The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-04-11
CHAMP QLI,A J I.lIta
Suggests That the Repub-
licans Read the Bible.
MIGHT HAVE GOOD EFFECT.
Calm the Troubled Spirits of
Warning Factions.

Warning Factions.
GRAVE CHARGE BY PARTY ORGAN
Says That Giving Free Trade to Por-
to Rico Would Deprive the G. o. r.
OF q Large Contribution to the
Campaign Fund Democrats Pre-
pairing For the Fray-Colonel Hep
burn In Sad State Of Mind.
Especial Washington Letter.]
My readers know that l have fire.
Quently disclaimed the dubious honor
Of being either the legal or spiritual
adviser Of the Republicans, but they
are now so badly torn up the back and
down the front, their minds are so dis
tracted, their hearts so lacerated and
their animosities toward each other so
bitter that as sort Of amicus curie
make bold to suggest to them an ex-
cerpt from q very old book whose very
existence they appear to have forgot
ten. The book Is the Bible. The writ
er Of the passage which l commend to
them was King David. If our Re-
publican friends cannot get together
on the Porto Rican matter, perhaps
they can rally round the One Hun
dred and Thirty-third Psalm, which
runs in this wise: Behold how good it
Is for brethren to dwell together in uni
ty" Senators Gallinger and Penroak
when they next give each other the lie
and have q notion to punch each 9TH
er's head, should think of that and cool
off; likewise General Grant and Mr.
Ray Of New York when the former let's
his angry passions rise because he is
accused on the floor of the house by
the New Yorker Of engineering a steal.
But the psalmist continues, 1T is
like the precious ointment upon the
head, that ran down upon the beard,
even Aaron's beard; that went down
to the skirts of his garments"
/ know that the Republicans are very
slow in turning their minds to religious
matters. but they may console them
selves with the history Of the laborer
who got to work in the vineyard at the
eleventh hour, provided they know
where to find that parable. There is a
chance that they may be forgiven If
they will let up in their devilment even
now.
Pride goes before q fall. In January
they were SO arrogant that they bra
zened out everything, however shame
full, even the Gage Hepburn CORE
spondence, which is a disgrace to ev.
erybody concerned. To every charge
they answered by quoting in effect
Boss Tweed's famous query, What
are you going to do about itY Now
they are wrangling, the air is full Of
examinations and recriminations, innu-
merable conferences are held, senators
threaten representatives, representa-
tives retaliate on senator's, and they ali
appear to be going to what Mr.. Manta-
lini euphemistically denominated 1.-The
demnition bowwows," Quarreling, ours.
ing. caterwauling.
Sets Them HOwlinE.
The latest thing to set them bowling
Is IN article in the Washington Star, a
great Republican newspaper, which
runs in this fashion:
'The action OF the Iowa legislature cannot At.
feet the situation in congress. The deal has been
made. 1t Is a matter Of money for the campaign.
and the tariff measure will be carried through"
This statement was made by Republican mem.
Der Of the house who supported the bill in the
house by his vote.
''You may as we'll set it down that the deal
will be carried out" he added. ''The carrying
out OF the recommendation OF the president for
| free trade with Porto Rico would have deprived
the party OF very considerable contribution.
The adoption OF the reverse policy insures q very
large contribution. The possible unpopularity O.:
the Porto Rican tariff was balanced against the
certainty Of money to use in the campaign, and
the decision was in favor Of the campaign con.
tribution. 1t was not expected that the storm Of
protest would be as strong as it is, but it is now
too late for . change"
The Washington Post, independent,
gOldbuggish. high tariff, pronounces
the above quoted article to be remark
able, not to say astounding"
Porto Rico Sacrificed.
Then The Post quotes the article
itself and adds this commentary.
which l advise oil my readers to lay
away for future use and reference:
1t is quite unnecessary to say to our local read
ers that The Evening Star is not q yellow jour.
nal or q sene-:ion monger or an irresponsible
purveyor Of scandal and excitement. II The Star
declares-as it docs in this instance-that mem.
Der OF congress has made the statement above
quoted. it is perfectly safe to assume that it
speaks the truth. The Star has everything to lose
| and nothing to gain by disseminating falsehood-
and We may add, upon our own notion that The
Star does not bear the reputation OF reckless or
unsupported statement. We feel that we are
warranted, therefore. in assuming that our es
teemed contemporary speaks with knowledge and
conviction when 1t quotes-if anonymously-a
member Of the house as declaring that the Porto
Rico tariff bill has been inspired by the detest
able and base purposes cf a campaign fund. To
say that is to say that the Republican party is
using the administration and the congress the
footpad exploits the defenscless wayfarcr-for