The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-21
Allegory at the Capitol.

We have to caution the Ne,u York Times
about reading Mr. CLEvELAND's SPEECH OF
Monday last as a lecture to his dissenting
| silver friends in the Senate. Our neighbor
| ventures to assert that the following por-
| ton Of Mr.. CLEvELAND's tribute to the
corner stone OF the Capitol was really in
| tended as a special Presidential larruping
| Of the Senators:
for their fellow countymen forget the duty OF broad
and dsinteested patriotism and egslate In prejudice
and passion or in behalf OF sectional and selfish in.
forests. the time whom the stone OF Capitol
was laid and the circumstances surrounding It. will
not be worth concentrating"
We hear without conviction. even from
such particular authority as the Times in
this case. that the President Is SO afflicted
with the mania Of politics that we must
interpret addresses from him upon occa-
sions Of national historic interest as per-
| soma! Executive messages on the accidental
and transitory complications Of the day.
But IL the oratory Of Monday last Is to be
regarded generally as the orators jump at
| a chance to express himself on contcmpo-
raneous topics. we are bound also to sub
ject the Vice-President to the same treat
ment and to give him a show. Is moral
likewise pointed in this striking portion Of
the address. delivered from the same plat
form by the Presidents distinguished fell
low statesman. Vice-Presidcnt ApLAI Ew-
ING STEVENSON
"was It RicBELIru Mr.. President, who said. Take
away the sword; States can DO saved withoutir,
"In no part OF mechanism Of governme ont the
wisdom Of fathers more strikngly displayed than
in tho division Of power into the three great depart
ma leQta nd tndIr ITnpn fha
Senate tho Constitution has devolved important func
tons other than those OF merely legislative character
Always organized. 1t Is the continuing body Of our
national legislature Its members change. but tho
Senate continues tho same a: tho first hour Of
republic. Before no human tribunal come for de-
termna ton issues OF weightier moment 1t were idle
to doubt that problems yet lie In our pathway as
difficult Of solution any that in times past have tried
the courage or tested the wisdom OF our fathers.
Yet may not confidently abide in the faith that in
the keeping Of those who succeed the ustrious
have named the dearest interests OF country will be
faithfully conserved. and in the words of an eminent
predecessor. though these marble walls moulder into
ruin. the Senate in another age may bear into
and larger chamber the Constitution. vigorous and
invioate. and tho last generation of posterity shall
witness the deber ations OF the representatives OF
American States still united. prosperous. and frse"
What was in Mr.. STEvENsoN's mind
What reused the President of the Senate
to speak OF the upper House OF Congress
with such impressive respect and, allegori-
cally. with such unmistakable suggestion
of danger to Its constitutional dignity and
prerogative2 While the talk is 30 active Of
the Presidents attempting to bulldoze the
Senate into approving the Administrators
policy. the TImes's system of interpreting
public speeches would convert that of Mr..
STEVENSON into an arra!gnment OF the
President far more powerful and damaging
than Mr.. CLEvELANDs alleged rebuke to
the Senate. for the reason that the Presi-
dents offence would be incomparably more
serious and indefensible in the eye OF the
American Constitution.
For our part. we refuse to burrow in tho
speech OF either gentleman for hidden at
tacks upon objects of their disapproval:
and we advise our contemporary to throw
allcgory to the dogs. and particularly not
to try to turn occasional remarks OF Mr..
CLEVELAND into contemptuous filings at the
United States Senate.