The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-07-05
OttaWa Free TRADER.
The Political Situation.

The Political Situation.
The Republican party having made it:
nominations for both federal and state exec
utive and published its declaration of prin.
ciples or platform, we are able to examine
both, and we think no sane mar who has
been member of the party for the last
twenty years, can do this and not exclaim
How are the mighty fallen" Lincoln,
Grant Hayes, Garfield were none Of them
mere politicians, none of them mere place
hunters and each had an honorable if not n
brilliant record. Each, too, had positive
opinions on many questions of National
policy which he had clearly expressed and
was not ashamed Of and each had by his
conduct in the past bound himself TO policy
which excited no apprehensions for the fu.
ture in the minds Of thinking men. Can as
much be said Of Mr., Blaine? What measure
Of any importance has he originated? Of
what great question has he shown himself
master? What are his views on finance, the
tariff, copyright, and territorial extension {?
Does he favor the present silver coinage sys-
TEN Will he urge tariff revision? Will he
advise a change in our navigation laws I?
viii he recommend subsidies to encourage
shipbuilders? Or is his only mission in this
world to wave the "bloody shirt" ON all
possible occasions, to write partizan history
and persecute the inoffensive Chinaman. the
only nationality coming to our shores which
does not burden our prisons, fill our door
houses and aim at seizing and running our
government in their own fashion The Re.
publican party has for years-has ever since
Its birth claimed to be the party of reform
II so, reform Of what? 1t has called
itself the party of purity. Was it to demon.
strate its love Of purity that it nominated
for the presidency man whose name is un.
deniably connected in very suspicious man.
ner with adisreputable railroad affair? Let
those who will ignore Mr.. Blaine's connec-
ton with the Little Rock g. Ft Smith rail-
road; the fact remains that Mr.. Blaine was
connected with some very curious transact
tions-yea more, was pecuniarily interested
in them. Again, Mr.. Blaine passes as a
statesman and as such his admirers delight
to exhibit him to the world. But what has
he done to merit that title? A statesman 10
one familiar with the affairs of his own and
other countries, with their aims and policy
with international law He must be a man
of large requirements, much foresight and
sound judgment. Mr.. Blaine for a time T
filled position in which he had fairly
good opportunity to show forth his abilities
as statesman. AS Secretary of State he
could have proved pas. cavil that he really
knew what international Law means, that he
had read Wheaton, heard of Grotius and knew
hat Vattel had lived. But in vain will one !
search his state papers for the slightest init. ,
nation that ]. g. Blaine has ever heard of
International law or has the least conception g
IF national etiquette or courtesy. Is such :
nan safe person to place at the helm of I
he ship Of state? Is he qualified to direct
he management of our foreign relations, al
Ways delicate matter and promising in the ,
ears before US to be increasingly so? Ger
ainly not unless We are anxious for difficult :,
les and complications and perhaps foreign .
vars. Mr.. Blaine is a dashing leader, an I'M
afe guide, a headless pilot, and should not ;,
'e trusted with the management of great and :,
important affairs. If the duty of chief :,
magistrate consisted chiefly in delivering ;,
minated and fiery harrangues to the world. !,
lr Blaine might. he said to possess some !,
for the office, but as this is his :,
most obvious accomplishment and as this is >.
worthless as presidential capital we must N
Onsider him wholly unit for that high posi- =,
ion. He seems TO have met with reasonable :,
uccess in selling the stock of the Little 4,
Jock & Fort Smith railroad and would per :,
APPS do well in hunting market for dilapi- hi
ated railroad securities at least he would 90
e less dangerous at that than in the pres,.
entail chair. Mr. Blaine certainly reIre
,nts no reform, he is not the embodiment N