The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-19


We presume that Mr.. BLAINE has never
In his life made a political speech which had
the assent Of his own mind. II is q more
surprising intellectual feat to pervcrt and
distort the truth than to state It fairly, and
DO Mr. BLAINE, who Is nothing il not sur
prsng, prefers the former to tho latter.
He Is always studying effects, and he
likes TO rush down into the blaze Of the foot
lights, deliver an astonishing piece OF base
less rant, and retire before anybody has
time to analyze and rcfute it. lie is an actor,
playing part. and mouthing words which
embody neither principles nor convictions.
His speech the other day on the Army
Appropriation bill was only less disingenu-
Gus than his speech in 1876 on the Amnesty
bill, which failed 50 signally TO accomplish
the base purpose he had i'm view He has
but ono political idea-to array the North
against the South, and ride into power on
sectional issues. TO do this he is willing to
stoop to any device however wicked, or to
adopt any prctcnce however false or alb
surd. He has forgotten that masses of men
are always logical, and that peoples are sell
dom or never moved by apprehensions of
the unreal and unsubstantial. The voters
of the United States understand fully that
the war between the sections terminated
many years ago, and that there is not
the slightest ground TO fear Southern
aggression or Southern arrogance in our
day. The country has advanced far beyond
the point Of time when dcmagogue can make
personal capital, or Il party can compass
anything but defeat, by needless sectional
agitatons. 1t desires peace, rest, the restor-
alton Of business and the restoration to the
people and the States Of all extraordinary
powers assumed by government in times Of
real public Danger and Mr. BLAINE's invi-
tation TO a battle OF windmllls Will be en-
tircly disrcgardcd. lie wastes his breath
and great deal Of tin his incessant and
unconscionable efforts to fan into life the
dead embcrs Of old discord.
Mr. BLAINE affected TO believe that il was
impossible for the small American army to
be so used IN the hands Of an INSCRIPTIONS
Executive as TO ovcrawc the people at the
polls, or produce any serious impression upon
the result Of general election. To sustain
this he exhibited statement kindly fur
nishcd by the Fraudulent Administration
showing that there were at present only
about 5000 soldiers on this side the Mis-
sissippi. But what the present location Of
troops had TO do with the matter under dis
cusson we fail 10 see, and Mr.. BLAINE did
not remark The Republicans maintain
that, under the law as 1t stands, the
President can march the army when
and where he pleases, and under pretence
Of keeping the peace at the polls" he can
dispose his force so as 10 dominate and ter
rorize any portion OF the country, without
the constitutional rcquisition of Legislature
or Governor We have seen this regular
army which Mr. BLAINE pretends to dcsplse
set up and pull down State Governments
throughout onc-half OF the Union. 1t seems
only the other day that the dragons were
pitching the Louisiana Legislature out Of
the windows and that q sergeant and squad
were at the door OF the South Carolina Capt.
tol, determining upon the credentials Of
Senators and Representatives. This army
was also used 10 reverse the will Of
the American people, lawfully expressed
at tho polls, and to put HAYES, tho
fraud, in the Presidential chair. 1t stood
guard over the infamous Returning Boards,
while they were fal5ifylng the votes Of
States, and It's artillery was trained on the
Federal Capitol, and whole regiments Of its
infantry were stationed within call, while
Congress was making the fraudulent count.
VIII any man believe Mr.. BLAINE when he
prctcnds TO rdiculc force like this lie
knows that for years it kept the Republican
party In power ia many States, and that
the present incumbent OF the Presidential
chair was lifted to his place on the
point Of the bayonct. The army was
the essential part Of the machinery em-
ploycd 10 execute the DEGREES Of the con-
spracy which seated HAYES, and never did
guards on lcgions play a more important
part In the elevation Of Il Roman Emperor
Being partisans, not patriots. and seeing no
hope OF success but in the practice Of
fraud, protected by force it is not wonder
full that the Republicans should cling to the
use Of the army to keep the peace at the
polls" with the energy Of despair.