Democratic
leader creates a certain financial policy
for the Republican party, and proceeds
to criticise it. The Republican party,
however, is not likely to accept tinan-
cial policy of Mr. Carlise's creation.
Mr.. Carlisle is unfortunate in chal-
longing comparison between Mr.. Har-
rison's and Mr.. Cleveland's adminstra-
ton of the civil-seryice law. Mr..
Cleveland spoke and wrote in favor of
it, and did little toward enforcing it /;
Mr. Harrison has said little and writ
ten less, but he has done great deal.
Even the Mugwumps, favorable as
they were to MIR. Cleveland, were COM
PEELED to make apologies for the wido
difference between his professions and
his doings, the hostility of the regular
Democ attic constituencies being as
signed for cause. And even the Mug
wumps, inimical as they were to the
candidacy of Mr.. Harrison, are con-
strained to admit that he has appoint
ed Civil-Service Commissioners who
are enforcing the law with impartial
rigor 1t long will be remembered
that, no far from seeking to make the
ciyil-service law a party weapon, Mr..
Harrison's Commissioners proceeded to
administer discipline first and fore
most upon a Republican postmaster,
and he of Mr.. Harrison's own city of
Indianapolis.
The first application of the civil
service law under Mr. Cleveland's adj
ministration was by way of Mr. Villas
secret circular" inviting the false
testimony of sneaks and spies against
Republican ofiice-holders. Mr. Cleve-
land administered the ciyil-seryice law
for the good of his party: Mr.. Harrison
administers 1t for the good OF the pub
lie service.
And if Senator Morrill, suggests no
definite plan Of administration" as to
the silver-coinage and negro problems,
it is because he knows that he is not
the administration: that was elected
by the country. The policy of the
party was set forth in the Chicago plat
form. and doubtless will be admins
tered by the President elected as rep
resentative OF its principles. But it is
worthy Of note that when Mr.. Carlisle as
sails the Republican administration
upon the assumption that it will "let
well enough Alone" as it is likely to
do, in the matter of a bi-metallic
standard, he, by implication at least,
makes himself and his brother Calhoun
lists advocates of a gold standard. And
we have a faint curiosity as to how the
Southern tier would enjoy q return to
| i II 10.
quences of less money in regulation
and higher prices for those imported
| goods" which Calhounists prefer to the
| products of home industry. The Re-
publican party is willing to stand as
champion of bi-metallic currency if
only Mr.. Carlisle's followers will sup
port him in his demand FOX the de-
monetization of silver.
AS to the negro problem, Mr.. Car
Isle twice repeats the visible untruth
that the Republican party depends
for success upon the negro vote" The
truth is that it did not carry single
State in which the negro vote has
either preponderance or balance of
power. The Republican party has sue
ceeded ever since 1875, in despite of
lHe negro vote, lJS HdbuTal any, DelnB
either largely suppressed or falsely
counted against il. And it is not true
that the party has no definite policy as
to this problem. 1t has the very def
mite policy of demanding free cleo
ton in all States of the nation upon
all matters appertaining to national
policy. And this not for party ends,
for it triumphs without the aid of the
negro vote, but in vindication of the
eternal truth, righteousness exalteth
nation, but sin is disgrace to any
people"
Mr.. Carlisle advances nothing new
as to revenue questions. He assumes
that the Republican party will reduce
revenue by increasing expenditures.
The Democratic party did increase ex-
penditures by S95, 1908, 053 during the
four years of its return to power, and
has left little to show for it. If the
Republican party does not do better
than this it will deserve defeat. Po-
litical prophecy is a dangerous trade,
but we will venture TO predict that il
the Republican party does increase ex-
penditure it will have an enlarged
| navy imurovod coaat dafanaaa protita