The morning news., 1892-01-12
A Silly Campaign Falsehood.

lOuRuL Wlkllu tue history Oh either OfShu-
izstlon. Looking over its armament and
magazine, the democracy finds itself in
splendid fighting trim. Issues founded on
principles-great principles involving the
bettermeot Of the condition Of the whole
people-are not wanting, and In its ranks
are great men to guide it to victory.
But not SO with the Republican party.
At tho outset it finds itself hampered by
recent disasters at the ballot-box, the record
OF weak administration. remarkable only
for its billion-dollar congress, its jingoism
in foreign affairs and its clsndestine at
tempts at free trade under the guise Of reci-
procity. Added TO this is the bossism caus-
ing so much discomfort in dozen hitherto
republican states, the boodleism charged in
the recent senatorial contest in Ohio and the
paternalism displayed by the party when
ever IL is thought that votes may be gained
thereby. Blocks Of five, unburned letters
and general iniquity shadow 1.-THE party Of
Seward and Grant"
In this emergency, and realizing that
something must be done 10 gain partisans
in the fight, the managers Of the old ma
chine have set 20 work under the rules OF
previous campaigns. Knowing full we'll
that an appeal TO reason on behalf of re-
publicanism would receive the same an
swer that was returned in 1884, they have
apparently resolved that the passions of
men must be wrought on, or their case is
hopeless. To this end, therefore, the manu-
facture Of campaign lies calculated to re-
arouse sectional and race prejudices has
been begun. Flag Incidents" ''rebel
brigadiers in congress-" the bloody shirt,
and other political hack stories are begin
ming TO appear, galvanized to suit the exi-
gencies Of the occasion.
Among the recent outrages on truth per-
petrated by republican partisans for
political effect in the north and west is the
attempt to make 1t appear that the failure Of
the House to pass the resolution making an
appropriation for the transportation OF
grain gathered in the west to Russia for
distribution among the starving peasants
was the outcome OF southern hatred of Rus
sia for the friendliness displayed by that
government toward the United States dur
ing the civil war, merely because a demo-
cratic member moved the indefinite post
ponement OF the resolution,
When the matter is looked into, the story
is positively silly; but everybody does not
look into such things, and often silly stories
are effective. For that reason the incident
is noticed.
"When the resolution came before the
House," says Mr.. BIount, chairman of the
committee on foreign affairs, sit had passed
the Senate without investigation, and there
were a number Of questions asked that
could not be answered. 1t was not known
whether or not the ships Of the navy could
carry the -four and grain contributed, nor
could any one tell what disposition the
car would make Of the supplies when re-
ceived."
These facts alone are certainly enough to
warrant the postponement of the resolu-
tion until inquiry could be had, so that
intelligent action might be taken. But
there are other considerations,
one Of which is that there IA
no warrant I'm the constitution for
the expenditure of public money
in the manner proposed by the relief resolu-
tion; even the elastic general welfare
clause could not be stretched to fit the case
Of sufferers in foreign country, conse-
quenUly every stickler for constitutional
methods in congress was bound by his faith
to oppose the measure. Under the circum-
stances a little Inconsistency might have
been overlooked, and the MORNING NEWS
expressed regret when the resolution failed
to pass; but business is business even in
such matters.
Furthermore 1t was not known how the
autocrat Of all the Russias would receive
the aims Of this republic. Russia has made
no appeal for help. and it may be that the
imperial government, amply able to take
care Of itself, would receive as an affront q
tender of charity, unsolicited, by foreign
government, however friendly their pre-,
vious relations
As stated above, the MORNING NEWS ex-
pressed regret at the resolutions failure OF
| passage. That expression was sincere,
founded on the broad basis of humanity.
1t was believed then, is believed now, that
tender Of help under the auspices of this
! government would result In good. But
when political capital IS sought to be made
at the expense Of the south and the democ-
racy, it can and must be shown that the
"vindictive spirit of the southern democrat
was wanting in the trsnsaction-the post
| ponement was had on safe and tenable
| ground, consistent with the principles OF
conservative government, and cannot
truthfully be assailed.
The southern spirit is too chivalrous to
stoop to so mean an action as is asserted by
| its republican enemies in this matter. In
| times of the civil conflict the south never
did make war against women, children and
J helpless men, as was done In that memora =
BILE march to the sea-" and much less
would the southern gentleman-who is the
southern democrat in congress-make war
on the helpless In foreign country, against
! whom he can possibly have no grievance.
1t was not the Russian peasants, who, in
! time Of war, befriended the United States
it was the government of the House of
| Romanolf, and the House of Romanoff is
not starving.
| The MORNING News has little respect fol
the system under which Andrew Carnegie
has been enabled to pile up princely fort
une at the cost of his workmen; but it can,
not withhold its commendation Of the way
he Is spending large portion Of his wealth.