Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-09-26

Republicans RightuIIy Believe tbs Desig-
nation Badge of Honor


Few are the things that the democratic
leaners have done since the autumn OF 1890
that they have not wished undoue as soon
as they were out Of their hands, Their
foolish ingeanity displayed itself last in the
in theinvention OF the phrase, the billion
dollar congress- which they hoped to at
tach as term of opprobrlum to the fifty
first congress, But now that Mr. Henry
Cabot Lodge formally has accepted the
democratic nickname as a title Of honor to
the republican majority of that congress
aud has given reasons for its being so worn.
the democrats may feel as uncomfortable
in memory of their invention as poor Shy
lock aid over his hasty laulation Of "a
Daniel come to Judgment
No penny OF the money appropriated by
the republican majority Of the titty-tirst
congress was applied to any purpose which
any democratic journal II orator in the
northern states will dare TO impugn, nor to
any purpose which the national platform
Of the democratic party tor 1892 will dare
to denOlnce
Mr. Lodge. in his speech to the republi-
caa convention of Massachusetts, dropped
some burning and defiant woI dis which the
republican press and the orators OF repuo-
lican clubs can not repeat too often prior
to the opening Of the next nation9l cam
paign.
"ln hooks and by-ways and in irrespon-
sible newspapers, the democrats have UNI
dertaken to assail the pension legislation
and the pension appropriations of the re-
publican party i they are opposed to
them, let them have the courage OF their
convictions, come OFT openly and say so
officially challenge them to do it. If
they have not the courage TO utter with
authority thai which they are muttering
under their breath. then let them hold
their peace Let them either specifically
dcnounce us for our pension appropria-
tions or let them hereafter say nothing
more about the one hundred and thirteen
millions increase which we made If
they are silent, they assent if they speak
out against Us, we will hgut them on this
theme as on all others.
This is the kind Of talk that repu IL
cans like TO hear. The southern press
openly speaks of republican legislation
for tine benefit of the Union soldiers, or
the widow and orphans OF such, as the
pension stead. Let US see il the demo
cratic convention will speak of it thus
Let Us challenge and defy criticism Of the
policy of appropriating one hundred and
thirteen millions for the relief OF thuss
who have teen wounded OF who have be-
come enfeebled in defense Of he Union
or for the aid OF those who have been
made widows or orphans by confederate
it has become questionable to say rebel
bullets Let the republican party invite
and defy the mocracy 10 open its cam
paign along TINS line
What, really, was the amount appro.
priated for all purposes 10y the republicans
in the tfty-hrst congress? 1t was nine
hundred ana eighty-eight millions What
was the amount appropriated for all pur-
poses by democratic majority in the fifth
eth congress2 1t was eight hundred and
eighteen millions
To what purpose were the hundred and
seventy millions Of increased appropria-
lions devoted? One hundred and thir-
teen millions went to old pld feeble sol
dlers of tie union or 10 the widows and
orphans OF dead soldiers Will the mex
democratic convention dare 10 denouuCe
this expenditure? VIII it dare 10 pledge
itself to repeal of pension legislation or 10
reduction Of pensions? Next IN maguj-
tude Of amount is 50 0)l 900
Of in crease tor tine postal service In all
past tine 1t bas happened and in all int
ure time it is likely to happen that every
increase of postal expenditure has brought
an increase of postal income. But, a,
Mr. Lodge said Let it stand as IL is
If the democratic party will dare 30 declare
itself opposed 10 more efficient service for
the distribution Of newspapers and letters
to tie people Of the whole country. but
more especially the farmers and villagers
Of the south and west, the republicans
will be glad 10 join issue with them.
Next comes $4,000. 900 for ships Of war.
With the Behriug Sea question on orr
hands. with Canada growing insolent,
with European intrIgues for the recovery
Of monarchical strength On the American
continent with the Nicaragua canal to
defend a few wears hence. and with our
travelling citizens to protect in Al, parts Of
tie world, tat the democrats pIedg' them.
selves against moderate appropriations for
war navy If they care. Three million.
went for coast lsfanses Was II a penny
too much? Six millions was the cost 81
the census. Eight and bslf millions
went to pay dehts long owing to Indian
tribes, Jr due 70 them for the magnificent