P 5
The notion of the
THE GEUMAN . . .
reichstag in ex-
MEAT WILL.
eluding American
meat from Germany is an object lesson
for the American farmer. It calls at-
teutiou to the mistaken ideas that have
prevailed in this country relative to
commercial legislation. It brings home
in a forceful way the iniquity of our
protective policy. Special privileges
conferred by means of tariffs have made
possible the forming of powerful com
binations which raise prices and stifle
competition. The farmer is the victim
of the extortion of those protected com
bines and their extortion is only possible
because of the favors extended by the
government.
Protection works another and perhaps
greater injustice to the American pro-
E Vect of Protection.
have a foreign
market for our surplus agricultural
products. But how can we expect the
markets of the world to be opened to us
when we maintain a policy of exclusion
and isolation. If we keep the products
of foreign countries from our markets
they will retaliate and keep us from
theirs. If we continue our policy of
protection and restriction we must sub
mit to the inevitable and suffer re
taliatory measures such as have been
adopted by Germany. THE CONSERVA
TIVE hopes that the action of the
reichstag will be sufficient to indicate to
the American farmer where his interests
lie. It is to be hoped that he will discern
that his welfare is irreconcilable with
the protective system which not only
fosters trusts but , as is now plainly
evident , deprives him of the benefits of
a foreign market.
THE TROUBLE WITH KENTUCKY.
One of Kentucky's most honored sons ,
in speaking of the political chaos exist
ing in the blue grass state , said that ,
"the trouble with Kentucky is that the
Bryan movement sent all the old-
fashioned democratic party managers to
the rear and turned the organization
over to a lot of adventurers , unequal to
the task of administering good gov
ernment , even if they had the inclina
tion to do so. Events have not en
couraged the belief that they have any
other inclination than that of keeping
themselves in power through any
methods they may find available. "
This is a reasonable explanation of
Kentucky's decline in national respect
and prominence in national life. Oar-
lisle , Lindsay , and a host of others ,
whose names stand for culture and
statesmanship , have been supplanted by
men of inexperience and incapacity.
They have given place to political ad
venturers , of whom "Colonel" Ohinu
is typical. These modern leaders ,
creatures of political accident , failing
to maintain their political supremacy by
reason of competency and real merit ,
"keep themselves in posver through any
methods they may find available. "
The Anhliuxl District.
The former intellectual strength and
vigor that were characteristic of Ken
tucky men in public life and the de
plorable mediocrity of the present
leadership are strikingly portrayed by the
following contributed to the Evening
Post of Louisville :
"The arbitrary action of the Ashland
district ( Seventh ) Committee in ruling
that only those who supported Mr.
Goebel would be allowed to participate
in the primary on June 27 reminded the
writer that this historic Congressional
district truly historic in the character ,
ability , eloquence and influence of its
representatives is surely degenerating
in its leadership , or else forgetting the
liberal policy of those who gave tone ,
reputation , standing and honor to its
name. No Congressional district in the
Union has been represented by abler
men ; no district , with the exception of
three or four , has equaled the Ashland
in the influence and high character of its
representatives. When reflecting on the
history of this district and its members
in Congress , we are fascinated and also
greatly pleased at the historic group of
names looming up like Alpine peaks in
the political atmosphere of the proud ,
imperious , chivalric and liberty-loving
people of Bourbon , Fayette , Woodford ,
Owen , Franklin , Scott , Henry and Old-
ham counties , now constituting the
Seventh , or Ashland , district. The dis
trict has been changed as to the counties
at different times , but those just named
have in a great measure formed the dis
trict and preserved its identity.
"Proud Ashland 1 Well
may we re
view the political past of lofty ideals
and able men , if it be only to cry aloud
at the degenerate present , n present
seemingly anxious to trail your banner
in the dust. Not to attempt anything
like an historical order , let us call the
roll of many now in the Elysian fields of
the blest ; of others , relegated by part
isan frenzy or personal preferment due
someone for "active service" in ma
chine politics : Henry Clay nomen
clarum et venerabile greatest of all
KentuoMans , he whose fame , patriotism
and eloquence have given most renown
to this state ; the "Great Commoner , "
whose noble conduct , commanding per
sonality , marvelous oratory , unaided by
the schools , whose striking individuality
and magnetism would have made him a
leader of men in any age or any country.
He for many years was the representa
tive of the Ashland district , and the
name "Ashland" was given to the con
gressional district he represented from
his historic home near Lexington.
August beyond the reach of detraction ,
of criticism or calumny is the glory of
his name.
Cluy and Rlurulmll.
"The rival of Clay in oratory , his
superior in ornate , elegant diction , a
superb classicist whose greatest faculty
was that of an inexorable logician , con
ceded by many to have been the greatest
Kentucky orator of any age ; the
scholarly , profound , unequaled and un
surpassed Thomas F. Marshall , he , too ,
in the long ago (1840)added ( ) more luster
to this famous district. These two
names alone would suffice to baptise any
state or district into an immortality of
glory , but many others worthy to take
their places followed. Richard M.
Johnson slayer of Tecumseh whose
courage in battle was as conspicuous at
the Thames , as were his handsome
talents as a national legislator , on the
floors of Congress , or his service as Vice
President and Speaker of the Senate.
Johnson also left the impress of his
imperishable fame on historic Ashland ,
while he honored the county of Scott.
Need I name Humphrey Marshall , of
Henry county , whom Horace Greeley
pronounced one of the most intellectual
men of America , or his kinsman , Dr.
Alexander K. Marshall of Jessamine ,
the former a man of unquestioned vigor
and attainments , the latter also a credit
to his name. Or must we recall the
peerless , the matchless , the handsome
and intrepid John Oabell Breckinridge ,
whose noble presence and striking in
dividuality , whose graceful eloquence
and commanding figure , stamped him
with the veritable impress of "a king of
men , " a king , by royal kindness and
gentle courtesy of bearing , winning all
hearts by a sincerity of purpose and a
sympathetic tenderness for his race and
kind ; a man , indeed , "without a model , "
who , as congressman , vice-president , or
Confederate chieftain , honored every
position he filled by unsurpassed abilities ,
and left a name beloved , unstained and
cherished by all the nation. Nor must
we forget another , who differed from
Breckenridge on the question of seces
sion , John J. Crittenden , "a man in
ferior to no other of his day in the men
tal strength that addresses itself to the
judgment , in the shining talents that
captivate and lead the minds of men , in
the manly virtues that win our enduring
affections , or in any of the graces that
fascinate and charm ; a man made even
more illustrious by his patriotism , in the
hour of national peril , than by his cour
age in battle , or his forensic victories. "
How could we pass you by in silence ,
James B. Beck , sou of old Scotia , trans
planted into the nodding bluegrass of
Ashland , from the heathered hills of
Scotland , home of Burns ; with your
left-handed gestures driving home , like
a triphammer your right-minded , logical
arguments.
John C. Brecklnrlilge.
"This adopted Scotchman became one
of the very ablest of representatives and
senators Kentucky has ever had. Brutus
J. Clay , of Bourbon , son of the fearless
Green Clay , who won his title by noble