The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-04-05

March, 1889. Only two other ex-presi-
dents increased their fame after quit
ting the White House. Thomas Jeffer-
son and John Quincy Adams. the for
mer by founding the University of Vir-
ginia and the latter by his II years
service in the house of representa-
tives. General Harrison does not need
the charity contained in the old Latin
dictum, DE mortuis nil nisi bonum."
In his case the simple truth is his best
eulogy.
General Dias.
While this great republic is in mourn.
ing for General Harrison our sister re
public on the south regards with MANY
misgivings the failing health CT Cen
eral Porfrio Diaz, president Of Mexico.
He is as truly the "father of his coun-
try" as George Washington is of
this. 1t is hardly stating the case too
strong to say that General Diaz created
the Mexican republic. Most assuredly
If he did not create it literally he has
preserved it and has lifted it to high
place among the nations Of the earth.
He is one Of the very few men in the
entire history Of the human race who,
selling the chief Office by main
strength and by revolutionary meth
DDS, have administered it for the bene-
fit of the people. True, his has been
the strong grip Of the eagles claw and
lions paw, but the Mexicans are far
bette: off that they otherwise would
have been but for the rule of General
Diaz for quarter Of century. He
has placed the institutions Of the re-
public on what appears to be strong
and enduring basis. 1t really would
be good thing If Diaz could live an
other quarter Of a century and he regu-
larry elected president every four
years. 1t is no wonder that the Mexi-
cans, who have so long leaned on his
strong arm for protection against riot,
anarchy and revolution and who under
his regime have for the first time en-
joyed the blessings Of settled gov
eminent, should be filled with appre-
hension at the prospect Of his early
death. The same Is true Of all who
are interested in the perpetuity of the
republic. So long as he is at the helm all
men know that peace and stability will
be the order of things beyond the Rio
! Grande. They are not so certain what
will happen among that turbulent peo-
pie when his masterful personality no
longer dominates. There may be others
worthy to carry on his great work.
Let us hope there are.
Next!
Senator Marcus A. Hanna possesses
one great virtue-he is not fool. When
a lot of Cheap John politicians began
to whoop it up for President Mckinley
for third term, hoping, no doubt,
thereby to gobble luscious slice of
pie, Senator Hanna at once and with
energy denounced the idiotic gable
as "stuff and nonsense" and said that
president Mckinley is too good pol
itician to make the mistake of suppos-
ing that he could overcome the unwrit-
ten law and succeed HIMSELF On
that proposition at least Senator Han
mas head is entirely level. 1t is no de-
traction from Mr.. Mckinley to say that
what was good enough for Washing
ton, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and
Jackson is good enough for him and
that an honor which the American peo-
pie refused to General Grant when the
great captain was fresh from his tri-
umphant tour of the world will not be
vouchsafed to any man of this genera
ton. Mr.. Mckinley is far too wise to
jeopardize his vast popularity by seek
ing the unattainable. So that matter
may as well be dismissed at once and
for all.
/ But the next question on which Scna-
tor Hanna was catechised is far more
important, and upon that he was not
SO frank by one-half or ninety-nine-
hundredths. That question was, "Who
will be the next Republican nominee
J for the presidency" Perhaps Inherent
and incorrigible modesty prevented the
senator from hurting out what must
unreservedly he would have taken the
reporters breath away by saying with
out any hedging or parlez-vousing:
/ "Ecce homoi" behold the many 1t is
safe to say that such bold declaration
would have thrilled the bread and but
ter brigade from the humblest private
in the rear rank to the most epauleted
man Jack Of them all. Such an an
nouncement would. in my Judgment.
have settled the nomination four years
In advance and saved divers aspiring
statesmen a world Of worry and an
ocean of sweat.
4 That's what l would have advised
Senator Hanna to do, but as he has
never called me to be his legal or polit-
ical adviser he will find himself in a
sea of troubles. Instead of boldly an
j 4,