Conservative *
M'KEMVAY ON HRYAN.
St. Clulr McKolwuy on Brynn'n Madness
AVIuit the Great Democratic Editor in
Brooklyn Thinks About the Sad
Democratic Prospects.
Mr. Bryan insisted ( in his Brooklyn
speech ) upon "referring to silver and
gold. " Ho said that he must refer to it
because if ho did not folk would say
that "ho had dropped it , " and he could
not afford to let them say that. This
insufficient reason , which was riotously
applauded , confirmed his capacity and
his determination to vindicate his per
sonal equation at the expense of the
wishes and to the cost of the defeat of
the democratic party , whose considera
tion toward him merited a bettor treat
ment.
And the vapidity of his pro-silver discourse -
course equalled the vanity of it. He
contended that a government stamp on
gold or silver or paper creates money ,
and that the greater the amount of cre
ated money the larger the per-capita
possession of it. A man who believes
that neither intrinsic value nor legiti
mate labor is the basis of money and of
the resources which enable money and
credit together to maintain solvency and
confidence , who believes that a mere
government fiat on metals or on paper
is the guarantee and insurer of values ,
of faith , of enterprise and of prosperity ,
can believe almost anything. As an
economist such a man is stnrk , staring
mad. As an orator he is a devourer of
wind and a fountain of fustian. As a
poet or a praucer he may be as melodi
ous as a harp , as graceful as a panther ,
or as cooing as a dove , but as a guide ,
a councillor or an executive he would
ruin his country , and the responsibilities
of government would require him to re
nounce his rhapsodies , if he did not die
in a mad-honsa.
There was no one who listened last
night to the plausible ravings of this
man who did not put over against them
and him the higher prices , the greater
industry and the abounding prosperity
which have followed on the better times
that themselves followed the defeat of
him in 1896. His theory that the best
money is the worst money and that the
most of the worst is the best for na
tions and for men is the quintessence
of nonsense and the climax of moon
struck delusion. If the democracy goes
that way it will deservedly go down the
steeps of dusty death.
The man is shallow. We think he is
sincere , but wo know that he is as light
as paper. He is fluent , but his fluency
is the vehicle of an agitator more inten
on applause than on reform. He has a
pleasing person and an attractive voice
but both are the servants of a manner
essentially that of an actor and of arts
out of rise anywhere except on the stage
and , fortunately , disappearing there be
fore the light of culture , of naturalness
and of study. Ho has made more capi-
; al on fewer resources of statesmanship
; han any other capering compound of
hortatiou and of histrionism in modern
imes. That ho was over nominated for
; ho presidency proves a dispensation
vith reason and with judgment that
ought to be incredible. That he will be
nominated for it again is likely , but
; hat will only prove a poverty of man-
lood resources in working democracy
and a destitution of capability for great
actions and for great honors on the
> art of that organization which will be
amentable and which ought to bo im
possible. He is just as certain to be
overwhelmingly defeated , if nominated
again , as he will be certain to be inelig-
ble for further honors here the day
after his death.
It may bo that one of the two great
mrties is fated to play the role of a
diverting comedian in a serious period
of American history. It may be that
the democracy is fated to suffer that
melancholy and belittling distinction.
[ f so , more's the pity for the party , but
less need be the sorrow for its candidate ,
if that candidate is again to be found in
iho airy , voluble and self-confident bo-
hemiau who confounded politics with
opera bouffe up and down the stage
of the Academy on Friday night.
Brooklyn Eagle.
We like to have
are a "business
people and that we do things in a businesslike
ness-like way. The way in which many
private and incorporated commercial es
tablishments are managed justifies the
belief , and there is an always increasing
demand that public affairs be adminis
tered with the same regard to economy
and effectiveness that a man bestows
upon his private concerns. One of the
most hopeful signs of progress in this
direction is the agitation that is now on
foot in favor of reform in the system by
which our business interests are looked
after abroad. And if all that one hears
is so it is certain that notable changes
are much to be wished for. Scandalous
tales are told of some of the individuals
who , by accident or favor , find them
selves representing the United States as
commercial agents in foreign parts.
It is hard to condemn as too visionary
the reformers who propose to secure leg
islatiou , which shall require men who
are hired and sent abroad to push Amer
ioan trade , to know some language beside
side their own , particularly that of the
land to which they are sent ; and also
to have some ' 'knowledge of the com
mercial resources of the United States , '
as the bill now before congress says. Am
furthermore requiring those who are
located in certain Oriental parts , where
the native courts are not entrusted with
oases involving foreigners , but offenders
or litigants of other nationalities are
> rought before their respective consuls
or judgment , to bo acquainted with
ome of the rudimentary principles of
aw.
It is not so by any means at present ;
n fact , we stand alone among the na- \ jj 1
ions with a consular system a hundred
years old. Wo desire to have a man to
ook after and if possible extend our
irade in some foreign district , but the
man whom we send thither and pay a
salary for that purpose is some one who
has rendered services in a political cam
paign , some youngster who is ambitious
; o see the world or some impecunious
citizen whose wife needs a sea-voyage
for her health's sake. Whether he has
any knowledge of affairs or not is left
quite out of consideration. Others again
are , or have been , appointed because of
literary achievements. Literature does
not always provide bread and butter ;
genius must not be left to starve ; but
our republican institutions do not per
mit pensions to poets laureate or other
word-smiths , so we send them to sell
our locomotives and protect our travel
ing citizens among the nations. Some
very funny combinations have resulted
funny at least to those not directly
interested.
So now it is proposed that we shall
tiave no consuls under 25 nor any new
ones over 45 years of age , and that
they shall be chosen from among such
as have , in competitive examination ,
shown that they are to some extent able
to render an equivalent for their sala
ries. As these salaries range from $1600
to $8,000 a year , it will be seen that , with
the service placed on a more creditable
footing and positions made less precari
ous than at present , they will offer not
only honorable but profitable careers to
any of our young men for whom Amer
ica is not good enough.
The reforms herein touched upon are
embodied in House Bill 7097 and Senate
Bill 2G61 , now before committees ; they
are backed by the National Business
League of Chicago , and the Chambers
of Commerce of New York , Cleveland
and other cities ; and any one who can
turn a stone in their favor , by writing a
letter or otherwise , will be doing his
mite to advance the nation's prosperity.
SPEARFISH CANON.
This is God's jewel cnskot , inter-lined
With white nnd fleecy velvet fold on fold
And filled with flashing diamonds set in gold
More precious than a mortal over mined.
A thousand pearls are strung on silver chains ,
A thousand silver amethysts are seen
With fllmy Ineo nil gathered in between.
And rubies shine like vivid crimson stains.
The gleaming opal with its heart of flre ,
And em'ralds such as never monarch wore ,
The sapphire's melting blue , forever more
Invite the world to wonder and admire.
Above them all a turquoise cover falls ,
Besot with kohinoors wond'rous . size
And barred with onyx of carnelian dyes ,
To guard the treasure hid within the walls.
RlCHUY.
Iron Creek , S..D. , Ecc. 2 , 1EC9.
