The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-25
Africa and Hot Scotch,

Tho Hon. BENJAMIN HARRISON will have to
devote such time rs he can spare from the
cares OF empire and musings upon tho lusty
health OF the Hon. JAMES G. BLAINE and the
probabilities OF the fall elections to a study
OF the liquor question; and he will have to
consider that question. subjectvely and
effectively. in It's personal and its inter-
national bearings. with reference to tho heart
Of Africa and his own midst. Tho Presby-
terrain Synod OF New York has voted to send
! asking for the ratification Of treaties pro-
vlding for the abolition Of the liquor trade
with Africa.
The liquor trade with Africa con-
sists in no small degree in tho ex-
portation Of New England rum to the
dark continent. New England rum. IA
cetiously known as white wine. is. un-
doubtedly. one Of the most powerful
poisons known. and the simple African who
dallies with it will lead short but an ex-
citing life. Even In New England, where
alcohol. bay rum. and Jamaica ginger have
to be used to amuse the bored palates OF
the natives. tho wine Of the country is re-
garded as trihe irritating. The New Eng
land people, therefore. with characteristic
ally philanthropic and altruistic instinct.
send the choice product out Of the country.
1t Is drink which 1t Is safest to take by
proxy. 1t may be bad for Africa. but Africa
cannot expect to have as fine an assortment
Of wet goods US is kept by the Somerset Club
OF Boston, for instance. Gen. HARR1soN's
heart beats for Africa, we may be sure. but
how far will he feel himself justified in
striking at New England industry OF long
standing? In the enlightened selfishness
Of political economy Is 1t not better for New
England rum to pulverlze Africa than to
pulverize the United Statesr Ought not
the manufacture OF rum to he prohibited
before tho expectation is prohibited
These questions. which we ask in no friv-
olous spirit. and with the heartiest wish
that Africa should sign tho pledge. must be
considered by Gen. HARRISON. who should.
Of course. view with the same impartial eye
rum, whiskey. gin. and all other attempts
upon the nerves Of Africa.
But the Hon. ANDREW CARNEGIE Of Clunv
Castle has made it impossible for Gen. HAIR
RIsoN to sit in judgment on tho liquor trade
with Africa. The 1s11ls-gallon barrel Of fine old
Highland whiskey which MIR. CARNEGIE has
sent to the President. and which the gaugers
and samplers at the Custom House regard
as stuff OF excellent flavor and force. is now.
or will soon be. in the White House cellars.
AS Ger. HARRISON sips glass Of the good
old Scotch drink. and warns the cookies
OF his heart at that smoking fire Of peat.
he will sympathize deeply and sincerely
with the unfortunate natives OF Africa.
They will never know tho potent enchanter
incarnate In that heady Caledonian drink.
They cannot afford to drink old Highland
whiskey. Probably they are not worthy OF
it. Certainly they are not hard-headed
enough to carry 1t we'll. Yet as Gen. HAIR
R1soN thoughtfully sips his glass Of old
Highland the Scotch mist and smoke that
will rise up in his fancy will not obscure.
we hope. the fact that he Is debarred from
interfering with the habits OF tho thirsty
folk Of Africa. II the traffic in intoxicants
between the United States and Africa is to
be stopped. what Is to be done with the
traffic in intoxicants between Scotland and
Washington. D. c.? II the grog OF the
colored brother in Africa Is to be cut Off.
shall not the grog OF BENJAMIN HARRISON
be cut Off, too!
At any rate, 1t must DO evident to Gen.
HARRISON that he Is disqualified from sit
ting in the case brought before him b. the
Presbyterian Synod. We don't pretend to
understand how man who says he thinks
as much OF BLAIR as Gen. HARRISON says
he does can consent to encourage the
liquor traffic. but with lsI gallons OF rare
old Scotch whiskey to flush his throat. tho
President need not concern himself about
DLAIR's opinions. Nobody does. in fact.
except BLAIR. But how can the friends OF
temperance In Africa see without grief and
alarm tho Africans still exposed to bad
spirits whilo tho President OF the United
States loafs and invites his soul with Scotch
whiskey selected by ANDREW CARNEGIE
The memorial OF the Presbyterian Synod
needs to he enlarged to cover tho exporta-
ton OF whiskoy from Scotland to this coun-
try. And yet as ono thinks Of Gen. HAIR
R1soN mixing his hot Scotch when the days
work is dono and seeing through that fra
grant steam the promise and potency OF
denomination. ono forgets tho natives Of
Africa little.
Tho Militia at tho Fair.