Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-06
THE TWO CANDID1TES.

One after another the campaign ISLANDERS
in regard to Gen. Hancock disappear, and
the ingenuity of the inventors is taxed to
its utmost capacity to supply the demands
of the Republican party press. Some of
the most absurd stories imaginable have
been set afoat designed to prove that the
distinguished soldier was a coward in the
face of the enemy; traitor, ready on two
occasions to march with his army on Wash
ington to depose the powers that be; that he
was swindler, and duped many of his
friends in an oil speculation; that he vas
brutal in the treatment of the soldiers in his
command, subjecting them to unnecessary
hardships and insults, that he is indolent
and ignorant of the first ideas of govern
ment; and that he is unapproachable save to
the aristocratic portion of the public. Each
and every one of those accusations have
been put to rest forever, and Gen. Hancock
stands to-day in the position of man who
cannot be successfully attacked either per-
sonally or in connection with his public
career. He was soldier without reproacb,
and has proved himself to be wise, liberal
minded and clear-headed statesman.
The same cannot be said of his competi-
tor. Though Mr.. Garfield is as good man
as could be found in his party his record is
by no means free from reproaoh. Accord
ing to the testimony of his own party
friends, his course in connection with the
Credit Mobilier and DeGolyer matters was
indicative of either dishonesty or weakness,
either of which proves him unfit to occupy
the responsible position of President of the
United States. He has been weak, vacillat-
ing and inconsistent on nearly all questions
of public policy. At times he has been in
favor of free trade, and within short time
warm advocate of protection. At one
time he denounced the back pay grab, but
in a few days afterwards accepted his share
of the steal, returning it only when COM
PEELED to do so by the force of public opinion.
He was active in insisting upon a reform in
the civil service, and denounced the practice
of levying assessments upon govern
ment employees for political
services, yet in his letter of acceptance he
abandoned all pretense of seeking to improve
the service and abdicsted in advance all privi-
leges he might have as President in the
appointment of officials in favor of Senators
and Representatives. He is also receiving
by proxy the forced contributions of govern
ment employees for the purpose of conduct
ing the campaign. These things are matters
of record, and cannot be disputed, and prove
conclusively that Garfield is not man fit to
be entrusted with the grave responsibilities
of the Presidential office.
If every citizen will compare the records
of the two men dispassionately, there need
be no apprehensions as to the result. One
will be found to be soldier faithful to every
trust in war, loyal to the civil powers in
peace, fully comprehending his duty at all
time and thoroughly versed in constitution
al law. The other was soldier for time,
but never smelt the smoke of battle and de-
serted the field for seat in Congress. He
is politician pure and simple, and has been
by expediency rather than by prin-
ciple. Under the guidance of the former the
republic will be safe: under the guidance of
the latter it would remain in the power of
those who have been plotting its overthrow,
and to establish strong central government
after the pattern of the monarchies of
Europe. There need be no fear of results,
for when the people come to render their de-
clslon it will be-recoried on the right side.