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6
HE COHSTITUTIOH
CLARK HOWELL Ed,to '
W. A. HEMPHILL Pres. » n<j Bus M g’r
> »trrH al tbe Arlaata Paaia««* *ee*ad
<1a«« Mail Matter, 11. »*>3.
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L'l't'r to (St Ibetn on oar malting IM
A Few of the Issues.
Tha Kansas City platform is both
comprehensive and conservative. It is
broad enough to accommodate every
patriotic voter who desires to save the
r> p-ifc'ic from the detrrading results of
militarism, and from the un-American
p dicy wh’eh proposes to take the k°v
ernment cf our territorial possessions
< tit of the hands of congress ami place
it in the hands of satraps. The plat
form is broad cnoneh to meet the views
of all v ho believe that the constitution
is tho law of the land and that
rongre-- ord the executive are simply
tho creatures of that instrument.
The republican party has already tak
en a : <»ng step in the direction of win
ins out the importance of the legisla
tive branch, and It is no argument in
behalf es this =< heme that it is under
tali-n with the knowledge and consent '
of the rrp’tbife an memfers of congress, i
A e«st!y war was undertaken in the
1” dippincs entirely independent of
congress: it ha* been and is still car
ried on by the executive apart from
any rrne ’« n or approval by congress.
No bill affecting the Philippine ques
t on has lieen passed by the republican
contort the members, as If by coni- ,
mon consent, ignoring tha who’e ques- ,
tion.
Undoubtedly this att’tnde of congress
is due to the desire of the republican I
lenders, and it seems to be the begin- I
ring of a scheme to minimize and ig- ,
no-e the power and authority of the
pc'iplo’s representatives.
Here then are two Important evi
dences cf tbe desire and purpose of the
republican leaders to set up a system
of militarism in this republic: First, j
that congress and the president are not
bound by the constitution, but may
lawfully defy it in dealing with the in
habitant of our territorial possessions. I
and. • nd. that in the prosecution of
a costly war. the executive can dispense
with the advice and approval of con
gress. X
The axiom to which J.fferson gave
form and shape, that • eternal vigilance
is the price of liberty." is as true now
as it was a hundred years ago. When
we see a congress composed of a major- ,
j:y :f rcpuoiicans. engaged in an effort
t-» set aside tbe constitution; when we
F'e a party •!♦ nying and denouncing the
dreiarat'on «.f independence, and vio
lating its letter ami spirit for the bene
fr. cf a mercantile syndicate; when we
tee soldiers, noting under the authority i
of a man who claims to ■ e the successor ,
of Aaraham Lincoln, shooting down
end killing out a population in order to
up rex avenues of trade—it Is i
time for the honest and patriotic citl
x»‘us of the coun'ry to pause and take
their re'konir-•?.
What 1- the real object of all this ex
ploitation < f VBierican power in foreign
lands? W here is It io end? Why has j
the rerubli. an parry, which professes
all the time to be animated by the
spirit of Abraham Lincoln, refrained
from lif Bs finger while the agents
aid emissaries of the British monar
chy have been engiged in depriving
tho inhabitants «;f the south African
republics of their dearest riehts and
<’n every side there are
t«» be f mil evidences that the repub
lican administration has neeotiated a
secret alliance with Great Britain, and
our government may now ’-e said to
?»•• clinging to the coat-tails of John
Full.
What Is tn be the scope and purpose
of Anu .• r; ri • n China? The
question is a pertinent one. inasmuch
as th* administration has betrayed no
intention of taking cither the people
or the people's rep.esrntatives into its
confidence. In the face of things, our
ships and troops are tn be sent to
China to rescue American officials and
missionaries. If these officials and
mission; rie- have fallen victims to Chi
nese hatred of foreigners, what then?
What Is to bo tho end of the move
ment which has been undertalien inde
pendent of congress? Is this country,
c’inglng to the < oat-tails of John Bull,
tn engage tn a war of reprisal and
subjugation?
Ixx.k at the mat-.cr as we may. the
thoughtful citizen must admit that the
attitude of the Chinese toward foreign
ers Is paralleled by the attitude of our
own people toward the Chinese. Wc
have not only shut them c ut. but have
maesacied many of those who had a
nnt tn bo here. Those who have not
been murdered have been compelled
tn lead a dog's life, especially In the
west, where th« feeling against the
Chinese Is as highly developed as that
cf the Chinese against foreigners.
There never has been but one party
In thia country having the genius, the
capacity ant the desire to administer
the government In tbe Interest of the
people; there never has been but one
party which the peop e could trust
with advantage Vo themselves, and
that is the party organized by Thomas
Jefferson »o resl«t the encroachments
BRYAN AND STEVENSON.
Bryan and Stevenson! Such Is the legend which the national democ
racy has thrown to the breeze and it will be hailed with acclamation by
lover* of freedom everywhere.
Everybody knew it would be Bryan! From the day on which he elec
trified his hearers in the Chicago convention, through all of the vicissi
tudes of events since, there has never been one moment of doubt about Bry
an. A new man had been born to be a leader unto his people. It was not
so much that he attracted them to himself, because the world is full of
men who can attract, but because the people Sound in him the unconscious
exponent of their own Innermost thoughts. It was the people who had
moved, and it was at their command that he stpod In the breach.
Then there is Stevenson—Adlai E. Stevenson! Vice president for four
years with Cleveland, he suffered from the inaction which that office im
poses. but it was enough to know that he never Joined in plans against
his own party, and that he was true to the party faith. While the president
might lose the right to vote by Inattention to registration, tho vice presi
dent was on hand at his polling place in Bloomington early in the morning,
and Indorsed Chicago's work. But no inaction which the vice presidency
could Place upon him could remove the memory of Fourth Postmaster
General Stevenson, whose ax became so famous during the first administra
tion of Cleveland. Democrats elected to office seemed not to know how to
get rid of the old rats in the official barn until one morning the ax of Ste
venson began to swing. Like a genuine woodsman, he swung it well from
the shoulder, and beads began to fall into the basket at a fearful rate. It
was Stevenson, therefore, who cut bls way out of the woods, and when
he got into the clearing, he was received with a mighty shout from tbe
democratic hosts.
Such is the ticket, then. Bryan and Stevenson—tbe one the young
tribune of tbe people, the other a veteran from scenes where democracy had
to be tested. With such a ticket Illinois and Indiana will be democratic,
while the avoidance of New York Internal politics puts all factions in that
state on such trial that they must prove their fidelity by their works.
The situation is full of hope, the ticket is strong, the people are
aroused, and we confidently look for victory in November.
of those who have no confidence in the
capacity of the people to govern them
selves.
That party has Just had an oppor
tunity to address itself to the people
of the country In the face of a crisis
as serious in some of Its aspects and
relations as any that the republic has
ever faced since Its foundation. In the
Kansas City platform the emergencies
that have been created by the efforts
cf the republican party to Inaugurate
its un-American and anti-democratic
policies are fully set forth and tbe
dangers they threaten fully described.
Next November the people will have
an opportunity to choose between the
party that is engaged in tramp ing the
constitution under foot for the benefit
of syndicates and trusts and the party
that would restore to them simplicity
and honesty in government.
. David Eennett HilL
David Bennett Hill returns home
from the Kansas City convention the
most popular unofficial democrat iu
America.
Mr. Hill went to Chicago four years
ago and bitterly fought the majority.
While he did so he was honored be
cause what be did was in tho open. The
part just played by him iu Kansas City
showed the grit of the man and the
str •e<>«|i of his character. Although an
tagonized by h>s home delegation, he
was tho biggest man in the convention,
and held the confidence of its members
as no other delegate did. He had views
on the money question differing from
those around him. but. submitting him
self to the decision reached, he at once
assumed colossal form such as could
not be hidden by combination or hurt
bv Jealousy.
In the work of the next few months,
and of the next four years. Mr. Hill
will be in evidence. Ho has claimed his
seat In the house of his fathers; he
has fought an honest fight; he has
Joined elbow so elbow with hls hreth
r» n. so that when we say that David
Bennett HI.I is the biggest unofficial
democrat in the union today, we mean
that from henceforth Wolfert’s Boost
will become the growing niccca of dem
ocratic feet.
When Tillman Read the Platform.
That must have l>een a glorious hour
in Kansas «’ity when Tilbnan read the
platform.
-There Is but one Tillman in the Uni
ted States, and he has ways peculiarly
bls own. It Is claimed that he knows a
pit< hfork when he sees It, and that he
also understands the use of it. There
are a great many men who have tal
ents which they do not know how to
use. and whose brilliance must pass
away with the evanescence of a heat
flush. but the distinguished South Car
et.inian Is not one of these. He can use
a pitchfork, he can make a speech, he
can look daggers through the only eye
he has. and he can say what he means
so that the use of a pocket dictionary
to understand him is not necessary.
When Tillman read tho platform,
therefore, it must have taken on a
vim and a fire which paper cannot
transmit. The withering scorn with
which he could read tbe parts dealing
with republican claims can be readily
understood by some of the men in
South Carolina who opposed him for
office.
Say what the enemies of Mr. Tillman
may.’ he has cut his way through to
leadership, and has won the respect of
those who were enco disposed to doubt
him A man of conviction, strong In bls
sense of duty to hls people, Tillman is
a figure not to be set aside.
a—
The Chinese Point of View.
An educated Chinaman who lives In
London has made some comments on
the situation In China from the point
of view of an InTeTligent native. lie
points out that the Chinese have their
grievances, and he presents some views
which may at least be worth a mo
ment’s attention.
He shows that both the religion and
the civilization of that people, which
are very real things to them, are thou
sands of years old: that tn the course
of the centuries they have tried and
discarded most of the experiments that
pass for Improvements in the west. In
the course of time there has come
about a natural division of labor which
has resulted in peace and contentment.
Travelers from the west go to China,
perceive the possibilities of the coun
try and mistake the content of the
Chinese for the apathy of despair, or
for the indifference of Ignorance.
Therefore these westerners, who mis
take material progress for real civili
zation. take It Into fhoir heads to in
troduce innovations into that country
in the shape of railways, and they in
sist on proselyting the Chinese from
tho religion that Is suited to their
mental needs and desires.
And then the educated Chinaman,
whose statements we are weakening by
a very Inadequate synopsis, asks what
the western peoples would think or do
if a horde of Chinese, with restless
minds and arrogant manners, should
invade Europe and the United States
and seek to Impose on the Inhabitants
THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION s ATLANTA, GA., MONDAY, .JULY 9, 1900.
of those countries new ethical stand
ards. new standards of living and now
methods of industry. Any reader who
has ever had an opportunity to do a
moment’s Independent thinking must
perceive that the arguments of the Chi
naman, If not irresistible, aje at least
of sufficient Importance to induce us
to give a moment’s critical examina
tion to our own Ideals of civilization,
which we are running away from at
railroad speed.
This educated Chinaman was too po
lite to refer with any emphasis to the
barrier which the United States has
raised against the Chinese and he has
refrained from pointing out the fact
that if the westerners were to regulate
their conduct by the religion which
they profess to be governed by. their
whole Industrial and social fabrics
would go to pieces in the twinkling of
an eye.
Na'urally enough the protest of the
educated Chinaman, however dignified
and unanswerable It may be, will have
nn effect in retarding the movement
which is now going forward. It has
been demonstrate,! that no people who
lack the resources of a trained army
and modern arms have any rights any
where on the face of the earth.
The Republican Programme.
It is probably just as well that the
suh-commlttee of which the justly re
nowned Quigg was secretary omitted
the name of Lincoln from the republi
can platform, where it was mischiev
ously placed by those who prepared
the original draft. Th* suppressed
piank. which contained the name of
Lincoln, declared that ‘‘we reassert the
principle which was the w’atchword of
the republican party in its first great
battle, of which Abraham Lincoln was
the illustrious champion, and on which
he was elected president, that congress
has full legislative power over territory
belonging to the United States, subject
only to tho fundamental safeguards of
liberty, justice and personal rights.”
Quigg says that this plank was omit
ted because tho sub-committee thought
that, as the question was before the su
preme court, “it was neither advisable
nor necessary to run the risk of get
ting the platform into conflict with
such court.” But Quigg is wrong in his
diagnosis. There were fw-o fatal objec
tions to the plank in question. These
objections may not have oecurrred to
the mind of Quigg, but such men as
Fairbanks and Foraker must have
seen at once, first, that the plank in
question is not in accord with the re
publican programme, and second, that
no such declaration was made in tbe
republican platform of 1860.
The suppressed p ank. though it does
not say so in terms, places the “full
legislative power” of congress under
the limitations of the constitution. The
phrase “fundamental safeguards of lib
erty. justice and personal rights," was
entirely too American.
These safeguards are fundamental in
no other government under the sun
save that of the American republic,
and they aro fundamental here because
they are set forth In the constitution.
Obviously such a plank as this would
not suit a party committed to exacting
a tariff tax from the people of Porto
Hico to satisfy the demands of the su
gar trust and other protected interests.
Such a declaration may have been
deemed necessary by Mr. McKinley
and certain members of hls cabinet,
but it should be borne In mind that the
president and certain members of his
cabinet declared that It w’as our plain
duty to abolish all customs duties be
tween Porto Hico and the United
States.
When this tariff matter came before
congress the agents of the protected
interests discovered that free trade
with Porto Rico would not bring them
any profits and they decided the matter
In their own favor, and contrary to the
constitution. Consequently, the phrase
"subject only to the safeguards of lib
erty. justice and personal rights” had
no place in a republican platform on
which Mr. McKinley was to stand.
<>n tbe contrary, the declaration In
the platform that the Inhabitants of
the Philippines "shall be given the
largest measure of self-government
consistent with their welfare and our
duties” Is exactly fitted to the necessi
ties of tho republican programme. It
may mean much, it may mean little, or
It may mean nothing. The "welfare” of
the Filipinos may be interpreted to
mean an increase in the number of
American saloons rather than a larger
measure of self-government; and as to
“our duties,” Mr. McKinley has demon
strated that they may bo one thing to
day and precisely tho contrary tomor
row.
In fine, the republican platform in
all its parts is marked by the trail of
the “same old serpent” on which Lin
coln commented in one of bis debates
with Douglas. These debates have be
come famous for many reasons. In the
course of one, Mr. Lincoln commented
prophetically on tho Philadelphia plat
form of a party which has turned its
back on all his teachings. He said:
“These arguments that aro made,
that the Inferior race are to he treated
■ with as much allowance as they are ca-
I pable of enjoying: that as much is to
bo done for them as their condition
will allow —what aro these arguments?
They are tho arguments that kings
have made for enslaving the people in
all ages of the world. You will find that
all the arguments in favor of kingcraft
were of this class; that they always
bestrode the necks of the people, not
that they wanted to do it. but because
the people were better off for being
ridden. Turn it whatever way you will,
whether it come from the mouth of a
king, an excuse for enslaving the peo
ple of a country, or from the mouths
of men of one race for enslaving the
men of another, it is always the same
old serpent.”
This is the comment of Abraham
Lincoln oq the programme of William
McKinley.
The Chinese Situation.
It would seem definitely proven that
tho scriptural prophecy uttered so many
hundreds of years ago, as to wars and
rumors of wars, nations being divided
among themselves, and brethren hold
ing different doctrines, Is about to be
fulfilled. Strikingly apropos is the
situation in the far east, which each
day is becoming more hopelessly com
plicated, and developing features of
terrifying and increasing gravity.
The latest tidings are not reassuring.
Tha murder of the German ambassador,
the widespread and indiscriminate mas
sacre of innocent non-combatants, anfi
the appalling starvation precipitated by
the siege laid to every important city,
are topics which seem to demand the
most immediate and drastic attention.
Without doubt, the time has come for
the allied nations to strike, and to
strike hard and effectively. A casual
glance at the news dispatches is suffi
cient to convince the reader that the
minds of the Chinese people are vio
lently inflamed by hatred and prejudice
against the foreigners in their midst,
and the forces attempting to relieve
them. As is more especially the case
with an uncivilized people who have
long dwelt In peace and internal con
cord, a subject which arouses their na
tional energy, like the one now under
discussion, is bound to excite feellnga
of recklessnesss and btoodthirtlness in
their breasts, and to reflect on those
in their power in a disastrous manner.
It can no longer be denied, in view
of dally developments, that tho entire.
( hincse nation is aroused, as never be
fore in its history. The inhabitants are
trampling tinderfoot all petty jeal
ousies and differences and rising to the
terrible dignity of a nation which in
the hostile attitude of the powers secs
its very existence threatened. Ths
German emperor has made a statement
which shows that he fully appreciates
the gravity of the situation, and is de
termined to take steps which will
avenge insults offered to the German
flag. Throughout hls statement Wil
liam preserves a temperance of feeling
and r. deference to tho other nations
which is commendable, but there Is no
mistaking the general tone of his ex
pression. As to how the necessary
steps will be taken Is a matter for
lengthy debate and conservative
thought. The powers may elect to per
mit japan to act the catspaw, after
which they will proceed to settle the
graver problems involved.
With all of this speiul. ffon, howev
er, the need of immediate .ggression is
apparent. It is to be hoped that those
who have in charge the course of the
United States In this affair will act
with discretion and pru lence. They
should, at tho same time, I>> actuated
by the consciousness that many Ameri
can citizens are in peril of their lives
in the disaffected territory, and direct
iheir course with the ability which
marks efficient statesmanship.
For Moonlings and Moon Lovers.
After today, everybody except the
ladies (who have as much as th' y can
do to take care of their long skirts)
will be head-over-heels in politics.
Therefore, we propose to take advan
tage of the only opportunity likely soon
to offer itself to fulfill the desires of
a correspondent—a lady correspond
ent at that —who has asked for a piece
of curious Information.
This correspondent writes as fol
lows: “Will The Constitution (which
seems to be on terms of familiarity
with the moon) kindly inform a puz
zled woman why it Is that the 'fair
Luna’ of the poets always presents
the markings of her pimpled face in
the same position? I am aware that
tho earth revolves, and that the m ’on
does not. But tho fact that the earth
does revolve shows that the position
of tho moon’s markings should undergo
an apparent change with respect to a
terrestrial observer. But this is not
tho case. The top of the moon (1 am
referring to its markings) when it
rises is the top of tho moon when it
sets. I have no personal acquaintance
with any professional astronomer nr
scientist, and I therefore write to Tb
Constitution. If you cannot satisfy nr
curiosity, you can at least put this
humble inquiry in a shape to attract
the attention of those who know It
all.”
The inquiry of our correspondent Is
very Interesting. Tho Constitution,
blinded by the ignorance and supersti
tion that must ever be the portion of
those who refuse to believe in a scien
tific theory until it is proved—-since
science, properly so-called, assumes
to deal only in facts—has already re
ferred to this amazing conduct of the
earth’s nearest neighbor. The persist
ence of the moon in always presenting
precisely the same aspect toward ob
servers on the earth could bo accounted
for in the simplest way if the door
had not been closed to common sense.
The explanaHon would be a theory, to
be sure, and, as such, would be as
respectable as the thousand and one
theories of the scientists. But. as has
been said, the gentlemen behind the
instruments are in charge of the fig
ures and they have shut the door on
all theories and deductions outside of
their charmed circle. They do not
agree among themselves by any
means, even with respect to the moon,
but they are always prepared to com
bine against outsiders.
Common sense would suggest that
the moon, in order to present always
the same position with respect to ob
servers on the earth, mußt revolve co
incidently with the revolution of the
earth. This theory would but confirm
the other theory that th” moon was
thrown off tho earth in the
shape of a nebulous ring which af
terwards cooled and hardened into the
present form of the satellite. But
common sense theory stands iu the
way of the contention of astronomers
that the moon is cold and dead and
has no motion of its own.
Unscientific observers are. therefore,
driven to consider the possibility that
tbe moon, some time during the night,
when no one Is looking, hikes herself
around as a lady does when she is
managing the miniature trash wagon
which she calls her “train.” and in this
way manages to present the same
aspect when she is setting in the west
as she does when she is rising in the
east.
However, we do not present this last
theory as a conclusion; but simply as
the last resort of those who are. shut
out from all others. In no book on
astronomy, technical or popular, is the
claim made that the moon never “hikes
around.” The scientific claim Is that
it doesn’t revolve on its own axis, but
surely it can “hike Firound” without
going regularly into the business of re
volving on its own axis. In fact Luna
doesn’t, need an axis to hike around
on. P.offord’s International Illus
trated Congressional Dictionary and
Directory says flat the verb “hike"
is used to describe a “flirtatious incli
nation or movement.” and what more
natural than that the moon which is
acknowledged on all sides, even by
the most austere poets, to be of the
feminine pe-suaslon. should indulge
in a flirtatious inclination or move
ment?
Meanwhile, we aro not pretending or
hoping that our remarks will prove
satisfactory to our correspondent. We
have given her inquiry a prominent
position, trusting that it may catch
tho eyo of some professor or amateur
who knows it. all. We do not expect
to see any satisfactory explanation,
for no matter what one scientist may
say on the subject, he will find scores
of others ready to contradict him.
The truth is, the moon is a very tick
lish subject with astronomers. Some
sav that she has no motion and. there
fore, can have no atmosphere. But
others declare that if she had no at
mosphere she would not be visible to
tho naked eye. Meanwhile the aver
age citizen actually knows as much
about the moon as the wisest astrono
mer.
This, however, need not worry those
who, by long experience, have come
to know something of the influence of
tho moon on fl o ld and garden crops.
Impervious to the changes of supersti
tion leveled at them by the ignorant,
they will continue to plant their root
crops in the dark of the moon, and
their other crops during the days when
the moon shines at night. And the
moon, for her part, whether she have
an axis cf her own or merely a bor
rowed pivot, will continue to “hike
around” so as to present, precisely
tho same aspect in the east and In
the west.
A , i £ — '
British World Supremacy.
TTi« New York Comtnereial. which
is not by any means a humorous pa
per, indulges in some funny remarks
in regard to tho melancholy which is
supposed to have seized upon Great
Britain in consequence of the some
what remote prospect of losing her
superiority as a manufacturing nation.
Our contemporary suggests that the
building of cotton mills in this coun
try and Mexico will soon rob Great
Britain of her foreign markets. The
joke lies In the supposition that the
capitalists of Great Britain, whose
weal is the solo care of the Brit’sh
government, have any serious desire
to maintain a hold on the foreign mar
kets. Tn point of fact, the one ambi
tion and purpose of those capitalists fs
to control the gold output of tho worid.
This (bey have already achieved or
are achieving, and trade Is no longer
the main consideration.
It has hoen nn long time since tho
agriculture of Great Britain was de
liberately sacrificed to tho Interests of
the manufacturing class, and those
who are in the habit of looking a little
bebiW the surface, may now perceive
bow the thirst for gold Is sacrificing
tho interests of tho ffinnufacturers to
the money lenders and tho promoters.
Today tho chief aim of Groat Britain,
apart from seizing gold mines operated
by weak nations, is to loan money and
promote industrial enterprises tn other
lands. In this business, ns in others,
losses sometimes occur, a fact to which
the threatened collapse of Baring
Bros, a few years ago attests —but
on tho whole and in the long run.
bond-buying and promoting are more
Important to the financial Interests of
Great Britain than the small profits
which arise from trade carried on in
the faro of competition that is con
stantly increasing in strenuousness.
We may take it for granted, there
fore. that tho British merchant, with
hls smug face and side whiskers, will
shortly take his place in history be
side the British farmer, with his
high boats and his pitchfork.
In this matter of money lending and
promoting abroad, the I nited States
must continue to play second fiddle to
Great Britain for many generations,
perhaps for all time. The bond Issues
under Cleveland’s auspices were all in
tho interest of British financial inter
ests which have complete control of
tho New’ York banks, find It is I’.e to
suppose that their grip will ever be
relaxed.
Wo may be able to drive British
goods out of all foreign markets; we
may be able to bring about the com
pleto collapse of her cotton manufac
turing industry, but England will con
tinue to draw from this country, and
from all other debtor nations, vast
sums of gold every year. WTiatever the
fate of the British merchant and man
ufacturer may be. tho British financier
will flourish.
The Problem of China.
A Gorman officer, who was formerly
employed in drilling the troops of a
contingent of the Chinese army, iias
written an article In the newspapers
in which he declares that outside im
pressions in regard to the capacity of
tl e Chinese soldiers for war are alto
gether wrong. Ho says that they not
oily make hard fighters, but that vast
numbers aro now armed with the most
m<’dern weapons—mausers and ma
chine guns.
European ideas In regard to tho es
sential inferiority of the Chinese as
i soldiers wero gained from the results
1 of the war wi*h Japan. The Japanese
troons met with small resistance, for
the reason that the Chinese could ha'd
ly be said to be engaged in war. But
suppose the population had been in
flamed against tho Japanese as it now
Is against the foreigners? Why the
army of invasion would have been
wiped out long before It reached I’ekin.
The German officer thinks that a
much larger army than any tho inter
nation 1 allies can afford to send to
China will bo necessary in order to
make any impression on the millions
that are now mustering to the defense
of the empire.
——— - -■
Tho attitude of Hill shows that, there
is to be fho most substantial harmony
among democrats this year.
What will happen when the powers
fall out among themselves over the
partition of China?
“Songs of ths Soil”
By FRANK L. STANTON
To Georgie.
I.
Well! May God’s grace go with you: let
it be
Not a dear dream, and not a mystery—
These hands that held you tn . their
clasp so long—
That would have penned for you Love’s
sweetest song—
Now give you to the years they cannot
see!
Dear little heart that wanderest far
away!
Dear little heart that seemest earth’s
above.
Take this: God give thee more than angels
may:—
Moro than he gives who never knew
earth’s love!
11.
Thou shalt find wanderings for thine un
known feet:
Thou still shall tread In darkened ways
unknown;
But ere thou dash those dear feet ’gainst
a stone,
Be Christ with them to sanctify them,
sweet!
There will be tedious ways; but wo shall
know
In all God’s providence! Seo how It
stands
When 1, that hold forth unavailing
hands.
Yet murmur not tn all the bitterest woe!
HI.
Goodbye to thee, and yet—not yet
goodbye!
Here atill the bee of springtime seeks
the ctmb,
And here, sw»et sister, ever Is thy
homo
When storms shall sweep across thy
love’s fair sky.
Yet stilt this song—persistent as It flows:
God's grace forth ,e through all the tide
and time.
And for you, dear, the secret of the rose.
And never heed the rhymer, or the
rhyme.
The Singing of the Belle.
In tmojv-clad wastes of winter —tn all the
frosty delis
We listen to the ringing and the singing
of the bells:
An anthem high as heaven melodiously
swells.
And the wintry wastes are gladdened by
the singing of the bells.
In pleasant paths of springtime still —still
tho music swells
And we listen tn Love’s blossoms to the
belts —to the bells!
The ships sail safe to harbor, nor fear
the ocean-knells.
And they anchor in the sunlight to the
singing of the bells.
And evermore we hear them where deso
lation dwells,
And this world of God’s Is sweeter for the
singing of the ’.Jells;
Life listens in the darkness, and & sweeter
story tells
For the ringing and the singing of the
bells—of the bells!
A July Citizen.
June time in Georgy—sun blazin’ over
head;
But gimme Mister July en de watermelon
red!
Don’t keer fer all de roses—fer all de birds
dat sing:
Gimme Mister July cn de melon what he
bring!
July time In Georgy! Dat de time fer
me—•
Melon bast wide open, en de juice a
fiowin’ free!
Des take all de sweetness dey sen’s you In
do spring:
Gimme Mister July en de melon what he
bring!
••• • •
A Glimpse of Green Fields.
Country locks so purty—’way off
In the daisies an’ tho dew,
Feller wants to take a day off
Dreamin’ under skies o’ blue.
Dreamin’ where the river’s swdshin’—
Singin’ to a feller’s soul.
Where Im knows the joys o’ flshin’
With the ol’-tlme tlshln'-pole!
Seems that I could dream ferever
Where the south winds stng to me
On the green banks of a river.
With the fish a-bitin’ free!
You Are Net There.
I sight no sails of your returning barque
Where glooms the ocean drear;
I stretch my hand toward you In the
dark—
You are not there!
Where gloom the seas I hear the ocean
knells:
Over the storm’s despair
I hear the welcome of the harbor-bells:
You aro not there!
The darkness and the distance, and the
sea!
Yet earth would still be fair,
And heaven Itself more than a dream
to me
Could 1 but meet you there!
The Dreams Are in the Place.
I.
What were the words that T wished to
write?
Something of life—of the mad. swift
race;
But she was here. with.the eyes of light
And the beautiful, haunting face.
And song bath followed her steps In
’
And tho dreams are In the placet
11.
What wero the words that I wished to
write?
Something of life, with its glooms and
gleams;
But she was hero, with tho eyes of light.
And her eyes have left the dreams!
And the dark Is wonderful sweet and
bright
With the dreams, the dreams, the
dreams!
ITT.
Idle words that I wished to write.
For the world Is sweet with the grace
That dwells with tho shadowless eyes of
light
And the beautiful haunting face!
Sweet song hath followed her steps In
flight.
And the dreams are In the place!
Beautiful Dream, Goodbye.
Here is tho summer, with at! her sweets—
The summer, with song and sigh;
For joy of living the world’s heart beats;
But a voice In the garlanded vales and
streets: —
“Beautiful dream, goodbye!"
Here Is the summer, that weaves for all
Colors of perfect sky;
In pi iili and purple the blossoms fall;
But out from the rain o’ them —over all, —
"Beautiful dream, goodbye!”
And the world Is green, and the world Is
wide.
And tile groat stars wheel on high;
But ever a voice where the world-dreams
abiue—
Over the stress of the storm and the
tide: —
"Beautiful dream, goodbye!"
After.
After the light—the night.
With never star's soft beams;
But under dust and daisies white.
Rest from a world of dreatns!
PlUnketVsLetter
For The Constitution.
Another Fourth is upon us and there U
wars and rumors of wars, but
"Breathes a man with soul so dead
Who never to himself has said:
This is my own. my native land.
Thirty-seven years ago, upon the
Fourth, our Vicksburg fell, and what a
fall was that. It rang the deathknell of
the confederacy, and perhaps another
man should not have been sacrificed after
that. I speak of this in no spirit of bit
terness, for perhaps it was well for the
; south to suffer su<'h two reverses as the
one at Gettysburg on the .In and at Vicks
j burg on the 4th, to illustrate to the world
the fortitude that has never yet and will
i never be surpassed. The first, second and
third days of July, 18G3, were days to try
men’s souls across the Potomac, while
[ upon the Mississippi there was that trans
j piring to cause the fall of Vicksburg upon
i the 4th. These things are but a mem-
■ ory to the old, to study over while a
1 youngser set rejoice in the glories of the
I day and boast of achievements from San-
I Hugo to Manila, with no telling of what
lis in the future. No matter what may
; be in store for the future, a feeling
1 started at Santiago which binds us all.in
! Links as strong as those of ’76, and let us
. hope that it may De as golden in results
1 as the deliverance that was accomplish
ed then and brought forth the day as the
day it is.
While tho younger people rejoicing in
the present and holding with pardonable
1 pride the recent achievements on land
and sea, allow the older folks to think as
they please and live in the memory of
tho years that are gone- 1 well remem
ber that Fourth at Vicksburg, the starved
men, the persistency of General Grant
to have the surrender upon that day and
the sad results of that surrender, but it
is not of such as this that I had rather
tell—history gives you all of this, but his
tory does not give the ridiculous tilings
and there are always ridiculous things
upon such occasions.
When the confederates had been fed
and received their paroles there was a
general and an anxious hurry to get out
from there. Among the confederates-
I were many negroes, kept along as ser-
I van Is, of course, and there was much
j speculation us to what these would do.
! General Grant insisted that they should
; do just as they pleased, without undue
j Influence from either side. To the faith
fulness of these negroes, be it said, they
; were almost unanimous in sticking to
their masters and took up the tramp
away from the city with as much energy
as any of the whites. This struck tho
yankcss as strange, and it was strange,
but it was not any stranger than a great
I many oth< r things that happened there.
Os all the strange things of that occa
sion. the strangest it seemed to me was
the notion that a long, lank Georgian got
in hls head to secure some of the Iron
| that was so plentiful there. When this
man learned that he was to go to hls
homo on parole, nothing would do him
but what he must take some of the Iron
along. He had much trouble in devising
a plan to do this, but at last he thought
1 of a wheelbarrow and went crazy in his
' anxiety to secure one. At last he secured
one, loaded it with Iron scraps and rolled
■ it all the way from Vicksburg to his home
iin tho mountains of Georgia. How is
' that for an eye to having iron at his
home?
Another one of these Vicksburg soldiers,
i after much suffering upon the way. swore
1 that ha would have dinner at tne next
i house whether, it was agreeable to the
' owners or not. He was then somewhere
down in Tennessee and It was pretty
dangerous for a soldier to put on too
many airs down there, but he had tho
nerve and hls success was abundant. Any
how. the next house happened to be a
most prosperous plantation and I expect
that a most excellent woman -presided
there at the time, for it was no trouble
for the soldier to secure her promise
that he should have his dinner, but with
the promise ts-ie explained that a compa
ny of officers were to dine with her and
that the soldier must wait until the offi
cers were through. There was nothing for
tho soldier to do but comply with this,
and comply he did. Fortunately or unfor
tunately, irom wnere tney seated the sol
dier to wait, he could look through
a door and sea the .ablo as piaiu
as if ho had been seated at iu There
he sit, smelling the vituuls. seeing them
smoke, and he having been living upon
mule meat and herbs lor months at Vicks
burg. lie turned and twisted in nis chair
and held his nose wnh his lingers as dish
alter dish was set upon the tau.e. At
las; a small bed was rung, and from away
down a long Lail he saw the linj vliivers
approaching. He coiud stand It nu lunger.
Lither the fear that these officers would
eat everything or something else caused
him to arise from his chair, hesitate for a
moment and then make a grand rush for
the table. He was the first one there, and
without any ceremony, he took a seat.
This caused the lady to be embarrassed,
fur after ail the seats were taaeu, one
officer was left standing. The officer was
a sensible fellow, and the lady was too
polite to disturb the suidier. and so tho
dinner went on. After so long a time, the
officers at the. table suspected there was
something wrong m tne sordler s being
there, and, whimpering a little among
themselves, a luie otlccr who sit ueaj
our Vicksburg friend turned to him and
asked:
"Do you know, six, that sou have tho
honor of dining witli General Magruder?
1 am General Magruder.”
"Don’t mention it,” replied the soldier,
as ha stuffed a handtui in his mouth;
"don’t mention it at all. 1 used to be a
llttie particular who 1 dined with, but
since the war I don't care a cent.”
There was some mure talk among the
officers, and there might have been
trouble, but they learned that tho soldier
was one of the paroled of Vicksburg, and
all joined in doing whatever tney cou d to
give him a good time, and then the iaoy
filled his haversack to help him on his
way.
It gives me pleasure to see a revival of
the spirit of the old-time "Fourth.” The
recent wars have done this much good
anyway. Here in the south the day had
lost its old-time spirit, it had come to be
looked upon os a day to get cheap rail
road tickets, or a day to make a little
more money than upon other days—that
was about all there was in it since the
war between the states. Tha Italians
trimmed up their stands w-ith an extra
supply of fruits, the Germans laid in a
little more beer from the breweries, tho
Irishman got ready his whisky and the
Jew his cheap clothing, while the Georgia
cracker done nothing and cared nothing
for the occasion It will not be so any
more. I think we wIU all join in a glori
ous celebration from now on, and the
heathen Chinese will have to stan< from
under. It looks that way. The world
against China, the .xusadcs revived, the
old ‘ Fourth” restored and good times in
Georgia. Let ’er roll.
SARGE PLVNKETT.
Evans and Pension. Sharks.
Philadelphia Telegraph: Commissioner
of Pensions Evans has lost his tight with
Congressman Brownlow, as far as the
action of the national committee goes to
ward settling contested seats in the con
vention. It has been intimated in some
quarters that the action of the national
committee was influenced more by Hie
wishes of the administration to make an
end of Evans, ai.d force him out of the
pension bureau, than by the facts and
rights involved in the Tennessee wrangle
It is to be hoped that there is no truth
in this scandalous rumor—that the presi
d’-nt has not w’eakened at lust, and made
up his mind to sacrifice an able, honest,
and efficient public servant to the e.lmnnr
of the pension sharks.
