The Irish standard., 1901-01-26
THE TWO BX-PRESIDENrs.

The only eX-presidents of the United
States yet living are Grover Cleveland
and Benjamin Harrison, both of whom
are still in robust health of mind and
body. Though differing widely in poll
tics they both agree in antagonizing
the imperial policy of the present occu-
pant Of the White House by voice and
pen. Without disparaging President
Mckinley in the least, 1t is the concen-
sus Of public opinion that in COMPARE
son with either Cleveland or Harrison
he is a very small man. While he
may be called an adrOit politician of
the wobbling kind, the two ex-presi-
dents are statesmen of high order,
who are noted for their tenacity of
purpose and for not swerving from
American principles laid down in the
constitution of their country and in the
Declaration of Independence
1t is only a short time ago since
Benjamin Harrison, who is a lawyer of
pre-eminent ability, spoke against the
policy inaugulated by William McKin-
ley in Porto Rico, before the faculty
and students Of Ann Arbor university.
Michigan. Since then he has elal,o-
rated his views in an article in one of
the leading monthljcs and shows that
the new departure is pregnant will,
danger to republican institutions on
this continent
That his opposition to McKinlcy's
colonial government of Porto Rico and
the Philippines has created dismay in
the ranks of American impcrialists is
evident in the fact that his article has
elected comments of an uncomplimen-
tnry character from the hencllmcn of
Mckinley, but in no instance have tha
arguments of the great constitutional
lawyer been invalidatcd by the subsi-
died writers. One cannot but admire
the sturdy patriotism of BENJAMIN
Harrison in refusing to sanction tho
un-American policy of the plutocrats
who lave Nillinm Mckinley under
their thumb and use him for their own
selfish purposes at the expense of tho
blood and treasure of the American
people.
For declining to back up the maliyn
policy of Mckinley during the prcs-
dental campaign the little man in the
White House deprived his son of a
military commission in Porto Rico and
appointed the son of Justice McNenna
In his place. Such a petty act of vim
dictivcness towards Benjamin Harri-
son is worthy Of the Ohio politician,
hut whether the man whom he placed
on the supreme bench feels indebted
to him for his friendship at this june
turc remains to be seen when he votes
on the Porto Rican cases now pending
before the highest tribunal in the land.
Former President Cleveland, in point
of intellectually, is not the equal of
Benjamin Harrison. but he is certainly
the superior of William Mckinley both
rs a lawyer and statesman. AS an
American of infleXiblc backbone he sur
passes the little Napolcon-a fact
which is too automatic to need demon
stration. The Irish Standard is not
enamored or captivatcd with Grover
Cleveland, since he went out of office.
but it has never doubted his thorough
Americanism when the foundation
principles of the republic are at stake
or when the Monroe doctrine is imper-
Tiled at the instigation of British diplo-
mats.
1t was only last week that Grover
Cleveland for the first time gave en-
to his views on the foreign
policy of the Hanna Mckinley admins