Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1880-10-21
Gafoein Ghrion'
tchas, e. CasselI, A. NJ,
Editor.
e Gh q R 9e.99s:asseIl rnorn's
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2lst 1880.
EVVhnt In there in IL Candidate?


In this, as we presume it has been
in past and will be in future presden-
'tial campaigns, there are rome things,
that cause voters, who are in the habit
remembering and comparing asser.
lions made in the past, with profess
sions made during the present, to
wonder at the mutability Of things
political and the elasticity Of plat
forms, parties and candidates. The
two tickets. between which the en-
franchised are called upon to declde
in November next, present, in as
many phases, as any named in ths past,
or will likely be named in the futare,
this rema rkable contradiction of,deas,
as accepted in the past.
TO begin, we find the republicans
with candidate for president of whom
the party, officially through com
mittee in Congress and through its
press, spoke Of, as a man, whose hen
or was questioned and whose honesty
WAS doubtful and this. but seven
years ago and in connection with a
matter Of world wide notoriety, Cred.
it Mobilier. And now lie is their
candidate for tho highest Office within
their gift. This indicates a heavy
per centage ofgutta percha in the re-
publican pohtics! conscience, az We see
it.
Democracy has, for the past ten
years, been crying out against Shout
derstrap government at Washington,
ridiculing Grant IS president, because
Of his inexperisnco in civil government
and complaining that his modes could
be expected, only to be these of the
drumhead and we find them waglng
the present campaign, led by gener,
al reared at West Point, his life spent
in and seconl only ON, tho military
head of the army; not only led by him
but apparently depending as much
npon his wsr record for success, as
upon any one principle affirmed by
the party. This indicates a willing,
ness to make political maneuvrs,
rather than to stand guard over a ss-
cred political principle.
Again, the Chicago and Cincinnati
platform are automatic in their differ
once upon the subject Of Tariff, the
former proclaiming protection, The lat
tor FroeTrade doctrines.
The candidate on the high, pro:oc
tive tariff platform, the republican,
Nr. Garfield, is an honorary member
of the rsnowned British F'ros Trade
Club, theLondon Golden club, that FIRE
1usntly beseiges our Congress with
petitions in the interest Of Free Trade
and which organization sent Mr.
Garfield congratuatory telegram
upon bis nomination. And yet he Is
the candidate standing on nigh tar.
if platform.
Further, Gen. Hancock, nominated
by convention, that recognized in
the question Of tariff, something, not
only worthy of, but demanding a
place in their platform, admit: the
doctrine Of the Chicago platform, at
least in part, when he says, that
"TarilI is local question and is ego
tistical enough, to fly in the face of
three or four canvasses made be.
tween 1910 and 1860, when tariff
was accepted, between parties, as a
national issue.
Upon the subject Of tariff, if upon
no other, each candidate for the
presidency is flat contradiction Of
the principles enunciated by his par
y.
Upon the subject Of personal quail
fcations, if upon no other, each can
didate fatty contradicts assersions
made by their respective parties in
the past.
We have named but two, Of the
numerous inconsistencies, that must
become apparent to the intelligent
voter, upon but moments reflection
and are free to say, that, in SO far as
'he personal popularity, innate hon
esty, pronounced principles, or past
practices of the candidates are con-
eerned, We can see but little reason,
why they should be calculated upon
Or depended upon az being a forecast
as to what either Of them as president
or their party with them, might be