The Hesperian / (Lincoln, Neb.) 1885-1899, April 15, 1891, Page 4, Image 4
THE II E S T E R I A N. CURRENT COMMENT.- m m m The action taken by the prime minister of Italy in recall ing that country's representative Irom Washington, was quite startling in these times of peace. Newspaper talk imme diately became rampant. Speculation was rife as to what the recall signified. Nothing of any importance could ! learned from Secretary Blaine. Sensational newspapers gen erally predicted that war would follow. Every person ol common sense saw at once that all talk of war was ridiculous. True, Italy has some mighty iron clads of the most approved pattern. Her fleet is the thiul lnigest in the world; but on the other hand, the United States has something of a fleet, something of a naval reputation, and some millions for defense. Italy, moreover, is as poor as a 2000 mile tramp. Ucsidcs this her hands are full in handling her relations with the rest oi Europe. The war cloud in Europe needs but an opportunity to burst forth, and to use a slang but expressive word, "bust" the nations for a hundred year to come; and so it is execcdinly silly to think of Italy's making war upon the United States. War with the United States would bank rupt Italy hopelessly. The cost ol the war would forever and be enormous and then, too, the loss to Italy of American tourists is a financial matter of no small importance. If, then, Italy cannot stand a war, what sense can there possibly have been in taking an action generally understood to be the next thing to a declaration of war? There was no sense in it. The prime minister ol Italy simply attempted a bold game ol bluff to bring the United States to its knees. In so doing, he has laid himself open to the justfiablc charge ol perform ing a gross act of discourtesy. With woise than unseemly haste Di Kudini to wait (or our government to make a suit able investigation of the unfortunate aflair. He was in a pet and must do something to ease himself and his fiery brigands. Such a foolish act on the part of the Italian government merits nothing but contempt. Di Rudini, prime minister of Italy has made of himself a consummate ass. As such his name will, and should go down to posterity. There seems to be much fear among those acquainted with the circumstances and the conditions that there will be another Indian outbreak this spring. It is claimed that the causes of trouble arc as much present as they were last fall. Father Crafts has written that the Indian outbreak was merely temporarily suppressed and that no steps have in any way yet been taken to eliminate the cattsas belli He would have the Indians handed over to the war department that the jobbery of the Indian agents may be stopped; that the Indians .nay receive their proper and intended rations and supplies, and that the United States government may keep its faith in every particular, just as a supposed civilized and Christian country should. It is feared now that if the Indians break forth again, the friendiy ones will join and that the war then will be no light matter. Tn case of such a struggle, the cadets may have a chance of camping on the trail of Indians instead of beside some flowing stream in a grass covered vale filled with tall and shady trees. There would be no charming maidens to help to while awaythc listless hours. The gleam ing, straight line of manly martial iorms on dress parade would not there be formed before an admiring throng of gay youth and pretty maids. All about there would be' danger. The frequent hawk would constantly hover and circle as if in anticipation of a future rich feast. There the eye could look nowhere but to see the bare, rolling, and neverending prairie. True, it would be warm weather. So much the better for tlic Indian. He then could have food for himself and his beasts, something which he could not get in the bleak winter time. Altogether the promise of another Indian outbreak is anything but a delightful one. M01 cover, war with the Indians can be at best but a slnughtcr, and that, too, in many cases of helpless mortals. What a dark picture in future his tory will the record of our Indian wars make! No new cases arc needed to add to its gloominess. Secretary Rusk of the department of agriculture is, accord ing to the reports, working hard for the American hog. He has been using his best endeavors to get Germany to take off the embargo on that grunting product of the American farm. Newspaper rcpoits seem to show that he has ncaily suc ceeded. The agreement is to be made that Amciican pork shall be microscopically inspected. Germany then can have no possible objections to our gruntcr in the bulk. Before Bismark, the now dctempcred iron chancellor, placed the embargo on American pork, the industry of exporting that article was an immense one. Then raising hogs was one ol the most profitable parts of farm work, especially in the west. Hut the American pork-packers became too greedy and in sending out diseased meat shut off the markets of Europe from this staple product of our farmers. But if now, by a system of ligid governmental inspection at the slaughter houses themselves, American poik can gain access to its former European markets, pig will "boom." In a fair and a free race, the American hoc will lead the world. He has everything in his favor. His future will be a brilliant one as he grunts complacently yet exultingly in his humble sty while his farmer-owner smiles with infinite satisfaction and throws him an extra allowance of corn. Fat may he grow and ever may he' thrive! Voting in accordance with hc new ballot law is undoubt edly successful to a gratifying degree in this state. Never was there seen such a quiet and orderly election in Lincoln as the one had April 7. There was no crowd about the polls. Consequently swearing, smoking, and drunkness were unheard and unseen. Any lady might vote without losing her self-respect in the least. Surely under this ballot law hencclorth men cannot allege as a reason why women should not vote, that the polls are unfit for women, nor can women longer allege it as an excuse. There must be some other reason or excuse hereafter. One advantage to the community of the new ballot law is that it saves wealth. Now men can find no excuse or inducement for hanging about the polls all day. This waste oj time is almost wholly stopped by the new law. Hence the community is the richer. One most excellent thing nbout the new system is that it tends at least to place honest and honorable men on an equal looting with rascals and with politicians. The good resulting from this is seen in oar municipal elections. Respectable men, irrespect ive of parties, have forged to the front. The conscience of the people has been allowed to work by itself. That it will under such circumstances work uprightly has now been shown. Its real and sterling qualities are now apparent. What a pity that the conscience of the people had not been given as favorable an opportunity last fall at the amendment election! Probably the new ballot-law will not be used to any extent by any party as political capital. In summing up what the last legislature has done, no prominent place, it is likely, will be given to this measure. Possibly this may be accounted for by two reasons: it was generally agreed to by all parties, and no party felt especially interested in it. Yet of all measures passed or introduced, there was none whose effects would be as far-reaching and withal as beneficial as they will be from this law. The .credit for its passage must lie with the independents; for they were in the majority and BOfiihiSHfiiiiH'' i '"'"'' '" giiSgi ,yyyxvT,w"w'i"ir,t-t i-Npfr wr?T"