The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1892-06-02

PLATT IS SARCASTIC.
~
How Can a Man be a Good Citizen.
Without Offering
PRAYERS FOR RICHARDSON'S ELECTION
Thinks it Morally Impossible for any
one to Oppose him.
PRAYERS FOR HARRlsoN's ELECTION
Thinks it Morally Impossible for any
one to Oppose him.
ONLY FOR REvENGEFUL MOTIVES.

ONLY FOR REvENGEFUL MOTIVES.
More Than willing to Subscribe to En-
thusiastic Praise of the Admin
istrstion---oth News.
New YoRK, June Ex-senator
Thomas G. Platt whose opposition to
President Harrison's nomination is no
secret, when seen today regarding the
interview with the president in which
MIR. Harrison was reported as saying
that he did not believe individual dis
appointment would control the action
of the convention at Minneapolis, said:
''The remarks about individual disap-
pointment' indicate how thoroughly the
president misapprehends the nature of
the opposition to hiscandidacy, and how
wise Is the American system of frequent
changes in the personnel of the govern
ment. 1T is astonishing how quickly
and bow easily is the process by which
man comes to look upon the Office he
holds as his private property. He be-
comes accustomed to the homage which
follows in its train, and regards it as
little less than impious to suggest that
he had better make way for another.
The president sannot understand how
man can be a good citizen without offer
inga prayer night and day for the re-
election of Benjamin Harrison. He
does not conceive it 10 be morally posi-
bic for any one to oppose him, except
from bad, selfish and revengeful motives,
friends delight to stigmatize as an un-
practical politician. l look at things as
they really are. The president says in
this interview that he has acted con-
scientiously in the discharge of his pub
lie duties. 1t is far from me to question
that. 1 am more than willing to sub
scribe to really enthusiastic praise of his
administration. 1t certainly has done
great things, but the president should
not assume that he is the. only man who,
since 1889, has contributed to its achiev-
ments. He is only one of many states
men who conjointly have labored to the
e.
country's honor and advantage. Blaine
gave us the last attractive and popular
feature to our policy-the magnificent
scheme of reciprocity, which has saved
to the people $80,000,0 900 of taxation
here, and on their exports half as much
more in the foreign countries where they
are sent. He has extended our foreign
trade not less than $40, 900 900, and
promises soon to dovastly more than that.
Now, if remember rightly, when Blaine
sent to the president his American
report, proposing reciprocity Mr.. Harri-
son forwarded it to congress with some
thing like sneer. In short, he threw
cold water on reciprocity.
Later, when Blaine's public letters
demonstrated that the people were with
him and his great policy, and when con-
gress put it into law and Brazil gave
Blaine a treaty, the president went
starring through the south, saying very
much about the glories of reciprocity
and very little about the statesman who
contrived it. Reciprocity is the brightest
jewel IN the crown of this administra-
tion !; but whose jewel is it? This admin
istration settled the Samoan difficulty
with Germany that was particularly
ugly and delicate affair and undoubtedly
great credit is. due to. the republican
government which adjusted it SO
promptly, SO neatly and so adyantag-
eously. I dare say the president should
come in for his share of the credit, but
it slnot he who drew the instructions
under which our commissioners acted,
and it was certainly they who did the
business. They were able men,. Kasson
is a most experienced diplomat, Phelps
is a man of great tact and discretion,
and Bates, Mr.. Bayard's friend from
Delaware, had been to Samoa
and knew all about the situation.
It was victory for the Harrison adj
ministration, but we must not wholly
forget Blaine, Kansas, Phelps and Bate 8.
The Chilisn affair was also victory,
and the president was highly con-
spicuovs at the finish, but even there he
must divide honors with the secretary of
the navy, who built and armed cruisers
between nightfall and morning for two