Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-13
His Recent Remarks on Our Foreign
Policy Not New.
Two FORMER ACTS IN THE SAME Line
They Occurred During Mr.. CIeve-
lands Former Administration.
WHY HE FREED HIS MIND

Surprise is expressed in quarters entitled
to consideration at some of the comments
made on the recent speech of Don NJ Dick
inson. This comment characterizes the
Michigan leader as new recruit to the
ranks of those derided as jingoes. The very
opposite of this is said to be true Mr..
Dickinson, indeed, Is accredited with hav-
ing brought about the two acts of Mr.
Cleveland's first admnistra ton bearing
upon foreign matters which sUlacked of
American assertion and individuality, and
which recommended 1t strongly to the rank
and file of the democratic party Ii he IS
entitled to this credit, instead of being a
new recruit. Mr.. Dickinson is a veteran
lingo, and deserves to stand by the side of
Mr. Eustis and Mr.. Whitney as democrats
proud of their country and alive to the ae-
cessty of keeping her interests well ad-
venced among the nations.
Two Former Instances.
The two acts referred to were the procla-
nation of Mr.. Cleveland respecting tolls
through the Welland canal, and the send
ing home of Lord Sackville, the British
minister, for replying in the terms he en-
ployed to the famous Murchison letter.
Both questions arose during the presi-
Dental campaign of 1885, when Mr.. Dick
a
cabinet, and when a very great deal SEEM
ed to depend a prompt and wise de-
cision. Nerve and not diplomacy was de-
manded. In the one case Canada was seek
Ing to levy an unjust tribute on American
commerce passing through the canal, and
in the other English spirit was to be tested
by the passing of a severe judgment on
the official conduct of her representative
at this capital.
With the one subject Mr.. Dickinson was
thoroughly familiar from his long residence
on the Canadian border, and from a close
study of Canadian policy toward the United
States. On the other subject he had merely
to pass q good party man and man of
spirit. On both subjects he is said to
have taken a leader-like stand, and to
have carried the President and mis- col
leagues of the cabinet with him. The
party, 1t Is true was defeated at the polls,
Notwithstanding this record but what with
the Irish wards in New York all in revolt
on the Sackville matter, and the whole of
the northwest calling for action on the
question of the canal tolls, the result, had
not the record been made, might have been
demoralizing to the party beyond repair.
Canada was brought to her senses about
the tolls. and Lord Sackville was politely
company, and this, it is claimed, is sufti-
cient to show that the Michigan leader has
not only just awakened to on American
spirit and the courage Of its assertion.
What His Critics Say.
Some Of Mr.. Dickinsons friends assert
though not in the nature of complaint
that he has suffered somewhat in the prop
er public esteem by reason of certain per-
sonal peculiarities of his. and even as the
result Of the use the cartoonists and para
graphers have made of his personal ap-
pearance. His manner is brusque and
sometimes blunt, and there is a certain
drive at times in his energy which is a
trif1e despotic. He is young, vigorous In
health and always in earnest, and he lacks
the capacity as yet of profiting by opposi-
ton and sincere differences of opinion. He
is often too much in a rush to stop and
fully explain himself. This has given his
critics a handle, and they accuse him of
having too much bounce. They say he
sometimes defeats his own ends by hurry
ing and taking short cuts across country
when the better plan would be to follow
the regular road of conference and pull up
at the inn with company behind him. As
for personal appearance. it has been illus
trated over and over again how the trick
of a glance, or the twirl of a pair of eye
glasses. the tousle of thick growth of
hair. or the cut of coat, will. when dwelt
upon In pictures or In paragraphs affect
public opinion of public man. Ever since
Punch male such entertaining sport of
Disraeli's curl ornamenting the center Of
his forehead the cartoonists have had their
way with the politicians. This sport some
times hurts. but it oftener helps. 1t helped
to make Disraeli. 1t has ceased to do any
harm to Mr.. Dickinson. His side whiskers
have been drawn out in many lengths, and
have been dyed in many newspaper colors,
but they still remain, and the good nature
with which he has stood all the chatting
has certified to his own sense of humor
and to his spirit of comradeship.
Why He Spoke His Mind.
Some entirely natural speculation has
grown out Of Mr.. Dickinson's deliverance.
He is young, ambitious. capable. He lives
In the northwest, where parties have been
finding battle ground of recent years.
Things. at times, get to be very unsettled
there. Has Mr.. Dickinson a weather eye
peeled for the presidency? Hardly, it is
thought. At least not for the next presi-
dency. No democrat could be elected Pres
ident next year on platform demanding a
vigorous foreign policy. That would mean
a sharp rebuke of the present administra-
tion. and however strongly democrats as in
dividualS may feel on that subject, they
carnot. as partisans, call publicly and col
lectively for such action at the polls If
the race is to turn on foreign policy 1t is
as good won now by the republicans
Besides, Mr.. Dickinson is hopelessly in the
minority at home. The republicans have
the state by majority that small school
boys find it difficult to compute. No; the
best reason offered for the outburst seems
to be that Mr.. Dickinson got to thinking
about Mr.. Bayard. and couldn't longer con-
tain himself. He concluded to speak his
mind freely Just for luck, and to relax the