Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-07-11
THE BoLrIN0 INDBpBNDBNr8

or THE INDEPENDENTS WHO PROMISE SUPPORT
OF THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
To the Edit0r Of The tribune Sir. Among
the Independents, as they call themselves, are
many gentlemen whom am proud TO call my
personal friends, and whose love Of country
and desire for good government cannot be
questioned. Finding myself at odds with
such men in the present campaign, am con-
strained to examine with care the ground up
on which stand and to consider the reasons
they offer for seeking the defeat Of the Re-
publican ticket, rs we'll as the methods they
adopt for accomplishing their purpose.
sympathized heartily with them in their de-
sire to nominate Edmunds but in their pres
emit attitude Of open hostility TO the Republi-
can party as hopelessly corrupt, aud in their
profers Of assistance to the Democratic par
ty upon certain well-understood conditions,
am constrained alike by conscience aud rea-
son TO Rntagonize them. have studied the
subject as carefully as know how TO do, in
the light which the experience of long life
affords and l am compelled in all frankness
to say that their action presents spectacle
as grotesque as anything that l can remem-
Der in tue history of American politics. II
their attitude we're simply that Of men dis
pleased with the Republican ticket and plat
form, and scrupulous OF supporting them, 1
bhbuiu thlhh Ahou buAAtltu " Nl0 uNLlubb Ib-
spect and Difference But when their dissp-
pointment or even their disgust, IL they like
that word better, induces them to turn to the
Democratic party for consolation, and to ally
themselves with that party in order to defeat
their own, | must think their course incon-
sistent, undignifed and irrational, the result
not of sound judgment but of personal
and party passion.
Admitting even that the Republican party
has made mistake in the selection Of its
candidates. what is the Democratic party, that
the Independents should approach 1t with So
ductive pleadings and proffers of support
Mr.. Curtis, in one Of his speeches at Chicago,
has given us portrait Of that party, the &C
curacy Of which cannot be disputed.
We are confronted with the Democratic party very
hungry, and as you may well believe, very thisty; a
party without single definite principle party with
out any distinct National policy which II dares 10
present to the country party which fell from pow
er as conspiracy against human rights, aud now at
tempts to sneak back to power conspiracy for
plumber and spoils.
Who would have believed, when these
words fell from Mr. Curtiss lips, that he and
his associates in weeks time, would be seen
prohering their ballots to aid this party-this
conspiracy for plumber and spoils'-in gain
ing control of tine national government But
it will be said "They proifer their votes on
ly for good man." A good man, forsooth
A man who, during his whole political life,
has been identified, and is identified still,
with the party which Mr.. Curtis says is "a
conspiracy for plumber and spols !" What
business con good man have in such party,
or what hope of changing its nature aud OBJ
jects by getting himself elected to the Presi.
dency2 What would be or could he be in
Office but the creature of the party to which,
by natural affinity, he belongsH And what
are his professions of reform worth so long
as he remains member OF such party, en-
shaved by its habits its traditions and its
spirit? Have the Independents made the
wonderful discovery that grapes are gathered
of thorns and figs of thistles? Does the
worst party produce the best candidate? And
of what avail will be all Mr. Clevelands good
professions when he once finds himself in his
little canoe whirling around in the boiling
surges of Democratic politics in Washington,
the centre OF "a conspiracy for plumber and
spoils?" Should men who wish to reform
the church enter into partnership with the
devil?
Mr.. Thomas Wentworth Higginson, OBJ
serve, thinks party that has produced a
Samuel Tilden cannot be a dangerous party.
But If Mr.. Tilden's political and personal
record is tried by the strict standard which
the Independents insist upon applying to Mr..
Blaine, to say nothing of the elements Of e1-
aggeration aud suspicion which they are 80
ready to use in the case of the latter, what
sort of a man is heS Certainly one Of the
trickiest and most INSCRIPTIONS ever known
in American politics And yet Mr.. Higgin.
son, after turning his back upon the Republi-
can party as no longer pure enough to enjoy
his support, falls naturally into the habit of
eulogizing such man-one who has made
his fortune as railroad wrecker," and who
has been mixed up in some of the worst DO
litical frauds of his party.
The Independents too, are very scrupulous
in regard to political methods when they are
dealing with the Republican party. They
will not vote even for good candidate il the
machine" favors him. But in coquetting
with the Democratic party they are less par
ticular. II Grover Cleveland can only be
made the Democratic candidate, no matter by
what deals" or bargains" or what appli.
ances of the Democratic machine, they are
ready to take him and run for luck :" The
unit rule, as applied to the votes of q state in
a Republican convention is their adherence.
1t means, to their apprehension, giving the
party over to the control of bosses, and is
therefore not to be tolerated. But il the
same rule in Democratic convention can be
made to work in favor of Cleveland, they
will throw up their hats for very Joy It is
very important, In their estimation, that the
Republican party should not only be pure in
principle but irreproachRble in its modes OF
action, but if the party which is, as Mr.. Cur
tbs says, without single principle, and on
ly "a conspiracy for plumber and spoils, " will
only nominate for the Presidency, no matter
from what motives or by what means, Ger.
tain candidate, they are ready to accept him
with thanks and work for his election Nay,
they offer their votes openly for him in ad-
vance as bribe And this is what they call
reform in political methods
Now I insist that if Mr.. Curtis has not H.
belled the Democratic party, it cannot safely
be trusted by any Republican; and therefore
the present attitude of the Independents is
alike revolving and ridiculous.
OLIVER JOHNSON.
NEW YORK June % 1894