The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1893-08-11
THE HARD rImEs.
ridiculous Repubiicsn Raii!n-s Against
the Party IN Power.

WV ~'sg - 1890
To rail. 10 nag. to sheer NJ govern
mcnt Is the privilege OF the opposition.
A useful privilege OF the opposition. i'm
deed a right. Is the right OF free, honest
and intelligent criticism.
The governmental situation in the
United States differs to-day from that
which obtained year ago only in two
congress has not changed them in one
ioia But the personnel of administra-
ton Is different, and there is a purpose
in all departments 10 bring about that
economy which is manifestly needed by
the stringency of the times. and ought
to be the rule under all circumstances,
for government ought not be a devourer
of the substance of the people. or, TO
state it more exactly, government
ought not to ask in taxes more money
than is needed for an economical adj
ministration.
Democrats have been in possession Of
the administration Of the United States
since the 4th of March last. During all
that period. but particularly for two or
three months last passed, there has
been widespread stringency of the
money market. resulting in business
depression, whercupon with almost
unanimous voice the republican press
Of the country INDUCES itself in the
cheap reflection that they in their pre-
science told the country SO. that the
prosperity which republicans assured
them is not given by democrats, that
hard times result necessarily from dem
ocratic administration OF affairs, and
that il Harrison had been reelected
everybody would be on the high road
to prosperity. OF course there is no
specification warranting this criticism.
IL grows out Of the broad fact that, un-
questionably, the times are hard. John
Sherman used to claim that the repub-
lican party was the author Of bountiful
crops. lie would never assert the con-
verse Of the proposition, though, that
when crops were poor there was respon-
sibility on the republican party.
An administration. save as it is ex.
travagant or economical, can have very
little influence upon business activities
of the United States Legislation,
which Is more than the administration,
for it is congress and the executive to.
gcther, can legitimately do no more FOL
the business oft country than TO give
it stable currency. Congress has not
been in session since the advent OF
President Cleveland. but business dis
trcss, money stringency, IS not pccul'
lar to the United States. All civilized
countries are suffering because of re-
bound from extravaganza, speculation,
overproduction, and wild dissipation.
The business world has slowly wax
cned up from period of debauch &c
take the inevitable consequences of q
sick headache and remorscful DISPOSE
ton. The first check, the first rcal
realization Of what was coming, was
the announcement nearly two years
ago of the Barings failure. 1t was fol.
lowed upon the part of prudent per-
sons by retrenchment, by failure to ex
tend credit save where credits were
deserved. And though there was bu
momentary check in the United States
yet as it was slowly followed by pol
Icy soon becoming apparent of requir
ing from the United States gold pay
ments confidence was slowly under
mined in this country. The process
commenced during the administration
of President Harrison. lie was not re
sponsiblc for it save as his signature t.
the sherman law had its bearing. and
the situation which has been finally
attained has been reached the quicker
less by occurrences in the United
States than by events beyond its juris
diction. Australia gave notice Of the
storm. So did India
The prudence of Washington. tn.
vigor of Jackson, the patriotism o.
Lincoln, not all the virtues of the bcs
of presidents would in the slightcs
change that distress in the Unite.
States which has been produced
by a series of events Of worldwide oc
currcncc. In the vulgar mind tn,
opinion fostcrcd by persons of NOR,
intelligence for party ends charges
upon the party in power all RESPONSE
bility for an unhappy business situa
ton. But 1t Is as certain as the da,
that the situation would not as to tn,
United States be changed in tn,
slightest were benjamin Harrison. no
Grover Cleveland. president of thu
United States; indeed, it might b,
worse, because it was apparent tina
under benjamin Harrison there would
have been none Of that government
retrcnchmcnt which must result in re
duction Of taxation upon a people VIII,
are less able now to pay it, or thinl
themselves so, than they were yea
ago.
Some Of the republicans Of to-day
who charge the stringency Of the times
upon the national administration were
in 1873 republicans who assevcratct
with tremendous emphasis that tho
mere fact that Gen. Grant, o republic
nm, was president Of the United
States had nothing whatever to dt
with the panic Of that year. -Chicags
INncs
The party in power stands be
tween two fires. 1t Is chaifcd ant
tainted for not daring or even desiring