Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1889-03-08
iJortG obacro Glmes
PORT TOBACCO


Friday Morning....-., March 9Th, 1889.
A Review OF the Presidents Inaugural.
While we cheerfullv accord to the
inaugural address the fullest measure
of praise it is entitled to receive, we
are certainly not prepared to swallow
the silly gush with which it has been
greeted among few republican effu-
sionists. To say that it ranks with
1.-The ablest of American state papers,"
or that it is ga powerful and memora-
BILE paper" is simply to make 1t ridicu-
lous, for every candid and intelligent
man knows that there is nothing es-
pecislly memorable or powerful about
it, but that, on the contrary, it is
chiefly conspicuous because of its rath.
er negative tone. There is absolutely
nothing new in its deliverance upon
any question of Importance, but it is a
calm, temperate statement Of perfect
ly well-known republican theories
upon some subjects, and upon others
could just as we'll have been delivered
by the outgoing President had he been
reelected. Let us briefly review some
of its more salient points and ascer-
tain, if we can, what constitutes its
exceptional ability. The President
aptly enough contrasts the close Of the
first century with its beginning, and
takes a rapid survey of the general
changes in our condition, but surely
it does not require an unusual degree
of genius to sum up as he does our
present advantages, for he simply says
that .'on the whole the opportunities
offered to the individual to secure the
comforts of life are largely better than
they were one hundred years ago.
The President then proceeded to dis
cuss the protective system" We heard
so much about daring the campaign.
As this was the great issue upon
which the contending hosts "locked
horns" it was to be expected that
here, at least, something able, if not
memorable and powerful" would be
said And yet it is very common
place reproduction of what was repeat
ed over and over again during the
canvass The fact is it does not
strengthen the Presidents argument,
if it may be SO called, in favor Of pro-
lection to refer as he does to the
ground upon which it was introduced
at the beginning of the century. He
tell us what is scertainly trne-that in
tt0Sg ddys tie attention of the young
republic was directed to the duty of
defending its independence by making
it's people self dependent. Hence"
he saws, "societies for the promotion
of home manufactures and for encour-
aging the use of domestic goods were
organized" &C., but what has all this
to do with our condition to day? If
Mr.. Harrison pleases, sit is a condi-
tiou and not theory that confronts
US now," and he clings to the theory
without the slightest regard to the
condition. What, then, is the signif-
canoe of his much-vaunted phrase. at
is not departure, but return that
We have witnessed" A return to what?
Certainly not to the condition which
required the organization of societies
to wear home-spun. Certainly not to
the condition Mr.. Clay spoke of as the
basis of the protective system. to wit,
to build up infant industries and
make our people self-sustaining in
event of conflict with other nations.
Mr.. Harrison, however, finds tariff
OF AZ per cent. necessary now that all
this is accomplished, whereas it re-
quired but IL to Is per cent. in the
early days spoken Of. In the last veto
message to which President Cleveland
set his hand he repeats. ga more de-
slrable plan to reduce and prevent the
recurrence of large surplus can easi-
~ be adopted-one that, instead of
creating injustice and inequality. pro-
notes justice and equality by leaving
in the hands of the reople and for their
use the money not needed by the gov
ernment." The people" have chosen
otherwise-whether wisely or not re-
mains to be seen. Again, President
Harrison's observations upon civil
service reform do not indicate any re.
markable enthusiasm in it's behalf, f,and
certainly mark out a course by no
means singular for its originality or
ability. Indeed, it is very difficult to
tell precisely what he means, and it
is very questionable if he has any de-
finite or fixed views upon the subject.
To say that "party service is not to
operate as disqualification for pub
lice office, but will not be allowed to
serve as a shield ofoficial negligence"
sounds very we'll, but it doesn't mean
much for the cause of civil-service re-
form, and it is evident that the Presi-
dent, like Jack Bunsby, Can 60 on
delivering such opinions all night, for
he Winda nm the hrief refe erer ce To fha