The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-01
AMERICAN AFFAIRS AND BRITISH
SYMPA

The old allies of the Democratic party
are becoming alarmed. They have con-
cluded that in American politics the DEM
ocrats are not making fight that is equal
to the emergency. Therefore influential
British journals, acting on the theory that
desperate diseases require heroic remedies,
are throwing off the mask they are accus-
toned to wear, and instead of depending
upon Golden Club tracts and circulars.
are beginning to launch double-leaded edi-
torials through the medium of their own
columns.
Of this class is the Victoria Colonist,
which, i'll its issue of June %, devoted
large space to highly instructive essay
on American politics. The Colonist's ar
ralgnment of our present administration,
for ''prodigal expenditure" of United
States revenue, is intensely condemnatory.
"on the pretense of rewarding the men
who fought for the country" says this
highly sympathetic British journal, '.they
gave away more money than would be re-
quired to support the largest and most ex-
pensive war establishment in Europe"
And with better reason, and to better
effect, the patriotic people of this country
think. And as to the "pretense" of re-
warding the old soldiers, the latter have
found it pretty substantial pretense. and
are well satisfied. But not SO this British
self-constituted critic and instructor.
There is nothing easier than to waste
the peoples money" it says, and insists
that pensions to the old soldiers is such
waste, and it hotly denounces the Repub-
Leans of this country for favoring this
waste of our money.
But its condemnation of the Republicans
and Harrison's administration is in sharp
contrast with its cozzening references to
Cleveland and his followers. The manner
in which he 'nursed the surplus" was lust
too sweet and cunning, according to this
British instructor and adviser. Nothing
is said about his putting it in pet banks
for nursing" purposes, but no doubt il is
warmly commended. "Cleveland's ad-
ministration," says the admiring and eff
fusive CoiOnist, 'strove to be honest and
faithful stewards of the people, and conse-
quently turned deaf ear TO all who sug-
gested that the peoples money should be
wastefully expended" on pensions TO the
old soldiers, in building fine navy TO cope
with England, in preparing for strong
coast defenses and the like.
And there is a tone of sincere If not of
bitter sadness in the well-informed remark
of the Colonist that Mr. Cleveland cal
though he received a majority of the peo-
pies votes a million or more not voting
nor allowed TO votel. was not elected Pres.
ident." And the ColoniSt is inexpressibly
sad to think that pension bills which Mr..
Cleveland would have vetoed were passed
by congress and signed by Mr.. Harrison
And there Is no discountlng the ap-
PREDATORY pleasure with which this, our
foreign censor, declares that "the Demo-
Gratis in Cleveland's time could have spent
the surplus, but they would not" Which
is true 10 the letter. if any part of it was to
be spent for pensioning the men who saved
the Union, q position with which British
journalism everywhere and very naturally
sympathiZes.
The American people have been fairly
notified now. that if they want 70 please
journals Of the Colonist type they will re-
elect Mr.. Cleveland, elect congress that
VIII repeal the pension legislation, the
provisions for new navy and for coast
deienses, and create another and greater
surplus for Mr.. Cleveland and his net
banks to nurse But do the American
people mainly and chiefly desire to obey
and please the Colenist and kindred Brit
ish Journalist If the Colonist and kindred
Journals viii hold their heads close 10 the