The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-28

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THE JOURNAL AND MR.. ALDRICH.
That self-appointed but somewhat
erratic censor Of things that are and
things that are not, by name the PRovI-
DENcE Journal has at last taken defin-
ate position on the topic that to-day is
foremost in the minds of men-the
speech of Nelson w. Aldrich, the Re
publican protectionist Senator from our
own State. This is a fact of such extra
ordinary Importance that in the language
of the late Capt Cutie, we "make a
note ont" -
1t has been said by some prophet who
knew more Of this mundane sphere and
its people than those who confine their
political reading to the editorial columns
of the Journal that fool can make
more false statements in sixty sec
onds than ominiscience can refute
in eternity. We therefore refrain
from calling attention to more than q
very few of the utterances of our con-
temporary on Mr.. Aldrich Defending
the Mckinley Tariff 1t is not neces-
sary for us to defend Mr.. Aldrich. His
reputation as man whose opinions on
financial questions have more weight
than those Of any other American states
man will answer for his record in the
past. The speech which he delivered on
Tuesday will answer for the present.
1t is most mastery utterance
ON the most momentous subject
that has occupied the public mind
since the reconstruction period. The
speech, while entirely different in style
and subject, will stand side by side in
its convincing analysis with that memo
rable reply of Daniel Webster to Mr..
Hayne. Nevertheless, with that dog
matte assurance that is born of ignor-
ance, the Journal says that "in so far as
it is an attack on the Democratic tariff
position it is very much like firing in
the air." That is that the senator from
RHODE ISLAND has spent his fifteen
years of senatorial experience in a
study of the tariff question only
at last to occupy twenty-eight
pages of the Congressional Record in
talking wind" Secondly the same
oracle says: "It is not wholly within
the bounds Of truth to say that the lead
ing representatives of the party have
given forth equally radical utterances.
To put it more briefly, according to the
Journal, the senior Senator lies. Thirdly
the Journal says: "All argument
against that principle free trade) must
be considered to be rather pointless and
certainly aside from matters Of present
interest" OF course all remarks con-
cerping the tariff are aside from "mat-
ters of present interest," and it is un-
doubtedly grievous error on the part of
Senator Aldrich to waste his time on
them.
Lastly, the Journal says In conclu-
sion "It is needless to say that the de-
fence is an unsatisfactory one." II is
needless for US to call attention to the
ute. lack of foundation for and falsity
of these remarks of the Journal. Any
one who is possessed of brain of more
than one lobe knows that they are un-
true. But II is interesting to note the
mental gyrations of our contemporary
who
Sees free trade In the clouds
And nears Il In the wind.
Only last spring this Senator whom the
Journal now condemns was the idol of
its hopes. II is true that its advocacy
of his reelection almost defeated him,
but its spasmodic intention was good.
Then it favored him; now it speaks Of
him AS talking Unto the air." uttering
"pointless" remarks and speaking sun
truths" Which is its honest opinion,i IL it
ever has one? Is our senior Senator
worthy of e-election TO the highest office
in the gift of the people or is he what he
is now called by the Journoif No need
to answer. He who runs may read the
truth.
In closing we need but call attention
to the painful evidence of the mutations
of all things mortal in trying to recon-
cile these two positions Of the Journai
but we are fortunately spared further
explanation Of the matter by noting that
side by side with the Journals discus
sion of Mr.. Aldrich. appears an article
on Disease and Ignorance" Under
one Of the heads ut least the Journal can
speak authoritatively aud furnish a
complete statement Of the reasons for