New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-07
THE PRESIDENTS ACCEPTANCE.

1t was so late Monday night before the whole
of President llarrisons letter was received by
telegraph that some able editors OF newspapers
NAV venture to plead that their comments were
not in all respects such as calm and careful
perrsal of that remarkable document would
have prompted. Some appear TO have deter
mined upon the general tone and character OF
their criticisms before any part of the letter
had arrived. Thus THE NewIork Times
speaks of the narrow and pettifogging spirit"
and "intense craftsmanship of the document ;
words of censure which, it is safe to say, would
never have occurred to the impartial reader OF
Mr. Harrisons calm, courteous and well-rea-
soned review. There have been few Presi-
Dental messages for quarter of century
to which such criticisms would not apply with
more truth. The question may be safely left
TO the Judgment of intelligent men.
"The New-York Herald pronounces it a
strong letter" but somewhat hastily endeavors
to find weakness in its most effective points.
Thus it says that the Democratic demand for
State banks will not have much effect on the
| election, but lttle conversation with business
men or bankers anywhere would cast some
| light on that point. The Democratic platform
either meant what it said or ii did not. IL it
did not, the party ought to be condemned and
beaten for treating lightly and insincerely 4
matter so vital to the interests Of all business
men and wage earncrs. If it means TO repeal
the tax on State bank circulation, the party
deliberately intends to permit each of the state
Legislatures, however ignorant. or corrupt or
partisan, TO authorize unlimited circulation by
banks with as much or as little protection for
bill holders as the inexperience and unwsdom
of members may provide. In most Of the
States, it is safe to say, the precautions against
bad banking would be Of no avail whatever.
For the great majority of voters had no Psr-
sonal experience under the old banking sys-
TEN, and in most of the States which were in
existence prior to 1860 there was no real pro-
lection for bill holders.
The Presidents treatment Of foreign affairs
is all the more admirable because it contrasts
in one respect with the rest of his letter. That
political opponents are generally honest and
patriotic in their opposition Oh questions of
domestic policy the President evidcNly feels,
and he shows this feeling in his fairness Of tone
when combating their positions But the strong
Amerranism of the President and his earnest
patriotism are reused by the disposition of some
50 take the foreign side in every controversy
between this and other nations. 1t does not
seem to him decent thing, nor worthy Of
American citizenship, that journals of this
country should persistently play into the hands
OF Great Britain of Canada, Of Italy, Of Chill or
Of any other foreign Power in every instance
where its acts or pretensions have been resisted
by the Government charged with the defence
Of American rights and honor. 1t is with some
righteous Indignation that he notices this spirit
Justly infcrring that such persistent and UNI
varying hostility to the American side Of every
controversy cannot be due so much TO indie
pendent judgment as to malignant craftsmanship.
In connection with this the Presidents refer
ence to the conduct of the Democratic Com
mittee OH Foreign Affairs in the House was
particularly forcible Frankly and fully rccog-
nizing the patriotic spirit shown by these Dem
Ocrats, which had been so far above party that
he had gladly conferred freely with them on
the most delicate and confidential matters of
international policy, he takes occasion to say ::
They did not regard the patient but firm inistcnce
upon American rights and upon immunity from Insult
and injury for citizens and sailors In foreign ports
as u policy Of irritation and buster" They did not
believe. some others seem to believe that TO BE-
Democrat must take the foreign side OF every IN
ternaonai question II Republican Administration IS
conducting the American side.
Fair men will not differ regarding the dig
nifty of tone or the justice Of this rebuke
which, nevertheless cuts SO deep that hostile
criticism of the Presidents letter may be OK
pected from the British and other foreign organs
in this country.