Port Tobacco Times, And Charles County Advertiser

The Cutting Imbroglio.

There is a perceptible and concerted effort on the part of certain Republican papers, organs of Mr. Blaine, to misrepresent the affair growing out of the arrest and imprisonment of Cutting, the Texas editor, by the Mexican authorities, and the prompt and firm policy adopted by the administration at Washington in dealing with this important question. It is said that Mr. Blaine himself is taking a personal interest in the matter. Efforts are made to show that Cutting is a man of disreputable character and to delude the people with the assertion that this government is using its great influence and power and threatening war to screen a disreputable man from punishment.

Efforts have also been made to show that the offense of Cutting, though primarily committed by publication in his paper at El Paso, Texas, was subsequently repeated by the circulation of his paper in the Mexican city of Paso del Norte.

The true animus which lies at the bottom of all this is no doubt the chagrin that is felt by Mr. Blaine and his friends at the effective and complete manner in which the present administration has demolished the "aggressive foreign policy" boom of Blaine and his supporters. It is in bad taste indeed that Mr. Blaine, who in a time of profound peace, for the sake of political capital, almost involved this country in a causeless war with the South American States by his "aggressive foreign policy," should now be endeavoring to criticise the display of a little nerve in the protection of an American citizen in his rights of citizenship.

All efforts to impress the public mind with the danger of a war with Mexico will be unavailing, as no one can see anything but benefit to American interests to result from such a conflict. The attempt to make it appear that the gravity of the question involved is in any manner affected by the personal character of Cutting is simply absurd. The question involved is one of grave international significance with which Cutting's private character has nothing at all to do. He is an American citizen, being a citizen of the State of New York, and the question in controversy is shall an American citizen be imprisoned and punished in Mexico, under Mexican law, for an offense committed in the United States. To concede such a principle in this case would establish a precedent which in future time might prove destructive of the rights and liberties of the best American citizens.

No charge has been made against Cutting in the trial of committing or repeating any offense in Mexico, but, as shown by Secretary Bayard's letter to the President, the time of his arrest precluded any such offense on his part.

The only question involved is shall the government of the United States protect its citizens in foreign countries in the rights and privileges of American citizenship, and the administration has promptly and firmly decided this question in the affirmative. It is said that, under recent Republican administrations, so careless has the government been in the matter of outrages along the Mexican border, that citizens of Texas who have occasion to go over into Mexico, have been accustomed to represent themselves as Englishmen, to secure for themselves the superior respect and safety accorded to citizens of that government. It is time that this disgraceful state of affairs had been stopped and the prompt action of the administration in that direction is fully endorsed by the people throughout the country.

It does not now seem probable that any war will result; but the indications are that the matter will be peacefully adjusted by regular diplomatic negotiation. The Mexican government will recede from its position and Cutting will be released.

In an interview in the New York World recently ex-Senator Thurman, of Ohio, said he was out of politics, and that "there was not steam engines enough in the country to draw him into office again." But while he is out of politics, he takes as deep an interest as he ever did in the success of the Democratic party and the triumph of its principles. Being asked the opinion of the Ohio democracy regarding President Cleveland and his administration Mr. Thurman replied: My judgment is that Mr. Cleveland is growing stronger with his party. At first there was some complaint, I believe, because Mr. Cleveland did not turn the republicans out quite fast enough, but he appears to have improved in that respect, or the Democrats have become less impatient, for he has been gaining in strength and popularity. In judging Mr. Cleveland's administration one must take into consideration the difficulties that beset him at the start. It was not like one Republican succeeding another or a continuation of the same political succession. The Democratic party had been out of power for a long time, and Democrats were naturally a little impatient at any delay. Mr. Cleveland has demonstrated one thing, I think, to the satisfaction of everybody, and that is that he is an honest, courageous man, and intends to do as nearly right as he knows how. There is no doubt of his sincerity and his courage. People admire courage and they appreciate honesty. Knowing Mr. Cleveland to possess both, they can overlook minor defects."

Mr. Thurman added that he could not see anything to prevent Mr. Cleveland's renomination and re-election.

The following card appeared in a recent issue of the St. Mary's Beacon. It explains itself: "I have just time before your paper goes to press to refer to an article in the last Sunday American under the head "He is not a kicker," which says: 'True there will be no opposition to Mr. Compton's renomination. The fight will be later. His election is a matter of great uncertainty. There are active elements of opposition in Mr. Compton's own party. George Wells, with a powerful faction in Anne Arundel, and Benjamin G. Harris in St. Mary's.' In answer to this, so far as it refers to me, I have to say, that if Mr. Compton is renominated by the Democratic party of this Congressional district, and I shall be able to attend the polls, I shall certainly consider it my duty as a Democrat to give him my vote. I would say more but time forbids." B.G. HARRIS.