The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-07-09

OUhING the HANCOCK. GarneId cam
paipn the Republican press exhausted
Itself in idiotic cachinations over Gen.
Hancock's famous assertion, that the
tariff is question of flocalinterest only,
affecting to be greatly amused at the
statement and seiZing hold of his
words as God sent text from which
to preach fresh political sermons con-
cerning Democratic ignorance, &C. sc.
These eame papers are now enthusias-
tically patting Mr.. Blaine on the back
because of his reciprocity position with
reference to the South American
States. and applauding his free trade
sentiments. They are now ear nestly
demanding free trade with these States
and have expressed themselves on
every phase of the Secretary's position,
heartily endorsing his views. The
Philadelphia Evening Telegraph, after
saying that Mr.. Blaine is free trader,
not mere tariff reformer. but radical
free trader, SO far as the Southern
and Central American Republics are
involved, enquiries, "And who shall
say he is not right? The tariff is a
business, and not political affair; it
is a LEGAL, not general matter. !"
Democrats, note all these things, and
see by comparative examinations
which party is consistent, and which
has the courage to abide by lit decia
ratiops.
[From Harpers' Weekly, July 5th.
The Pennsylvania Republican
Convention!
THE action of the Republican
Convention of Pennsylvania is the
most extraordinary action upon rec
ord of an intelligent body of Amer
lean freemen. Mr.. Quay is accused by
some of the most reputable journals in
the country, and the accusation is
trenchantly urged upon the country
by one of the most eminent citizens of
Pennsylvania as imperatively de
mandiDg an explanation, of criminally
tampering with the public money
while State officer. The charges are
made in detail. Figures and names
and circumstances are plainly men
toned. Mr.. Quay is invited and defied
to sue for libel he is taunted in terms
as thief. No honorable public man
in our history, not Washington him
self, would have allowed such charges
SO made to pass absolutely unhoticed
When 8 whisper of suspicion of offi-
cial malfeasance was breathed against
Alexander Hamilton, then Secretary
of the Treasury. he met 1T instantly
and s;lenced it forever, but at an un.
speakable cost of private feeling.
There is no doubt whatever that by
an immense number of his fellow cit
izens, including very large part of
members of his own party, the charges
are believed as they are made. Ifun
founded, nothing could be easier than
to disprove them. and to bring the Ii
bellous papers to exemplary punish
ment; amid the general applause of the
country. But Mr. Quay preserves an
unbroken silence, and the Republicans
of Pennsylvania. in their Convention,
with entire III animity ana without
debate, declare their lasting gratitude,
respect and confidence for him as q
citizen and public officer, specifying
particularly his service in the offices
in which his dishonesty is alleged.
This abject abasement of a Conven-
ton to man under such circumstanc
es is entirely without precedent. 1t
asks and receives no explanation, and
does the will of party leader as pass
lively and ignobly as Siamese courtier
crawls upon his stomach towards his
King. The declarations of such body
upon public questions are OF no inn
portaDee whatever, because if MIR.
Quay, under existing circumstances,
is its type of public officer to be
trusted and applauded, it is Indifferent
to honest government