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had no comprehension of the fact that laws that produced
fairly good results within the narrow limits of a Grecian re
public or oi old Rome, might work sad havoc when used to
govern a great nation like France. Relieving implicitly in
the existence of a Lycurgus or a Romulus, they found therein
support for their belief in the efficacy of paper constitutions
drawn up by some omnipotent hand. Enough has been said
to show that the extreme credulity of Robespierre and his
contemporaries with reference to the post, colored all their
speculation and had a direct influence in bringing upon
France the horrors of anarchy.
In the vast upheaval that resulted in the destruction of insti
tutions that had existed for centuries in France, many strange
personages arc met with: a Mirabcau, personally so corrupt,
yet arousing one's admiration by his unsurpassed native abil
ity and his manifest desire for his country's welfare; a Marat,
a madman, the instigator of a general massacre; a Danton,
of massive energy, Uic organizer of committees afterward so
infamous, a man who, nevertheless, had a heart; and lastly
a Napoleon, beholding the way prepared for his comprehens
ive dictatorship. Hut none of these developed so dangerous
a policy as did Robespierre. Marat was too repulsive, too
blatant, to be allowed to wield for any considerable time the
supreme power. Mirabcau and Danton were not, like
Robespierre, an idea incarnate; each had human sympathies
which often checked them. Napoleon knew other ways of
governing than by the aid of the guillotine. Hut the wily
Robespierre, so "incorruptible" so assiduous in his flattery
of the mob, built up for himself a power more pernicious than
any other man was capable of wielding. With reference to
him all mankind cannot help being of one mind; he was a
monster whose daily food was human beings. May his like
never be seen arain.
CURRENT COMMENT.
A late invention by a young Italian engineer has suc
ceeded in settling the question of submarine navigation.
The Italian has invented a spherical vessel that may be
moved abont on the surface of the water or sunk to any depth
in the sea. The machinery, placed in a room inside of the
vessel, makes it possible to propel the boat, to steer it, to sink
it or to raise it to the surface of the water with perfect ease.
That those inside may see to guide the boat, it is fitted up
with lenses that enable them to see submerged articles. To
enable them to fasten onto these articles, grapnels and hooks
are fastened to the outside, but are manipulated fiom the in
side. The fiist trial of this wonderful vessel was a success.
It performed its duties with great exactitude and precision.
Science has for a long time been striving to attain success
alont; this line, but all previous attempts have failed. Scien
tists arc at last victorious and they may well exult in their
achievement.
The question of reciprocity is at present demanding a
great deal of attention in our political world. Although we
arc not opposed to reciprocity we would like to say a few
words in opposition to the amendment proposed by the sen
ate on the reciprocity bill now before congress.
To secure reciprocal trade with foreign cpuntrics produc
ing the following articles, viz: sugar, molasses, coffee, tea,
and hides, the amendment pioposcs to exempt these articles
from" duty. This is all right as far as it goes.
The amendment states farther that "After the first day of
July 1891, whenever and so often as the 1 resident shall be
'satisfied that the government of any country producing and
exporting sugars, molasses, coffee tea and hides raw and un
cured, or any of such articles, imposes duties or other exac
tions upon the agricultural or other products of the United
Sta'cs, which, in view of the free introduction of sugar, mo
lasses, coffee, tea and hides into the United States he may
drcm to be reciprocally unequal and unreasonable, it shall
be his duty to suspend by proclamation to that effect, the pio-
visions of this act for such time as he shall deem just
and during such suspension duties shall be levied,
collected and paid upon sugar, molasses, codec, tea and hides
as follows."
It will be seen from this that to one man is given the right
to impose duties on certain articles when, in his opinion, he
shall deem it necessary. It is left to the judgment of one
person alone, and is this right, even though he be the presi
dent of these United States?
Men arc not perfect, no matter to what political paity
they belong. The president, with this additional power con
ferred upon him will have unlimited opportunities to take ad
vantage of his position for personal gain, or, in order to
realize some radical party scheme.
A law may be made with reference to the happening of
some future event. If this event never comes to pass then
the law becomes null. This amendment docs not, by any
means, come under that law. Reciprocity, or the imposition
of duties opon certain articles docs not depend on whether a
foreign country transgresses the laws of trade or not, it de
pends on whether, in the judgment of one man, the foreign
country has done so.
The tariff question is a weighty one and will be very hard
to solve. We will not attempt to say which is the best way
of deciding it, but if reciprocity be the best way of deciding
it, let us have reciprocity, but let it not be controlled by one
man.
In regard to the recent strike on the New Yoik Central
railroad we do not wish to enter into a discussion of the mer
its or demerits of the strike. Suffice it to say that the strike
was between the Ncv York central railroad and the Knights
of Labor organization.
Powderly says "The noble and holy order" of Knights of
Labor exists for the purpose of seeking "educational and leg
islative advantages." If this be true it stands to reason that
the order should not be characterized by revenge as it was
during the recent strike. If the purpose of the order i? as
Powderly claims why arc so many men needed to protect the
property belonging to the railrocd? Surely in this age when
disputes are settled by arbitration, violence is a very poor in
strument with which to accomplish the sought for end.
There was absolutely no cause for the wreck of the Mon
treal express by certain Knights of Labor, simply to "get
even" with the railroad company. They did not take into
consideration the innocent men, women and children thev
were sending to death; they simply had a desire to revenge
themselves. Such actions are characteristic of savages in
the lowest stage and arc to be deplored when found in men
professing to be civilized.
This would not have been so bad had the order to which
these rr.en belonged denounced this action, but they did not.
They tried to shield them and thereby made themselves
guilty as were the men that committed the crime- There is
certainly something wrong about an order that will act in
this manner and the sooner a change is brought about the
better it will be for the community at large. An institution
conducted in such a manner does more harm than good.
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