The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-09-08
HdLsTEAD's REMfRKABLE ADHlS-
SION.

Readers Of the daily dispatches are
familiar with the episode in which
Murat Halstead figured in the course
OF his lecture before the Ecoromic
club of Cincinnati The whole affair
was Of a humorous cast; in fact, the
bumor Of the situation originates in
the bare suggestion Of the possibility
OF the organization OF a club Of real
economists Ia Cincinnati. where the
weight and price of hog are Of more
Importance and interest than any
theory OF wages and rents and things
Of that kind This, however, we need
not discuss. There are matters con
nected with the Halstesd episode
which afford wider field Of suggC 81
tion and comment. One Of these may
be called a side issue, but its relation
is due 10 the heated discussion which
Mr., Halstead aroused, IL seems tha.
before he became an expansionist or
an imperialisS, Mr.. Haistead went to
the Philippines, or at least part Of the
way there, and the result Of that
journey was a book. 10 this book
the praises OF the Filipinos were
very loudly sung, and the anti ex
psnsionists in Cincinnati were quick
10 call attention TO the fact that ht
was fatterinR the Filipinos when he
wrote the book, and that he is slander.
ing them now.
To this charge Halstead made a def
mite reply which, II satisfactory to
him, certainly should be satisfactory
to his opponents. THE LEADER
has placed many guessing contests be-
fore its readers for their pleasure and
profits but we venture to say that the
best trained and most acute guessel
would never ia a thousand years hit
upon Halstead's explanation. To pre-
vent suspense, we VIII add that he
admits that he had Intentionally not
told the truth in his book, " his excuse
being that, at that time, he thought
we should not be making war on the
natives
The admission is perhaps more as
founding than the fact admitted
Here is man Of undoubted ability
who is willing TO contradict himself in
order to maintain what, in the nature
OF things, is mere opinion as to a
policy or experiment. Hereafter what
statement can Halstead make that the
public will be willing to accept2
Cardinal Newman wrote book To
defend himself against the charge OF
saying one thing and meaning an
other, and in doing SO contributed to
the pleasure and delight Of all who
admire the English tongue but here
is Halstead admitting that he inten-
tionally wrote what was false in order
TO poPularize an opinion Such a state
OF things Is so confusing to the aver.
age mind, and is such serious diverg-
ence from that line Of condrct which
Pagan moralists as well as Christian
theoiogians have laid down as right
and proper, that we shall have TO
divorce Characterization from COM
ment, leaving the former TO be employ
ed by those who believe or imagine
that they have a grievance against tins
great Republican puLlicist.
We may say, however, that the affair
has bearings and relations which will
enable those who think for themselves
to view many questions in light more
favorable TO their vision. In short.
the aspect in which Halstead intro
duces himself anew to the public
sheds very brilliant illumination on
the methods and operations by which
the leading Republicans are endeayor.
ing 10 commit the people OF this coun.
try 10 schemes and plans altogether
alien TO our history and our institu-
tiops. We may perceive, as it were,
the pulsations Of the eunningly devised
machinery which few minds are mis-.
taking for public opinion.