Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 March 1893 — TOPICS OF THESE TIMES. [ARTICLE]

TOPICS OF THESE TIMES.

GENL HARRISON. Notwithstanding the disadvantages under which Benjamin. Harrison entered upon the duties of Chief Executive by reason of the reputation that he had acquired on account of certain characteristicsof manner, and his unfortunate coldness of temperament that gave offense to many where no offense was intended, repelling rather than attracting many influences that would otherwise have added largely to the success of his administration, all, or nearly all, parties and the general public are willing to concede to him unimpeacbed integrity and unswerving patriotism in the discharge of the functions of the exalted station which it was his good fortune to occupy for the full term of four years without private scandal or public misfortune. Closer friends to the ex-Presideht will resent even the implied censure m the above and will insist that Gen-. Harrison has been sorely misunderstood and misrepresented in this regard, and that he is in fact one of the most genial and companionable of men and far removed from the chronic acerbity of temper that many have ascribed to him, arid (hat have brought to fiimthe enmity of former political friends, and as many will insist have been an important factor in bringing about the political misfortunes that have caused his retirement to private life. It is unpleasant to recall this phase of Gen. Harrison’s character, which has been sb great a. disadvantage to him, but it serves to emphasize the undisputed fact that he retires from office generally respected by unprejudiced men of all parties as a statesman and patriot of elevated character and superior ability. With a comparatively few exceptions, it can be truthfully said that few Presidents have exhibited a more conscientious regard for their responsibility in the selection of public servants, and in many cases these selections have shown a high perception of what was proper and fitting in the case before him that has lilted him above the groveling partisan to the domain of exalted patriotism. When all has been said against Gen. Harrison and his administration, by political enemies outside of his party or personal enemies within it, the fact will remain that he has served his country uncommonly well. The machinery of the government has moved smoothly under his supervision, no great scandal has developed, and the moral tone at the capital has been good tor the past four years. While Gen. ‘Harrison has probably failed to create a personal following or an enthusiastic devotion that a more magnetic man might have done, yet the figure he has presented on all State occasions has been always dignified and respectable, and in many ways he has managed to come nearer to the popular heart and to the Republican idea than any President since Lincoln. That President Harrison is a man of brains and strong will is conceded by all, but his chief title to fame and to the gratitude of his countrymen will rest upon the fact that he was one of the first American statesmen to appreciate the significance of the great revival of the American spirit which has been one of the most remarkable developments of the past few years. Whatever may have been his mistakes or shortcomings, in this regard he has never wavered in his fidelity to the flag that is the glory and pride of our people. In all our foreign relations from the Samoan affair to Hawaiian annexation, Gen. Harrison’s impulses and actions have been wise,' patriotic, firm and unequivocally American, and. his public career may well be said to have shed additional luster upon the line of distingushed patriots whose blood flows in his veins. Added to the general good-will that has come to him for his public services has been given the heartfelt sympathy of the people in his great bereavements. That “one touch of sorrow makes the whole world kin” has once more been strikingly illustrated in the case of this sorely stricken man, who, followed by the solicitous care of the great mass of people, irrespective of party, laying down tho pomp and splendor of his high estate, hurries at once to his comparatively humble home,'nor seeks to tarry amid the magnificence that has been his, and ere the sun has set upon the decorations of his native city, streaming from every window, tower and masthead in his honor, and in tho midst of a most generous and spontaneous welcome tendered by bis old-time fellow-citizens of all political complexions, hastens to the grave of tho loved one to weep tho bitier, unavailing tears that only flow from true hearts, bo they high or low. The question of theop miug Gs the World’s Fair on Sundry i* ode that

has two sides, at least, as is the case with the majority of matters that come before the public for discus sion and settlement. Viewed from the standpoint of public morals there can be no doubt that the opening of the gates on Sunday would be of great benefit to the mental health of a great mass of people, as well as detrimental to the thousand evil influences that are likely to beset the sojourner within Chicago’s gates on the Sabbath day. Looked at, however, from a strictly religious standpoint, and taking into consideration the physical welfare of the army oL employes of the Exposition, who would be deprived erf their natural rest for a term of six months, the question assumes a different aspect. Whether the physical welfare of a limited number of people shall be held of paramount importance to the mental and moral welfare of anumberless mass, who would be attracted to the exhibition if kept open on Sunday..is the real issue involved in the controversy that is being; conducted on the subject. The New. York World has collected some statistics with reference to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in that city, that will be of interest. This institution is open all day on six 'ays of the week, and open only half a day on Sunday. The records show that during 1892 the average week-day attendance was 1,288, and the average Sunday attendance 4,750. The most puritanical zealot would hardly claim that the people who viewed the refining treasures of this great institution during the limited time that it was opened on Sunday were injured in any way—mentally, morally or physically—while the evil effects of the limited time that the employes were compelled to pursue their usual avocation on the Sabbath day —while not desirable from a religious standpoint—was more than counterbalanced by the greater benefits to a large number of people. The Chicago Exhibition has cost vast sums of money, and will be open to the world but a limited time. It would seem the part of reason to make its priceless treasures available to the greatest degree practicable with safety to the health es-the employes, possibly closing the gates at an earlier hour on Sunday. But to bar the eager millions but during the only day that large numbers of them will find it possible to attend, and to throw a vast transient population into the streets to be entertained by the demoralizing attractions of a metropolis, is so manifestly a wrong solution of a vexatious problem that it seems a phenomenon of stupidity, and the wonder is that such a measure has received the sanction of law and of many good people. “The World’s Fair must not be closed on Sunday."

Athens is said to be- one of the most desirable cities in the world from a diplomatic point of view, and the eyes of many patriots who have an inherent admiration for royalty, and a desire to serve their country, are turned in that direction. Extra-, ordinary jealousy prevails?between rival political factions in Greece, and as a result the King and royal family abstain from hospitality to the people of their own country, and their social intercourse is restricted ot the foreign diplomatic corps of their court. Athens is a sort of winter resort for all the royal families of Europe. The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Empress Frederick of Germany are to spend several weeks in the ancient city this spring. Thus a diplomatic representative at the Grecian court has the opportunity Of forming the personal acquaintance of the reigning families that can be obtained at no other European capital. Gen. Meridith Reade, formerly our minister to Athens, is said to have a more exten ed acquaintance among princes of the blood, heirs apparent, grand dukes, archdukes, and all the titular dignitaries known to courts and crowns, than any American living.