New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-29

WHY INDEI ENDENTS OPPOSE THE NOMINATION of
MR. BLAlEE-MR BiAINES BELIEF THAT HE
FORMS ARE BEST SECURED THhoUGH PAKlf
MEANS.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: You give all sides hearing; allow me
to state why cannot support Mr. Blaine aud do not see
how any genuine independent can do So Put aside all
fine nersona accusations which no has met WITH so en
,natio DENIAL and the stands exactly whe II dd
before those accusations were made Iheh opposeu
Mr. Blaine though know him and liked him personally
solely because he partisan and not u reiofmer
am of the Same opinion yet and the distinction seems 10
Inc a very BROAD aid radical MIR. Blame has taken
position Oh one side That position he does not "lSh
TO change nor to have misunderstood; it is the source OF
his greatest strength But the independent Votois nave
taken their post on on the other side
James G. Blaine is partisan. Jealous. thoroughgoing
and aggressive He thoroughly believes that good re-
suits can only accomplished through partisan aScn
cies, and whether men think his motives good OF pau
they nevor question his fidelity to party nor his zeal ana
effectiveness in its behalf Thls fact helps in rs IL
properly may with large class. They share MS ociPi
that no good can except through party orsah'Za
TONS and represents their feenS in regard 10 ie
Democratic party But the same fact hurts MN Win
Others who believe that better results than either parry
can offer may accomplished by voters acting ihde
ncndentlv of partes To them Mr.. Blaine Is the more
dangerous because lie makes partsanship tho moro Sc
ductive.
There are some men who want to reform things, party
OF no party Mr.. Blaine does not He does not peieNe
in trying to do any thing beyond what tho party VIII sns
TAIN or what may hurt the party Tho fault OF those
who demand reforms irrespective of party usually Is That
th,y attempt impracticabities TIE fault of men VINO
insist on acting within and through party organizations
is that they miss opportunities Thus the fatal once
ton 10 Mr. Blaine from the point of view of nlcpend
ents that he has boon many years In pnDc me- ana
vet has mover taken oppOr unity to make himself known
Tlp ci-m Ia In
aging because is just but it is Just because Mr. Blaine
has been essentially partisan, and not an independent
There arc those vino want for President "A nan not
only from faint but 50 conscuousiy ana rrecoh-
caby hostile every form OF abuse or corruption hat
h.s past shall be guarantee for his iture All hdo-
penGcn.s honor such men, and wish that the majority OF
voters would act upon equally exalted ideas. The
majority has been doing in our time, yet thore are
,rc and brave neil who hope that in this centennial
year. the people may select President because lac Is
known foe OF every form Of abuse OF power ana naau
minstration. IL this spirit prevails neither MI baihe'
nor any known an active partisan leader III
times past, will be named candidate. On the other
hand it is possible that the majority may INSIST iibt oil
ALL upon known and active partisan in the BELIEF tha'
q good thing which cannot be reached through party
organization ia imrracticabe and unatianioe good
thing. that the natural candidate Is MI bihe'
because he has the consistent powerful, and un-
wayering champion Of party.
W,
reform, party 10 party Mr. Blaine docs not any
man who does not Will nstnctivey coniie his efforts TO
such reforms as he thinks be made without hurting
the party Practically that ends in no reform lhde-
pendents hold that party managers never VIII permit
the overthrow of rings long as voters say they are f
party first and reform af erward CAS- Tue TRIBUNE SAID
fine other dav "Reform within tho party Ia fraud"
Now, Mr.. Blaine is emphacay opposed to any otAer
kind of reform Hence it is that he cannot be the candi
date Of those disrust all parsansip regard II rs
the source OF the very evils To be reformed ana demand
reform, party or no party They might iJoce 10 See All
Blaine defeat Mr. Morton or Mr.. Conkling, but they
would rather have somebody else for President Ihey
have no aith In parties; Mr. Blaine has no faith in any
thing outside of parties They want reiorl-uncompro
msing unsparing, inside outside. Mr. Elaine wants
nothing which cannot DO attained through party
organization. Between the two the antagonsm Is 20
natural and so broad that no conceivable refutaiion Of
personal allegations can removet. o.
New York, April II, 1876