New-York tribune., 1907-01-31
An UYAPPRECIATED PROPHET.

The Hon. Charles A. Towne. who helps TO
represent this city IN the popular branch OF Con-
gress. seems to think that he is living ana
breathing illustration of the Biblical saying that
a prophet is not without honor save In his own
country. We have not heard recently from MT
Towne-nOt indeed, since he announced last
summer that he had decided to accept the sec
Ond place on the next Democratic natonai
ticket. As Vice Presidential candidate. al
ready designated by destiny, he may have
thought IL prudent to observe decOrous silence
on current topics, and, he explained to
Kansas City audience last spring, the powers
that be in the House of Representatives have
long since consplred 10 deny him either fair
hearing or q proper share OF leadership In that
body. But we were sure that neither the ObIga-
tOns of his candidacy nor the iron tyranny Oh
the House machine would be able to quench MT
TOwnes prophetic spirit or deaden his capacity
for selfappreciation. He knows he is sage
and a prophet, and nothing can prevent his oc-
casionally telling so.
Our dOmesticated Duluth statesman opened
his hear on Tuesday night at q gathering lin
Baltimore designed TO celebrate that citys COM
mercaI 1ecuperation. What Mr.. Townes
achievements political jeremiah have TO do
with BaltimOres present or future we cannot
say. but he seemed to think II appropriate TO
call attention 10 them In connection with other
causes for local cOngratulation. Mr.. lowne
shook hands with Baltimore He also shook
hands with himself. Six years ago, he said, he
had foretOld the passing Of republican institu-
tiOns and the coming Of despotism In this coun-
try. and 10! his prophecy had been entirely full
filed Here is what he told the astOnished Bal
timoreans:
Six years ago IN the Senate undertook 70
give my reasons against the United States hold
ing dependencies and colonies under the Con-
stitution. ! said then. and, although do not
wish to say Il told you So" I repeat what the
entire world confirms-never has government
held colonies except tyrennically, and no Presi-
dent OF the United States would be content long
20 be bound by restrictions at home who Is given
autOcratic privileges in another hemisphere. l
wish you TO listen TO this. and l don't IL
you like Il or not; II is Gods truth; II the pres
development. with power accruing 20 the
Chief Executive, continues. our government will
have changed so much that II Will partake of
government Of another nature-a government
by executive absolute.
We are on the verge OF "despotism." and Mr..
Towne is the man who first discovered II. lie
saw government by executive absolute
coming and, though he gave us warning we
did not heed f. Well. we can't all be prophets
and see things We should. perhaps have noted
the workings of government by executive alb
solute' in the failure of the Hon Charles F.
Murphy TO renominate' Mr.. Towne for Congress
last fall. The prophet of catastrophe is some
times It's first victim. New York has somehow
failed TO honor its adopted statesman and cOun-
sellOr. who knew II all" six years ago But
he is still at liberty electrify other and more
appreciatlve constituencies with his sensational
Il told you SOS"