Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-12-23
EDITORIAL

The following just and intelllgen'
criticism of McKlnley's message j
from the pen of Francia Bellamy, edl
tor of the Illustrated American, o
New York:
Some signs OF real progress appea
in the Presidents message.
The people had awaited it with
deeper interest than is ordinaril
aroused by the annual messages o
our presidents. At most critica
period OF national transition and un
certainty it was expected TO contail
few keyuotes for clearer future.
When it came it brought 10 th
country both reinsurance and disap
pointment.
The first burst OF opinions upon !
being past, the country can now re
gard its salient features in calm per
spective.
For one thing, it confirms the peo
pie in their opinion of President Nc
kiDley as man whose theory is tina
the executive ought to be modes
follower OF what he believes is thu
popular opinion of his party ratheI
than an oracle to lead it. Mr.. Cleve-
land represented the former idea. Mr.
Mckinley, both by nature and by
long training in congress, is a presl-
dent not likely TO try extensively II
captain either the national legisla-
ture Of his party.
Neverless, where his deeper mora
conyictlons are, there he speaks with
nnquestiolable clearness.
The approval Of the idea OF inter
national arbitration will strike kin
dred chord in many distant land.
1t is the first instance in history
where the head Of mighty empire
has proclaimed in So high an otficia
address his, and a peoples, aspiration
for the practical application of prin
ciple, hitherto regarded as the dream
OF "A poet
This is a great gain, far strid
forward, almost leap into the light
Another point OF equally high nott
in this message is its reaflirmatioc o
allegiance to civil service reform.
This may be fairly deemed a direc
thrust at the bossism that has dis
graced American politics 10 the las
thirty years.
That the spollsmen so take 1t Is clea
from the attack insanity made OF
this section of the message by Gen
eral Grosvenor, Republican repre-
sentative from Ohio, which called
forth ringing rebuke from Repub-
lIcan Representative Johnson from
Indiana, aud a sarcastic complimen
from Bailey OF Texas, the Democratic
leader.
Another note of progress, though
not so distinctly sounded, is found
IN the Presidents suggestion OF The
possible necessity for the United State
asa creditor, to buy In and operat
the Kansas Pacific Railroad.
While the president does not de
clare himself In favor Of gOvernmen
ownership and operation of railways
il is not difficult TO read between tn
lines that such may be his desire.
There are, IL must be regretfull
admitted, serious omissions in thi
document.
The dangers of foreign immigratio
are CLOSED over in too ready OF
ti,nlsm of temperament. The estal
lishmert Of postal saying-banks pa
ticularly recommended by SecretaI
Gage as an encouragement for n
small savings Of thegpeople receive I
Endorsement from the President.
EBut, on the contray, he comml
himself 10 an extraordinary poll,
that would increase the powers az
lessen the responsibilities Of the D
tlonal banks.
And in relation TO Cuba a slranI
blindness seems 20 make him unab
20 comprehend that the two yeaI
desperate struggle Of that brave po
ulation has not yet attained TO q
lawful dlgnity..Qf war" The pla
people Of the Unitcd States are We
conservative, but they are vastly ir
tated by what is beginning TO To-
like pusillanimous fear OF the pi
sibility Of Spanish vengean
upon US.
Nevertheless, In considering doc
ment whose compositian must ha
been one OF the most difilcult tas
ever imposed upon a president, /
country should be thankful that
many signs OF progress can he fou
ia this momentous state paper.
At the same tlme--would the
were more The illustrated Ann