The Portland daily press., 1895-05-17

Two Former Acts in the Same Liue-They
Occurred During Mr.. CleveIand's For
mer Administration-Why He Freed
His Mind.
Washington Star.)
Surprise is expressed in quarters en-
titled to consideration at some of the
comments made on the recent speech Of
Don M. Dickinson. This comment char
acteIizes the Michigan leader as new
recruit to the ranks of thote .derided as
jingoes. The very opposite, of this is
said to be true. Mr.. Dickinson, indeed,
is accredited with having brought about
the two acts of Mr.. Cleveland's first ad-
ministrRtion bearing upon forcing mat
ters which smacked of American asser-
tion and individuality and which recon-
mended it strongly to the rank and file
of the Democratic party. II he is entit-
led to this credit, instead of being new
recruit, Mt. Dickinson is veteran jingo,
and deserves to stand by the side OF Mr..
Eustis and Mr.. Whitney rs Democrats
proud Of their country and alive to the
necessity of keeping her interests well
advanced among the nations.
TWO FORMER INSTANCES.
The two acts referred to were the proc
lamation of MI. Cleveland respecting
tolls through the Welland canal, and
the sending home of Lord Sackville, the
British minister, for replying in the
terms he employed in the famous Murchi-
son letter. Both questions arose during
Al oJ ~ IN
Mr.. Dickinson was a member of Mr..
Cleveland's Cabinet, and when very
great deal seemed to depend upon a
prompt and wise decision. Nerve .and
not diplomacy was demanded. In the
one case Canada was seeking to levy hn
unjust tribute on American commerce
passing through the canal, andin the
other English spirit was to be tested by
the passing of severe judgment on the
official conduct of her representative ut
this capital.
With the one subject Mr.. Dickin
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 as good
party man and man OF spirit. On both
subjects he is said to have taken leader
like stand, and to have carried the Presi-
dent and his colleagues of the CabiLet
with him. The party. it 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 ques-
ton of the canal tolls, the result. had
not the record been made, nigh have
been demoraliZing to the party beyond
repair Canada WAS brought to her sem
ses about the tolls, and Lord Sackville
was politely notified that his room was
better than his company, and this, it is
claimed, is sufficient to show that the
Michigan leader has not only just awak-
ened to an American spirit and the cour-
age of it's assertion.
WHAT HIS CRITICS SAY.
Some of MIR. Diokinson's friends assert
though not in the nature Of complaint
that he has suffered somewhat in the
proper public esteem by reason of GER
tain personal peculiaritiess of his, and
even as the result Of the use the CARTON
lists and paragraphers have made of his
personal appearance. His manner is
brugque and sometimes blunt, and there
is certain drive at times in his energy
which is a rrifle despotic. He is young,
vigorous in health and always in earnest
pTo6ting by opposition and sincere
differences of opinion. He is often too
much in rush to stop and fully explain
himself. This has gwen his critics
handle, and they accuse hin. Of having
too much hounce. They say be some-
times defeats mis- own ends by hurrying
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
illustrated over and over again how the
trick of a glance, or the twirl of a pair
of eyeglasses, or the tousle of thick
growth of hair, or the cut of q coat, will,
when dWelt upon III pictures or in para
graphs. affect public opinion of pu blic
man. Ever since Punch made such en-
tertaining sport of DisraeiPs curl orna-
menting the center of his forehead the
cartoonists have had their way with the
politicians. This sport sometimes hurts,
but it ottener helps. IL helped TO make
Disraeli. 1t has ceased to do any harm to
Mr. Dickinson. His side Whiskers have
been drawn ont in many lengths. and
have Leen dyed in many newspaper
colors, but they still remain, and the
good nature with which be has stood all
the chatting has certified to- his oMl.
sense of humor and to his spirit of COM
radeship.
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 re-
cent 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 presidency. No Democrat could
be elected President next year on plat
form demanding a vigorous foreign plicy
That would mean q sharp rebuke of the
present administration, and however
PIANOS