The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-01

months at Washington is well calculated
% disgust every thoughtful citizen with
the methods pursued by those to whom
the country at large has intrusted its
highest interests. The very name poll
4 fcs has become a term of reproach.
DR. Johnson. the famous photographer,
said that patriotism was ''the last
refuge of a scoundrel." We might we'll ex-
/ tend his definition and equally apply it to
1 those who derive their existence from
l the game Of politics. And, yet, in reality,
notifies is one of the noblest pursuits to
which a man could well devote his pow
srs if followed in thorough honesty and
sincerity. 1t takes under its charge
everything that contributes to the well-be-
ing of a nation; matters, apparently the
highest equally with those that seem
q utterly insignificant come under its critl-
cal examination. Nothing that concerns
man. in whatever capacity, falls with
out its range. Great craftsmanship
implies a profound knowledge of the po-
ticaI circumstances of the country and
a proper sense of the relations it holds to
other nations The statesman makes use
Of the broad general lessons derived from
politics; though O. matter of details, he is
able. when occasion requires, casting
aside everything trivial or unessential to
take a wide and unimpeded view of ma
tional and international relations, in
which nothing of importance escapes him.
He has ever in view the welfare of his
country He may make mistakes, but his
mistakes are always honest. How unlike
THAT brood of so-called politicians who now
"infest Washington with their hateful
presence. 1t would seem that they make
it the supreme object of their lives to
thwart and hinder every measure calcu-
lated TO promote the welfare of the coun-
Htry. righteousness eXalteth a nation,
says the inspired authority. Unfortunate
it is possible to see but little or that
righteousness in all the proceedings that
are going on at Washington. On the con-
Mtrary, we see deteStabe, selt-seeklngi We
See everything that is nest ana nODleSl III
1.-THE nation trOdden under foot and de-
#spised Some in their eagerness TO en-
Erich themselves, no matter now, seem
lost to all honor and all proprlety. All,
Tor nearly all, are engaged in petty in
\ trigues, with the object of scoring for
their party miserable successes which
may tell in its favor at the coming cleo
.tiOn. The thought of the true interest of
the country is apparently the last object
to exercise their attention.
Is it not extraordinary that those who
gave their noisy approval to the Monroe
doctrine should a few days afterwards oc-
cupy themselves with the Berlin treaty?
The founders of the country deliberately
intrenched themselves behind the position
that the United States should not meddle
in European quarrels This very position
is one of the main points of the Monroe
#dOctrine. America holding itself alooI from
the intrigues of the European nations,
Monroe expressly declared, would not al
low any of the nations of Europe to intro
duce its principles covertly or otherwise
#upon the western continent. Certainly It is
Extremely Illogical for the Senate after
endorsing President Cleveland'S message,
n which took it's stand upon the Monroe
doctrine, to devote its attention to the
N obligations severally incurred by the pow
ers that signed the treaty OF Berlin. HAD
the Senate quite forgotten Secretary Oh
81 neys dispatch to Lord salisbury, laying
M down the principle of the non-intervenUon
Of the United States in the affairs of Eu-
I'll rope? Strange logic! Strange consistency!
Ri We all know of many matters that might
well take precedence of such quiXotic ana
nj foolish meddling. 1t is not necessary to re-
Ter TO the currency question which is one
out of many. But there is one particularly
/ in which every patriotic American must
take the keenest interest in
regard to which the utmost
SSnn,alnimity, should prevail ~, in both
81 pie of England might well afford useful
n lesson to our senators and congressman
B Party divisions, we admit, are quite as IN
Il tense IN England as here; but we have seen
now in presence of possible conflict with
germany all sections of Englishmen, Tor
getting their bitter quarrels, presented a
united front to any possible enemy or COM
without friends or allies" was the cry,
1 out what does 1T matter, if all classes or
1 Englishmen are united?"
II What a contract has been offered to the
4 world in Washington! Grave senators seem
1 anxious to outcry each other in extrava-
4 sances. They talk of war as If they were
l prepared to welcome il as introducing
some variety into the monotony of dull
1 existence. one would imagine that an I'M
4 poftaht question to decide, would be that
oI the country's readiness for war. But
1 no. All Kinds of topics are discussed. Time
4 Cah De given to the denunciatiOns and raw
ngs OF a demagogue in which not even
She integrity and character of the chief
4 magistrate are spared, to debate about the
treaty of Berlin and the present condition
vi me great TimbuctOo question. while a
questioh, at present, more important than
an others is relegated to neglect and OBJ
scuflty: Surely the defenSes of the nation
worthy of little attention A true dem
ocIdcy should bear a close resemblance to a
n sIeat cooperative enterprise; every menu
IeI OF the company gains by success or
loSeS by failure 1t is the object of the di-
oeclofs, by bringing to a successful issue
ereiy variety of business with which they
&c concerned to promote the prosperity
all the shareholders. And al a time when
II ''r IS spoken of it is surely proper for the
4 Ihtry to insist that its defenses should
Il IN good condition
4 we do not say that war is necessary or
1 unable; but the best way to avert it
1 % be prepared for all contingencies.
4 England realizes this She knows that
e cannot always submit to being out
/ Titled in the field of diplomacy, and that
M gay may soon be at hand when she
WI be compelled to stake her existence
| III her honor upon the field of battle.
Inus 1t is that in the incredible short
Space Of five days the flying squadron
ias equipped and ready for sea Thus it
Il of mat she has just ordered an addition
a. A. Yen new cruisers to her already mighty
- 70 be constructed in private yards.
1no whilst England is preparing for
~ emergency that may occur, what are
r. cong? Nothing; less than nothing.
s-H4H whom shall we lay the blame for
tiS In a criminal inaction? Upon both par
i dis9@'a!t axe. Democrats and republicans are
N6ePuuhg with each other about mere tri-
mn .Whle valuable time that might be
/ TO good account is utterly wasted.
~ undo to-day the work of yesterday.
d s,,r7etitl, resident evidently desires to see
mai mig done; he is rewarded for his
B iifi5lns,,oy every sort of opposition. Where
ones ollles did not previously exist, new
Is tbst aIe created. There is a Latin maxim
q ra.. lNeVs a world of meaning, Isl Wis