The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1897-06-16
IRIS 4 GOOD INVESTMENT
Thinks Walter WeIlman of the Pur-
chase of Alaska.
Mr.. CHANCES NOTIFICATION.
An illustration of Personal Honor
and Dignity Upheld in Ken
lucky, Scene at
Mr.. CHANCES MORTIFIcATION.
THE DEATH OF COL, GOODLOE

WASHINGTON. June 15.-[Special. J.
Now that there is so much talk of tho an
nexation Of Hawaii and possibly the ostab-
lishnent Of a prOteotorate over Cuba dur
ing the Mckinley administration 1t is
worth while to note the remark recently
made by distinguished senator. He said
the United States had never yet made
bad Investment in territory. Every bit of
land that we had acquired, whether by
purchase or conquest, had added to the
greatness and glory of the country. "Our
investments In Florida, in Louisiana, and
even in Alaska, turned out to be most for
tunate," said the senator. 81 well remem-
Der how bitterly opposed many of our most
eminent men were to the payment of 81
600, 900 for Alaska. E. b. Washburne,
General Grants great friend, opposed the
bill. General Butler made characteristic
speech, in which he secuted the idea that
we should pay this sum out of considera-
tions of friendship for Russia. If we are
to pay this price as usury on the friendship
of Russia, said Butler I'VE are paying for
1t very dear indeed.
A Good Bargain.
81 remember that at one moment II look
ed as IL the bill to purchase Alaska would
be defeated. 1t would have failed as pure
business proposition, for no one believed
the country was worth having. 1t was
only because Russia had offered 1t to us MS
a mark of her friendship and because ii
was feared that it would be exceedingly I'M
gracious in us TO refuse II that the opposi-
ton finally gave way. General Nathaniel
Banks was then the chairman Of the COM
mittee on foreign affairs in the house, and
he made speech which attracted great
attention. He pointed out that Russia
had been our friend for hundred years;
that at every step of our history, from 1880
TO the moment In which he was speaking,
Russia had shown her great regard for
this country.
81 will mover forget one passage of this
speech. In the darkest hour Of our peril,
said General Banks, during the rebellion,
when France and England were contem-
plating the recognition Of the Confederacy,
the whole world was thrilled by the ap-
pearance in San Francisco harbor OF a
fleet Of Russian warships, and nearly at
the Same time, whether by accident or de-
sign, second fleet of Russian naval YES
sells appeared in the harbor of New York.
From that hour France on the one hand
and England on the other receded from
their position and the American govern
ment regained its position and power.
Now asked General Banks, shall we
fout the Russian government in every
court In Europe as a mark Of our apprecia-
tlon for Its friendship This speech car
ried the day. The bill was passed Alas
ka became part Of the United States,
and Is today, as 1t long has been, territory
from which our people take every year
many times the original cost about which
so much fuss was raised in congress. That
was case In which it paid to be goner-
ous."
A Question OF Caste.
John W. Foster, formerly secretary of
state, but now our special commissioners
TO England for the purpose of trying TO
snyo some of Uncle Sans valuable prop
erty In Alaska, the seal life, once told me
queer story about Ii Hung Chang. IL
appears that when the great Chinese states
man was wounded by pistol shot at the
hands Of Japanese fanatic Ii Hung
Chang was so mortified that he wanted TO
commit suicide. Ho had himself done
nothing disgraceful, but his person had
been touched In violence by the hand Of
low caste man. In the traditions OF the
orientais this Is disgraceful. The noble
who Is thus tainted wants to die In order
10 wipe the stAin-a AMY. IL was necessary
fop sol0e slays 20 watch tho aged statesman
TO make sure that he did himself no harm.
Mr.. Foster and others labored with him
10 convince him how foolish was tho no
tiOn that because a miscreant had attempts
ed his life nc should feel Inundated and
disgraced. Ia Hung Chang finally recoy-
ored from tho hurt TO his pride as well a.
from the Injury TO his person.
Something like this idea prevails In our
own country. Down In Kentucky, where
onyalierish ideas OF personal honor and
dInnily obtain 10 this day among the well
born mon, thore - feeling that ono Is
dlsgraoed II an enemy touches him with
his hand. An aftront OF this sort u never
forgiven. An elaboration OF the same idea
- found an the Kentucky code which re-
qulfos the 10 70 bo avenged IN blood. Hap
PLY this tradition Is not ns strong now a.
Il was years ago. hut 4 wa only . very
abort unc a1o that hI4h I,'n1ed. i1aanIi-