Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-31
An Historical Parallel.

The St Louis Globe Democrat nnuS
in the cordial welcome given the Boer
emissaries by the Democratic leaders,
a parallel with the Genet folly perpe-
trated by the Democracy of over CEN
tury ago, and predicts that they VIII
be overwhelmed by the popular oppro-
brium now as they were then. Every
Intelligent reader of the papers sees
that the Democratic leaders are trying
TO use the Boer commissioners TOT
politicaI purposes. Democratic pollti-
clans took them in charge on their ar
rival in this country, and Democrats
have been directing their tour since
then as far as the visitors have per
mitted. A Democrat, or an assistant
Democrat, Allen of Nebraska, intro
duced a resolution in his branch of
Congress to give the commissioners the
privileges of the floor of the Senate.
and most Of the Democrats in that
chamber voted for the resolution,
which was promptly laid upon the
table by decisive vote.
A hundred years ago, the Democratic
leaders went wild over Genet, the min
lister of the French Republic to the
United States, and encouraged that i'll
balanced person to insult the American
government and threaten to appeal
from the American President. Wash
ington, to the American people. This
piece of idiocy brought Genet's career
to a sudden stop, for Washington told
the French government to send for
Genet, and that meddler was ordered
in the United States instead, gave up
his French citizenship and dropped
into Obscurity. Some of the Demo-
cratic mischief-makers are trying to
involve the Boer agents in some of the
indiscretons which wrecked Genet,
but they will probably fail. Thus far
the Boer commissioners have shown a
regard for the political proprieties. and
have not asked the American govern
obligations. There are Indications.
too, that they are beginning to grasp
the mistake they have made in per-
hitting themselves to be coached, or
to be under the suspicion of being
coached, by Democratic politicians.
President Mckinley and Secretary
HAY have made the position of the
United States plain to the Boer visit
ors. Both officials have treated the
but they have let them know that the
United States can neither intervene in
their behalf nor offer mediation here
after unless there is some evidence
that it would be agreeable to the Brit
ish government. As Secretary Hay
told the commissioners, the United
States has gone farther than any other
government in behalf Of the Beers. for
it has made an offer OF mediation,
which England politely but promptly
declined.
Both the President and the secretary
with as much consideration as was ac-
corded to kossuth on his tour in this
country half a century ago, and the
South Africans will appreciate what
has been done here for their cause.
Many Americans are in sympathy with
the Boers in their hopeless struggle.
now almost at an end, but
the United States government
has no right to express sym
pathy with either side. and it will not
do SO. The Democrats endeavor to
employ the Boer agents and the Roer
| American government will win the
contempt Of all friends of this country
and will call down a crushing rebuke
| from the American people at the polls
The Paris correspondent of the Phil
auclpnla Ledger, declares t1at the fIX-
position will not be fully completed
before the end of June. 1t is note
| worthy, too, that little is being report
ed about exhibits worth going to Paris
to see, though it is admitted that the
effect of the whole mass of buildings
| and of the decorations and illumina-
tions is impressive-or, will be, when
| all these things are in place and in
| good working order. Meantime, there
| is much disappointment among the
| Parisians at the slim attendance of
foreigners, and especially of Ameri-
cans.
| There are evidently lively times
ahead in the Celestial empire. The
mysterious and mighty organization of
| Boxers" is threatening the govern
ment. and foreign interests in China
| are anything but safe. The landing of
90 900 troops by Russia will not sim