The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-07-14
MIR. GARFIELD's LETTER.

After the adoption Of the Chicago plat
form, the New York Times expressed the
opinion that it had failed to formulate the
Republican party. and il ventured to hope
that the letter OF acceptance OF the candi-
date would supply the lack. That letter has
now made its appearance only to show how
surely that hope was doomed to disap-
pointment. Mr.. Garfield's letter is only
q collection of commonplace, the feeble
echo of the off hand discussion in the press
OF the day. 1t neither announces principle
nor defines a policy in a bold and straight
forward way, or even 80 dimly outlined as
to entitle it to respect at the hands of Con-
gress, or of the people. Weak in matter, it
is lame in form. Devoid of ideas, ii has not
even the merit OF having Its words well put
together. Its literary merit is almost
nothing. Its inconsistencies are apparent
from the very first. Beginning with his
discussion Of the question of State
rights he shows that he has no
higher conception of this great issue
than might be imbibed from the narrowest
of prejudices. He does not discuss the ques.
ton; he only announces some of the weakest
OF platitudes, and dismisses il as un worthy of
serious consideration. And this is the
vital issue between parties-the issue
which was wisely left unsettled in the Con.
stitution, and which no lapse of time or
change of mere policies can settle and the
Government remain republican in form.
On the tariff he proves him.
self a straddler, and shows that he
is unable to take wide view
of this question which really affects greater
interests and more people than he per-
ceives in his treatment of it. He narrowly
restricts prinbiple 10 degrees of latitude
aud longitude. On finance his opinions are
more vigorous, because he happens TO have a
more consistent record so that he does not
continually run contrary to his own views
He deigns not a word, however, on the sill
yer question, the only branch of the question
concerning which the people entertain con-
hicting opinions on a matter of policy.
In the light of the known history of the
adoption of the civil service plank in the
platform, his comments upon it read like an
ther weight nor consistency, nor do they
formulate policy which gives
hope that his election would
contribute in the least to the practical solu-
ton of this great problem. On the security
of citizenship, the encouragement Of educa-
ton, cheap transportation, the improvement
OF the Mississippi River, he is studiously
brief and as studiously commonplace. On
the Chinese question he stultifes his entire
record in an attempt TO gain the support of
the Pacific States. This passage will read
strangely in contrast with his speeches and
votes on the question when his candidacy
was an unsupported honor.
Taken either as a whole or in part, ii is
thoroughly Disappointing. 1t weakens
rather than strengthens his canvass, and fit
tingly supplements the platform. He
courts favorable judgment only to add to
his already existing difficulties, and to ex-
tort a harsher verdict. The Chicago Conven-
ton made its bed, and now il must lie in it.
Mr.. Garfield hiss not contributed to ease or
prolong its rest.