The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-10-15

IL arise from any doubt of our success
for that seems to be assured. 1t is be-
cause the presentation of any argument
by any speaker seems almost entirely
unnecessary. The case has argued and is
arguing itself SO thoroughly in the
course of events now taking place and
which have taken place that the elo-
quence of an orator if, I had it, would
surely seem to fall far short OF that con-
viction which has already taken possess
sion of the public mind.
Mr.. Evarts in one of those brilliant
sayings which have so often lighted up
life of dignity and honor declares that
the
WISDOM OF MANKIND
after 5000 years has discovered no better
method of administering justice than to
SET up two men on opposite sides, each
charged with the duty of exaggerating
the merits OF his side and perhaps abus-
ing the other. Hardly any better method
has ever been discovered for governing
the world than by political parties who
set up political speakers to chant the
praises OF their own party and denounce
the vices of their enemies. The position
therefore of g political speaker in ordi-
nary times seems to be simple and easy.
On the other side today the task still
seems as easy as of yore. All they have
to do is to forget that they are in power,
that they have themselves the response
Dlhty and then go at US in the old fash
Toned way charging all disaster to the
past and prom ising everything, for the
future. Even the senior senator from.
New York who has been out of the party
for some months signalizes his return
W py Joining IN the old chorus just as if
ne had never lost step in the procession.
Our task on this side was never more
d1 ficult. To recur to Mr.. .Evarts's sug-
gestlon, what would be the state of mind
OF any co unset for the plaintiff called
upon to address the jury where the de-
fendant's attorney had fully confessed
his clients guilt and had overwhelmed
him with all the reproaches and epithets
anu denunclations of which the Ian
guage was capable? His occupation
void be absolutely gone, and even Joseph
Choate or Rollins or Root or Carter
could only founder back into silence as
best he might.
speaker today. There is no way in
which ne can improve on the
DEFENDANTS CONFESSION.
have been in the habit for some years
OF speaking of the Democratic party in
terms which seemed TO me to be Just,
but which the members of it have not
found entirely satisfactory, aud yet
never dreamed of using words about
the party or it's chiefs which have been
shouted in speeches by great Democrats
from Maine to Texas and italicised in
much letter writing by very exalted
public functionary. should never have
dreamed of charging she Senate of the
United States, though OF another politi-
cal party, with perfdy and dishonor,
and yet that is only portion of the
magistrate of their own selection. When
saw Senator German in the Senate
chamber with uplifted right hand sue
cessfully call witness after witness to
prove that their party chief had be-
guiled them into the passage of the very
bill he SO bittery denounced, I thought
how far short in tine last campaign had
fallen of describing the actions liable
TO result from the supremacy OF the
party to which was opposed.
have therefore no epithets to bestow
to night. My weapons have been taken
from me and my occupation an a politi-
cal speaker, for this campaign seems to
L
it. If NE can no longer talk politics we
can perhaps do better. Surely there
rever was better opportunity for little
BUSINESS SENSE,
for a little OF that wholesome wisdom
which we put into the affairs of ordinary
life.
Let US then commence with frank ad-
mission that the action of the Democratic
party and its complete failure in the art
of governing this country was perfectly
natural and that as individuals the
Democrats are not responsible therefor
Nor can we venture to say that we were
prophets whose predictions are being
fulfilled, for am persuaded that no man
on our side dared to foresnadow one
half of what has happened, most of us
not Il tithe. Naturally enough if we,
who were their enemies did not prophecy
this measure of calamity the ordinary
dreamed of it, and therefore did not
have it in his heart.
1t is because | am sure from outward
and visible signs and notably from the
elections inVermont and Maine, that men
are laying aside their partisanship and
are willing to do their share towards
saving the country that am willing to
lay aside mine and discuss on reasonable
terms what it is best to do here and now
for the common interest Whenever the
principles in Mr.. Evarts's lawsuit lay
aside their grudges their lawyers can
lay down their weapons. So when in
politics. where great mistake has been
made, so great that all men can see it,
can be safely laid aside
and the case can be stated without ex-
of the merits of your own
side or abuse of the other. OF course
no man ever gets to be perfectly fair this
side the river of death for preposessions
and life long associations can never be
entirely overcome, but there are times
when men who have never before acted
together
CAN THINK ALIKE.
These times are shown by the actions
of men and not by their speech.