The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-25
SIISUSING THE Fac.

It is already being reported that the
Republicans are disposed to repeat their
tactics Of 1895 in the direction Of monop-
olizing the nations flag, and using it for
a political label. From Lincoln, NeD.
comes the news that several large flags
bearing the pictures of Mckinley and
Roosevelt were hung across the principal
street, and if they had not been torn
down by a storm the federal statute for
bidding such Use of the flag would have
been invoked.
The correct impression was once gen
eral that the Stars and Stripes belonged
to all citizens alike, regardless Of political
or religious beliefs, and that all citizens
were equally Interested in promoting the
honor of the flag. Difference Of opinion
as to the administrative procedure af-
fecting the weRare of the nation can ex-
list without forfeiting the right of any
class to be regarded as honestly loyal;
but Stree Mark Hanna took hold of the
Republican party IN behalf Of the trusts
and the special private interests general
1y there has been introduced new code
OF loyalty. AS long as country was the
thief concern OF political parties, as long
as all were striving honestly to apply
party doctrines to the advantage Of all
people alike, the logic Of universal pro-
prietorshfp in the flag was too strong to
combat. Then no one dared to defile
the banner by appropriating it for the
exclusive glory of faction or of
party.
But from the Republican standpoint
the same logic does not now apply. Be-
fore the party looks once at the country
as whole 1t glances. ten times in the
direction of the trusts and the million
dollar special interests which it has pro-
NOTED and sustained at the expense of the
people. These are its particular care;
In them are wrapped its hopes and It's
fears, IN them the Justification of It's
existence and continued hold on the Of
fees. It is not strange that this gives
the party cross-eyed view Of patriotism,
and leads to an excess Of protest of in
nocence, the. evidence of which Is re-
vealed in the seizure Of the flag as ex-
elusive party property. This. misuse of
the flag means a guilty conscience; 1t
suggests an attempt at disguise. 1t Is
vain; 1t will do the party no good, for
the majority of citizens are only DIS
gusted at such display, and are able to
reason that If there existed any exclusive
representative OF loyalty and patriotism
among political parties. the distinction
would be conceded as & matter of course,
without any claims or protests from the
favored one,
Still. the action Itself amounts. to- a.
misuse Of the flag, as Well as an insult
to 1t and to every person outside Of the
Republican party. On top of all that, it
Is violation Of law which little COM
ports with what should be the dignity of
the administration Of a, great country
Protest is called for and IS legitimate.
and should come from decent Republican
journals as well as from those of the
opposition. Republicans should reflect
that the Inevitable logic of the matter
Is that the party which uses the flag or
designs thereof as a political advertising
poster has the least genuine regard for
it. To such party the flag Is a. cheap
thing