The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1880-11-10
LET Us HAVE PEACE.
Im-Pertinent Reflections on American Pol
itics by Representative Statesmen OF
all Political Parties.
1.-THE American. I

Vniie lH6it ~ always IooH Ia pOiltcS IOr
the unforeseen and the unexpected, the Amer
lean people of both parties have made up
their minds, since the October elections. that
Mr.. Garfield is to be our next President. All
the straws indicate that few or no bets are
now taken against him, whatever the odds.
The weather-cock newspapers, after cheering
on the Democracy for three months past, and
a%pplauding the splendid management Of the
campaign by Messrs. Barnum and English,
are now telling that party that they have
shown themselves asses from the very start,
and bidding them vote for Gen. Hancock but
stake their money On Mr.. Garfield. The
business Of making Cabinets for the former
no longer fourishes, while the choice open to
Gen. Harrison, Of a seat in the Senate or q
seat IN the Cabinet, is freely discussed.
1t is not too soon, therefore, to suggest that
there might be Q general softening of politi-
cal asperities during the week before election,
and an effort to come, before the Sd of Nov
emher, to some common standing ground for
all honest and patriotic citizens. We should
be unworthy the name we bear if we did not
regard i IS our duty to remind men of all
parties that they are first Of all Americans,
that they agree upon far more important
Notwithstanding the Ten Commandments
than those upon which they differ, and that
their differences are somewhat magnited and
exaggerated during the heat of great cleo
tons. AS there is no certainty that the party
leaders could be got together ia time for the
purpose Of the ante election love feast. we
shall take the liberty Of telling them what
gracious and kindly things each of them
might well have said al such a meeting:
MR.. ooNKLINa.
MY master feeling, on this suspicious occa-
sion, is a profound regret for the sins and
shortcomings Of Gen. Grants two admins
t~ra1ions, which did so mucn to intensity and
peGpetaate partisan bitterness, and so di1nin-
ISL the claims Of The Republican party to the
and support Of ny countrymen, I
am still q Grant mau-it 10 my pride to have
been one Of the 800 who stood by the Great
Captain at Chicago-and during the labors Of
The present campaign you may have observed
[ managed to say a word Or two which
to his election in 1884. But I rejoice
10 know that the Hayes and Garfield admin
will have made y break between
1876 and 1884, and that the party tradition IN
favor Of good and pure government, BY that
tine. win be fixed. We want Mr.. Grant
again, ba5 40 more MuFphya and Belknaps;
and we believe tbs General has learnt some
IS TO his choice OF men, and his undue
obstinacy in standing by unworthy friends.
for Gen. Garfield, there il every ground
Ter believing that his administration will be
and successful. have the best Of
For Va!uing bis personal friendship,
2ut | an certain be will enter upon office
trGnpneJeG 5y bargains OF Ga2y sort uSth
a1y person.
Mr.. OUTFITS.
AS speaking for what has been called the |
Civil Service Reform wing Of tbs party, I am
greatly gralifed by the candid u~tterances of
our Senator. Icannot say taas the gentle
men | an supposed to represent are altogeth-
7r pleased with the situaiion. We did expect
definite pledges from Mr. Garfield; we
AVE only learned from his lettersof accept
nee thai ne has given attention to the sub
ect, but ia even more impressed with she
OF the subject than with the ne
'essity for it. But perhaps the existing con-
uslon in this matter lie due as much TO NV !
as to any other cause. We tried
Q import into American politics q European
xpedsent, whose value has not been fully
ested At home. We thought 10 dabar Office
from taking that legitimate interest
Q politics which was their right as citizens,
When we should rather have sought to give
hem such 9 -pernlanence il tenure of office
5 would have relieved them Of any temDta-
to neglect their public duties. We lop-
ed off the branches, but never touched the
oots Of . great evil. We managed to identi-
7 a great reform with plans and devices
hitch did not commend themselves to the
MINOR q Of the people.
MR. BLAINE.
[ hope that | have waved the bloody shirt
or the last time, ard that before another
.ection our party divisions will be recon
on new lines. Speaking Of recon
ruction reminds me that the Southern Deo-
|e are not the only people to be blamed for
e present unhappy situation. We were TOO
uch afraid of Mr.. johnson ia 1868. We
q half-baked plan Of reconstruction.
hich We hoped would give the Republican
arty the permanent control Of the South