Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-27
THE FIGURE OF THE FEAST.

The Americas Club banquet last night
contained much significance in its oratory.
OF course there was the usual formal and
prescriptive lsudation of the Republican
party and the Republican clubs. But the
occasion developed a greater significance,
and indicated the important function which
can be performed by such occasions, in the
indications of policy and the prominence
given to an anticipated leadership, which
formed the salient feature of the occasion.
1t was not to be expected on such an occa-
sion that the disputes of State politics, or the
arraignments that have been made of State
leaders, would be permitted to intrude. That
would be belittling not only to the occasion,
but to those who introduce local and per-
sonsl questions, the signi feance and impor-
tance of the event laying its expressions and
forecasts Of national policy with strong in
timations as to the leadership of that policy.
On that question of national interest, the
full significance of the occasion appears
wnen we perceive how the enthusiasm, the
laudation and the oratory Of the banquet
centered about the policy cnd personality of
Thomas B. Reed.
No one will belittle Mr.. Reed. His bril-
lance as party leader lies in his aggres-
sivenesS. His force as a Congressional
quality is his power TO give and take hard
blows in debate. If the prominence as
signed to him last night put him into the
field as Presidential quantity he will be
recognized as a typical leader of that class
of Republicanism which knows nothing but
Republican supremacy with a somewhat
sublime disregard of the issues that have
arisen since the settlement Of those on which
the Republican party was founded. But
Mr.. Reed as a Presidential possibility must
be estimated by his present policy as well as
his personality; and OF the former a very
strong indication was given last night.
Mr.. Reed placed himself squarely on the
platform of Federal control of Federal
elections. The policy outlined by his
speech is an extension of Federal powers to
a degree attempted once before, but aban-
doned by Republican leaders fourteen years
ago because it was found to be impracticable
1t is significant of Mr.. Reeds character that
he somewhat frankly advocates this policy,
for the sake of that continued success" to
the Republican party which he declared to
be necessary. Had Mr.. Reed taken the op-
portunity to propose this enlargement of the
Federal powers while Democratic ad-
ministration was in power, his statement
of its value would have been much
more impressive. But it is the
salient feature of Mr.. Reeds
craftsmanship that his views of national
policy and even of constitutional questions,
are shaped by his estimate of the party ad-
vantage. His record as Speaker, which was
lauded last night, illustrates that pecu-
1iarity. The constitutional precedents which
Mr.. Dalzell rather indiscreetly declared
that he cast aside, were exactly those which
he asserted to be necessary as a safeguard Of
legislation when his party was in the mi
nority. His policy OF Federal control for
national elections is in the same tone 1t
proposes a marked change in political meth
DDS simply for the sake of maintaining par
tisan control of the House.
1t may be a recommendation for Presi-
dental boom to the partisan class, to propose
to legisla te Republican success; but it will
not do to rely on that class alone for support.
There is more hope for perpetuating the Re-
publican supremacy by appealing to the
Republicans who place public honesty, con-
stitutional government and the protection
of popular interest above mere partisanship,
Aggressive and forceiul as Mr., Reed is be
forms an interesting picture in our politics,
and the Amerlcus banquet has framed the
picture so as to bring out its striking points.
But Presidential canvass on platform
abandoned in the seventies would be more
notable for its pugnacity than for its politi-
cal sagacity.