Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-15
TERMS OF THE DISPATCH.
PITrsBURG. THURSDAY, JAN. Is, 1891.
INGALLS, ON DIVERS TOPICS.


coinage question, yesterday, managed, ac-
cOrding to the telegraphic summary: to de-
liver himself OF a large amount OF interest
ing talk on the connection of the Decalogue
and Golden Rule with politics; on violence
and fraud in elections; on ignorant, degraded
and dishonest suffrage; on the tyranny OF
combined corporations and the injustice OF
centralized and constituencies capital; on
the sign ficance of the recent elections as an
uprising of independent opinion, with few
closing words to the effect that he will vote
for free silver coinage. Possibly the revised
report of the Senator's speech may show
larger proportion of bread in the shape of
argument on the coinage issue to the guam
ttv of sack which is poured forth on things
in general; but the press reports warrant the
belief that the Senator's silver coinage
speech was very interesting and significant
on almost every political subject but that OF
silver coinage.
In Senator Ingalls, excursion through the
fields ana forests of politics, we are glad to
see that he took occasion to rectify his posi-
ton on the assertion that the Decalogue and
Golden Rule have no place in politics. The
effect of last falls election sticks out between
The lines of almost every paragraph OF the
5peech, but nowhere is it more salutary than
here The Senator now AYERS that his asser-
ton was misconstrued, and, that he did not
make that famous assertion as inculcatlng
that doctrine, but simply as announcing the
fact. THE DISPATCH has always been free
Il IN
the fondness OF the Senator for glitterlng
epigrams which say more than he means; but
i his explanations is to be accepted it convicts
him Of a remarkable failure to make his
meaning clear in his words. According TO
the report, which is vet uncontradicted, Sem
ator Ingalls, made that remarkable state
lnent in the course OF giving reasons why
there is no use of talking reform in politics
The publication of politics was an 'lri-
descent dream" The contests of politics
were, like those Of war, conflicts OF brute
force and selfshness. The Ten Command
ments and Golden Rule had no place there.
Ii these utterances by man who is active
in that sort of politics and is doing his best
10 keep himself so, do not commit him TO
that conscienceless doctrine, 1t can only be
upon the plea that his fondness for striking
hyperbole obscures his mind to the real
meaning of what he says.
Senator Ingalls, remarks on the growth of
great fortunes, the greed of combinations
and the superiority of corporations to the
law. form rather vivid commentary on a
class of subjects to which THE DISPATCH
has paid much attention. Here again we
have an example of the effect of the elections
on Senator Ingalls, perceptions; and it must
be remarked that the brilliant Kansas Sen
ator has all the enthusiasm of a new con-
vert. AT the same time there must be re-
gret that the Senator had not perceived
these things in time to use his great influence
in the Senate for checking the Legislation
which favored the growth of corporate
abuses, and for fayoring legislation intended
10 check it. Heretofore Senator Ingalls, ha,
been q factor rather on the corporate side
than against it; and it is an illustration o.
the adverse fates that he should be converted
into an ardent anti-corporation man only
when his Senatorial career is drawing to 6
close.
as to the silver coinage question, wher
Senator Ingalls, is able TO show how fire.,
coinage will elevate and educate the voter
restore the purity of elections, reinstate tn,
Decalogue and Golden Rule as controlling
principles of action, conquer the capitals
combination, and curb the corporations, hi.
speech will be the greatest one of the period
But the present reports fail to make the
connection manifest.