The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-09-07
REPUBLICANS.

Thousands of times since he entered
President Cleveland's cabinet, eight years
ago, the Bryan newspapers and the Bry-
an orators have pointed TO him as the
clearest type of the business and politi-
cal life which they sought to destroy-the
man OF wealth and social position, the
corporation lawyer the oppressor of Ia
Dor Judged by their standards. the de-
fender of trusts according to their theo-
ries and even in recent months the advo-
cate of national expansion. The very
newspaper to which he sent his Bryan
letter denounced and lampooned him
through his whole service in the office OF
attorney general as the friend. advocate
and tool of the trusts. The Chicago
Democratic platform aimed straight at
Richard Olney when IL declared
1--WE denounce arbitrary interference
by federal authorities in local affairs as
a violation of the Constitution of the
United States and a crime against free
institutions. and we especially object TO
government by injunction as a new and
highly dangerous form of oppression by
which federal judges, in contempt of the
laws of the state and the rights of clti-
zens, become at once legislators, judges
and cxecutioners."
II was thus that the Democratic plat
form described the acts by which the rail-
road riots In Chicago and the West were
put down; the use OF United States sol
diers when demagogic governors like Alt
geld refused TO lift n finger for the
restoration of order: the resort 10 federal
courts for the punishment Of Eugene
Debs and his fellow conspirators: and II
was by and through the acts OF Richard
Olney. attorney general OF the United
states, that all work was done, that
riots so widespread as TO amount TO in
surrection were suppressed. that disorder
and mob rule were forced 10 yield to law
and justice.-Boston Journal.
Ia Il conceivable that this Is the Hon.
Richard Olney speaking? Altgeldism,
the professed intention TO overthrow
the barriers which the power OF the
federal courts interposes against organ
ized disorder. Is mere 'infirmity of
creed" not 10 be taken into serious ac-
count by the man who was attorney
general at the time OF the Chicago
riots Reputation and national dis
honor. as represented by Bryan, the
candidate who has declared that the
cold standard twill not be maintained
an this country longer than lam able
10 get rid OF IT," are no more than a
mere falling short OF perfection" in
Rryan as n candidate-perfection which
n would be an idle dream" TO expect.
Mr. Oincy's shame-faced evasion Of the
main issue seems 10 us less respectable.
morally and intellectually. than Carl
schurz's treatment OF the same question.
New York Sun.
But az to the reasoning by which Mr..
Olnev has undertaken to support his
political Instincts We are bound to say
that II r. not cogent not valuable. that
A will not convince anybody who is
not anxious TO be convinced. and that
moreover. Mr. Olney Is about the last
American citizen from whom. with any
propriety or consistency. II could have
proceeded.
For MIR. Oiney might lay very fair
claim 10 being the first American i'm
perIalIst. His article upon our indus
trial aud political isolation. published
I'm the Atlantic Monthly. which aroused
so extensive n discussion. I'm which we
ourselves remember taking not un-
friendly part was much more recon
ciiahic with tho policy or the admins
tration than with Mr.. oincy's own pres.
ent opposition 10 it.-New York Times.