The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-03
Independents on Trial.

The charge of insincerity sometimes
made against the Independent Repub-
licans has been due to the readiness
with which, in their natural affection
for their old party, they have allowed
themselves to be imposed upon by false
| promises of reform and to be induced
to support undesirable candidates.
Their prejudice against the Democracy
has prompted them to trust men they
have known to be untrustworthy rather
than to change the character of the
| Administration.
They have heretofore had some ex-
cuse for temporizing with their own
conscience because their party conven-
tions have worn mask and have put
forth sinners in the disguise of saints.
But, in the nomination of Blaine and
Logan, there is no attempt to assume
the semblance of virtue, and the honest
element of the Republican party, in
stead of being hoodwinked, has been
defied.
1t is now clearly the policy as well as
the patriotic duty of the Independent
Republicans TO defeat MIR. Blaine and
to let their purpose be known publicly
and without fear. The hope of anv
future advantage to the country from
the Republican party lies in its effec-
tive and thorough reorganization and
its return to those noble principles
which have caused the name of Abra-
ham Lincoln to be revered in every
American home. These can not be eff
fected if Blaine and Logan should be
elected. Neither can they be made
probable if those candidates should be
defeated without the open, undisguised,
vigorous efforts of honest independent
Repu blicans.
Avowed and organized Republican
opposition to Blaine and Logan is the
seed from which alone a future and
purified Republican party can spring.
Let us ask honest Republicans to re-
feet and to say candidly whether it
would really be bad thing for the
country to elect Democratic Presi-
dent. We need not recount the corrup-
tions which through long tenure of
Office have sapped and undermined the
integrity of the Republican party. The
Independent Republicans are well aware
of the failings of their office-holders
and leaders, and for that reason they
banded themselves together this year
to compel q reputable and honest
nomination. They failed to secure
what, in the interest of the party and
of the country, they sought. They
must surely be ready to concede that it
would be better to let the Democrats
hold four years of power than to allow
the Republican party to be responsible
for four years of Blaine.
Why should prejudice and narrow
partiSanship make honest and honora-
bic Republicans dread Democratic
Administration? If the Democracy
should prove incapable, unfaithful or
corrupt, a purified Republican party
would take back the Government at the
hands of the people in 1888. 1t would
not be possible then to purchase the
Southern votes of Republican Con-
vention or to force an improper candi-
date on the party by clsmor and clap
trap. If the Democratic party, on the
other hand, should restore the National
Government to simplicity, honesty and
economy; if by wise and conservative
action it should promote the best inter-
ests of the nation; if it should remove
the evil of official corruption; if it