National Republican., 1877-08-11
THE BLAINE CONTENTION.


% affirrnativcly indorsc the policy Of Presi-
dent HAYES, but, on the. contrary, posi-
lively condemned his course in regard to
the States Of South Carolina and louisiana
While we regard this action as foolish and
impoltic, we do not think that any harm
10 the country can come Of IL. The plat
form adopted does not express the senti-
ments Of any great national party, nor is II
st all certain that IL expresses the views of
. majority Of those who have hitherto acted
with the Republican party even in the
State OF Maine.
The entire document bears the marks of
being the work Of cold, scheming politi-
eian. II appeals 10 no sentiment, and will
consequently evoke no popular enthusiasm.
Its length and its studied phrases show that
Il speaks not ior party, but for faction.
In q free government there are often trausi-
tion periods in party politics when the real
Issues which divided The people having all
been substantially settled efforts are made
10 prolong divisions which no longer exist.
Al such times party degenerates into fac
zion, and unworthy men strive for selfish
ends to embroil the people about fictitious
isues, all real ones being dead. The Maine
platform will not strike the American peo-
pie as being q patriotic document. Every
intelligent person knows that the whole
tendency Of public sentiment is towards
the restoration Of perfect harmony between
the North and the South. The attitude OF
both the people and the State governments
Of that region is perfectly loyal. The re-
sults OF the war are accepted in good faith.
The rights Of all classes Of citizens are re-
spected. The people are devoting them
selves earnestly TO the restoration Of the
national prosperity OF the South. and are
-,x-asx hat
natural tendency Of events is towards the
formation Of new parties not founded upon
sectional issues, but growing out oil ques-
tions Of political economy.
The Maine platform ignores all these
4cts 1t practically assumes that there is
u he eternal hostility between the North
md the South, and that the old issues are
never to be forgotten. Such doctrine as
tAis will no longer be ndorsed by the Amer
ican people. Sectional hate will no longer
be available as political capital. Ii Is very
manifest that the intent Of the platform is
20 keep alive the aniniosities which the wal
produced, hut such efforts will he vain, for
the mass Of the people Of both sections now
recognize each other as brethren OF united
Republic.
The reference which the platform makes
TO the course Of the President in regard to
Florida, South Carolina and Louisiana is no
less cowardly than wicked. Whatever honest
difference Of opinion may have existed as to
Che proper course 10 be pursued by the Pres
dent, the action of the President is now irrev-
ecable ltisacquiesced in quietly by all and
ID Is useless TO open the discussion Of Il, es-
Pecially as the only tendency Of 80 doing
would be TO needlessly revive bitter feelings
now forgotten The wisdom of the course
pursued by the President is completely
vindicated by the quiet and peace which
now prevails in the South. There are no
troops at all in the South, except those
watching Mexico, and yet order reigns, and
eutragcs are unheard Of. Under the policy
which Mr. BLAINE favors hundred thou
sand troops could not accomplish as much
n Mr. HAYES has done by peaceful means
W would like Mr.. BLAINE to tell us,
moreover, what would have become of the
country during the recent strikes If the
army had been occupied in forcing govern
ments upon the people Of the South that
could not stand without the aid of bay
snets.
We think, as mere party measure. Mr..
BLAIHEs platform will prove to be mis-
lake, for it will necessarily disintegrate the
2epublican party in Maine. We do not,
however, regard such result as any calam-
-ty. The time has evidently come for the
disorganization Of old parties. The very
act that 1t was thought necessary to adopt
such o platform as that which Mr.. BLAINE
1orced upon the Maine convention shows
hat the, utility of the organization is
ended. 1t will be impossible to rally men
his fall by the old party watchwords. There
are new and important issues before the
country, and there will be such independent
political action as will render futile the
efforts Of politicians to control the course of
public opinion and keep it in the old chan
nels
Notwithstanding the great length of the
Maine platform, II really presents but one
issue, and that is as to whether the Presi-
dents Southern policy shall be sustained.
1t Is not surprising therefore, that such
sound and eminent Republicans as ex-Gov.
MORRILL, should declare that they cannot
act with party which has fatty refused to
indorse its chosen champion and leader
Fortunately, there is nothing in the present
condition OF the country to prevent men
like Gov. MORRILL, from pursuing an
independent course. Partisan strife should
now be laid aside. In truth, there is
nothing now TO keep il alive except the
spirit of faction, which is fomented for
selfish purposes by politicians. Even the
Southern question is dead for all practical
purposes.
This is very bad time, therefore, for sub
jectng party allegiance to any extra strain.
Old party cries have lost their charm. The
questions forced upon the attention of the
country by the strikes will soon utterly OBJ
hterate all old party lines These new is
sues will bring into public life new leaders,
who will leave behind the men who persist
IN haunting the bloody shirt in the faces of
people who are absorbed in considering the
living issues growing out of the labor ques-
zion, the tariff, the currency, the manage
ment of railroads and similar subjects. In
the presence Of 30 many other dangers every
sttempt to revive sectionalism should be
denounced as criminal.
AMERICAN ART.
The question has often been agitated as
A. uIl fha fine nrfa haya not hnnria ahaI