The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-09-23

ing the decision in Hepburn VS.. Girls
void, in which reversal 1t was held that
the legal tender act was constitutional
and valid as to contracts made both De
fore and after its enactment.
mond Dispatch.
Public sentiment in this country de-
| mandS a revision Of the tariff. The
democratic party has always been the
tarty of tariff reform since republican
| policies made tariff reform necessary.
On this issue the national democracy
should sweep the country in 1902 and
1904.-St. Louis Republic.
The withdrawal Of Speake, Hender-
son from the race for reelection is the
most suspicious event Of the year for
tariff reform. 1t indicates also that the
split in the republican party in Iowa
on this issue is a great deal more seri-
Gus than the republicans have been
willing to admit.-Coluinbia Stale.
DR.. Washburn's depletion of Theodore
Roosevelt as a David going out against
the trust Goliah is rather strained. The
Rough Rider does not fight quietly nor
with such an nostentatiouS weapon as
a sling; neither does he touch the trusts
in a vital spot. He is rather to be COM
pared with Sampson. Not that he Stays
with the weapon Sampson used at
Rameth-lehi but because he misuses his
| strength. And the republican party is
his Delilah.-Columbia State.
The president of the British Associa-
ton declares that his country is far
behind America and Germany in the ap-
plication Of modern teachings to- prac-
teal and business conditions. John
Bull has been holding himself up as the
best man on earth since the battle of
Waterloo-we hope he will allow his
conceit to evaporate without further
and more expensive lessons. Johnny is
| all right at bottom-lt is his surface
that has gone wrong, and he can take
lessons from his children in Australia,
New Zealand and Canada if he objects
to our lectures.-Florida Times-Union.
There is no longer any reason to
doubt that Mayor Tom Johnson of
Cleveland, O., is Mr.. Bryan's candidate
for the democratic nomination for
president. In the current number of
his paper, The Commoner, he says:
The influence eXerted by Tom John
son upon the party organization is a
wholesome one. He is strong, brave
and honest. His sympathies are with
the people, and he has the ability to
fight their battles with them. He is
open and above board in his methods,
and takes the people into his conf
dence." Further along in his articles
Mr.. Bryan says: Mr.. johnson vas not
an advocate Of free silver at 16 to 1, but
the Chicago platform had no more
earnest supporter because. he recognize
ed that the silver question was only
one phase of the money question, n
that the money question was only one
phase of the unending struggle be-
tween greed and human rights. Mr..
Johnson has not studied the none
question as thoroughly as he has stud
led some other questions, but
he is so devoted to the interests of the
people that he can be depended upon
to stand with them in the settlement Of
every question" This as high praise for
Mr.. Johnson, coming from such a
source. But will he feel complime1ted
by Mr.. Bryan's statement that he has
not studied the money question thor
oughly? 1t seems that Mr.. Bryan is of
the opinion that he himself has studied
that question so thoroughly that he is
qualified to pass upon Mr. Johnson's
acquaintance with it. In view of the
fact, however, that Mr.. Johnson,
though a comparatively young man,
has accumulated quite a number of
millions of dollars, starting in life as a
driver of a street car, it is a fair pre-
sumption that he has given a good deal
of attention to the money question:
Savannah News,
Recently the proposition that the
! south should permit members of the
SIdllu ATIHy OIL tNc fIeptthlc 20 cOIllTlp-
ute money to provide homes for eX-
confederate soldiers was made by Cen
eral Torrance, in chief of
the Grand Army of the Republic.
Throughout the south there is but one
opinion as TO this proposition. 1t can
not but be declined. Nevertheless, the
confederate soldiers, the sons of veter-
ans, the daughters of the Co~nfederacy
and the whole southern people can not
but appreciate the fraternal spirit
which dictated the action of the COM
mander in chief of the Grand Army of
the Republic. The true soldier has no
rancor in his hear for former foes who
demonstrated the force of their convic-
tons on the battlefield. General Tor
rance has shown himself a true soldier
in the generosity of his proposal made
in a spirit which is a bright example
of all observance, both north and south
Of Mason and Dixon'S line. The con-
federate cause Is a lost cause, and for
that reason its memory is the more sa-
cred. Sacred, too. is the old confederate
who at the call of his state and in her
defense marched forth to do battle in
the greatest war Of history. Because
the Quit lost, the care Of the Old con-
federateS who need care devolves upon
the southern states, In this, as fl all
else, the south has accepted the results
of defeat. The confederate soldier can
draw no national pension. Northern
assistance in any shape would be chart
~. 1t Is not needed. The south appre-
ciates the kindly feeling Of h offer
and recognizes in General Torrance a
friend who was a noble enemy.
But the offer can not be refused, as
the duty Of caring for the III confed-
crate soldiers is a high n sacred duty
which the south alone has performed
and will perform to the fuiI.-Houston
Post.