The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-11-24
CURRENT COMMENT.


1t is questionable whether Mr..
4 Gorman's chances for the nomination
Il would be advanced by posing him rs
/ the man 10 down Old Cleveland
/ again. The country at large has more
/ admiration for and confidence in
/ Cleveland than German, and Mr..
i German might lose strength rather
/ than gain it by candidacy for the
L nomination predicted on q prejudice
| against the x-president.-Nash
/ Banner.
In his hastX recognition of the
/ government set up overnight at Pan
| ANA, we hold that President Roose-
Welt committed a grave error and set
/ precedent which may in the future
be productive of serious evil. To re-
duce so vital a question as the crea-
ton of a new and Independent state
by revolt within the domain of an
existing government to a mere ques-
ton of the day-to-day convenience
of a powerful neighbor nation is a
most dangerous proceeding
more Sun.
The New York World. freshly
emerged from its fall with Tom Platt
into the ditch of republican defeat in
New Y ork city, is now attempting the
coaching act for the national democ-
racy. Referring to Mr.. Bryan's recent
interview at the stage landing of a
European-bound steamer. The World
says: while Mr.. Bryan evidently
means mischief, the opposition TO Mr.
Cleveland expressed by some south
ern democrats need not be taken
very seriously. They may feel a little
unkindly now, but they will undoubt
edly support the ticket when it is
nominated, whatever it may be-" It
Is barely possible that The World and
such of our esteemed fellow citizens
who think it an oracle may find
themselves gnawing q file one of these
fine days because of their taking it
for granted that the views of south
ern democrats need not be taken Sc
riouSly." The democrats of the south
have sacrificed their own views and
desires SO often for the harmony and
welfare of the party that the dispo-
Sition to count them as mere pawnS
in the hands of the players has be-
come both preSumptious and often
sive- There is such a thing as push
ing contempt too far. There is such
q thing as playing the dragOOn one
time too many.-Atlanta COnstitu-
ton.
IN. varilla, the French minister
from the new Spanish-speaking re-
public of Panama, let the cat out of
the bag when, after being formally
received by President Roosevelt he
innocently mentioned the achieve
ment of the Panama canal as the
sole basis of the rapid series of recent
events in which he has played a
humble rt.''-Macon Telegraph.
What cat? Does anybody openly or
cOvertly deny that the shifty policy
of insincerity and greed on the part
of Colombia was one of the leading
grievances of the people of Panama?
There were many other abuses of
which they might justly complain,
but they were all of piece. The
bandit cry of Stand and deliver" has
been the uniform sentiment of the
parent republic in great things as we'll
as small. Now that it is too late, she
realizes her blunder and is ready to
come to terms. She has grasped at
the shadow and lost the substance.
She has lost one of her fairest prov
inces by her own stupidity. Atlanta
News.
The democrats of the senate are
divided upon the Panama
canal issue. After four hours of dis
cuSsOn in caucus it was developed
that there was an utter lack of unity
upon the question of the minority at
titude toward the presidents 18TH
lnldn coup ana lne caucus was du-
jOurned without a declaration of poi
icy and with a practical resolve to
leave the democratic senator's free to
act as individuals upon the matter.
1t is very disappointing that the dem
Gratis have shown such an utter lack
of inability to get together, but it is
gratifying that they took no rafrcn,
position upon the Panama issue. The
of Senator Bacon, of Geor-
gia. that the democrats should con !
denim the presidents action in accom- +,
plishing the detachment of Panama !
from Colombia. but should support i
the proposition to construct a canal |
under treaty with the new republic |!
when a convention is arranged was !
the most sensible policy !
proposed for the minority. but the |
radical element would not accept this :
It's a pity that such Il good OppOr- !
tunity for making political capital as !
the president has given in his start !
ling iSthmian coup should be passed |
by without proper employment. but /
it is better that nothing should be !
done than that a great blunder should /
be made.-CharlestOn Post.