Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-11-24

anu Europe is not mucn more either
republican or Cossack than when the
immortal Corsican demonstrated what
a poor prophet q great soldier may be.
That Russia has grown and is growing
is true, but why should that disturb
US? Are we not growing somewhat our
selves? Russia is making land grabs
in Asia, is she? Have we not acquired
by either conquest OF purchase, or
both, somewhere from 1900 to $500 is
lands in Asia and somewhere from
100000 to 100000 subjects in that
faraway and benighted region? When
did Russia make such a grab as that :?
The bishop beholds by the eye of fear
Russia swallowing China whole.
That's marvellous vision, but how can
he deny, judging the future by the re-
cent past, that We may not swallow
Russia and China both? When it
comes to the process of deglutition we
have somewhat Of capacity our
selves. But, seriously. suppose Russia
does swallow China-then what? How
will it hurt US? All we have to do is
to attend to our own affairs. Russia
will never bother US this side the judg-
ment day.
The New Leader Of the House.
Hon. John Sharp Williams was the
Democratic nominee for speaker and
therefore becomes ex otticio floor leader
Of the minority. ! cannot better rein
troduce him to my readers than by
quoting the following we'll considered
tribute to him by the Washington Post
independently:
The house Democrats have made no
mistake in choosing for their leader upon
the floor the Hon. John Sharp Williams
of Mississippi. 1t has been said of this
office at various times in the past that it
Is an empty honor. carrying with it nei-
Their power nor opportunity. The truth
Is, however, that the leadership Of the
minority is just what the individual in
cumbent sees fit or Is able to make it.
The function may be undignified and fool
ish or respectable and authoritative, &C.
cording to the character of the man who
represents it. So we say that the Demo-
Gratis have done well to select Mr. Will
liams as their guide.
This is not a man of froth and gesture.
He is no country crossroads demagogue
or sophomore orator. He has brains. and
three of the finest universities in the world
Tennessee. Virginia and Heidelberg
have informed and trained his mind.
When John s. Williams gets upon his feet
in the house of representatives-and 1t is
by no means an hourly or even daily
demonstration-he is always assured of a
respectful audience on both sides of the
aisle, for it has come to be known that he
il not in love with the sound of his own
voice. but that he speaks in truth and
soberness. His are serious aims. He is
OF conservative and grave purpose. In a
word. the Democrats have taken to them.
selves leader who can lead, a chieftair
whose title reads entirely clear. We con
graduate them.
There Is much that minority may do
even though it fail of achieving or even
influencing actual legislation. This is the
hour of making records. We are on the
eve OF a national election. and the two
great parties will next year appeal to ar
and corrupt. There are still many mil.
lions of enlightened and patriotic voters ir
this country, and there will be more as
time goes on. Leaders, both In the senate
and the house. can make or define issues
as the case may be. and much depends
upon the skill with which they do it. Mr.
Williams is in the position of an artis
or the outlines of the canvas, can never
theless direct and concentrate the high
lights at every critical and desired point
He can turn the blaze upon every in
conference and hypocrisy. He can foot
the dark places with the radiance of ex
posture and condemnation.
The moment is opportune The Demo
cratic possibilities are not to be classified
and measured at this time. but the worl
Is to be done. and in our opinion Mr.. Viii
liams Is the man to do 1t.
That certainly is highly compliment
tary, and add that the Democrats ii
the house appear to be In frame q
mind to lay aside all personal differ
ences and do the best thing possible fol
the Democrats and the Democratic
party and therefore for the country
Faction has been the bane of the party
Of late years. Get together!" should
be their slogan.
An Old Friend.
Lord Byron always contended thai
there had never been but seven origina
anecdotes in the world, and I am get
ting so that believe it. The Chicago
Chronicle very recently related the fol
lowing anecdote about Judge John G
Bell, for ten years representative II
congress from Colorado. One Of tn
first things remember in this life wa
the same identical anecdote relate,
about old Ben Halliday, the famou
astage driver in the mountain country
OF course. If Judge Bell said that i
happened to him it did so happen, 70
he is a man of perfect veracity. but i
1t did so happen to him as well as t,
old Ben 1t demonstrates that the mind
of stage robbers as well as "the mind
of great men, run in the same chan
nels. But here is what the Chronicle
says:
Ex-Congrcssman Eell used 30 tell stor
Of a time when he once got into gray
peril on account of his nose. He was sc
Ing to Leadville in the early days on
stagecoach which was held up by highway
men. The passengers We're ranged in
row outside with their hands up, the fl
miliar attitude being enforced by gu
in the hands of one of the men OF II
road while the other went through II
various pockets at his leisure. In II
midst of the ceremony Mr.. Bells nose b
gan TO 1tcn WIN tnat HlduoeuiiiS pc
/; sistency calculated to drive to insani
| or the grave if not relieved Involuntari
| his right hand began to lower itself to Il
seat of trouble.
..Hands up there. called the man behil
| the gun sternly.
His hand shot back into place but In
moment began to lower itself again.
''Whats the matter with your" inquir
the bandit. Are you anxious to becor
lead mine?"
my nose itches so can't stand 1t a
longer said Mr.. Bell. I've simply 6
to scratch It"
"No, you hain't," replied the agent. 81
cause Ill do 1t for you.'