The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-12
INDEPENDENT VOTERS AND MR.. BLAINE

1NDhrhNDhN1 VO1bhO AMI NM Dhh1Nh'
The few independent Republicans now
wrought up to the saying of foolish things
and the commission Of indefensible acts must
soon realize the fact that they are left with
out excuse or apology for their conduct. The
friends of Senator Edmunds of President
Arthur and of Senator Sherman presumably
went to the Chicago convention simply as
Republicans DESTROYS of the partys best in
terests. They went there in common with
other Republicans, each fully persuaded that
his particular candidate was the best one to
name to secure success in November
next to be supplemented by four years
of Republican rule vastly better
than any Republican could hope for from any
man named and elected by the Democratic
party. The men who are now threatening to
bolt the nomination made at Chicago went to
that convention for the purpose of nominating
Senator Edmunds, man in every way supe-
riOr to any the opposition could possibly put
forward. Had Mr.. Edmunds been nominated
these Independent Republicans would have
been quick to denounce the supporters of Mr..
Blaine had they dared undertake to bolt the
ticket. In other words, while fully advised
before the assembling of the convention that
Mr.. Blaine was very strong candidate,
they went into it asking the cooperation
of Mr. Blaine's friends in event of Edmunds's
selection. That such support would have
| cheerfully and Loyalty been given, there is no
reason to doubt and no man has yet had the
temerity to say otherwise By strange para
dox, the F'reformers" in that convention were
treacherous. Their presence there was tacit
pledge of their Republicansm. Asking the
support of others, they were in honor bound
to accord the same to the men who might be
chosen in case their favorite was not named
unless there was some prevailing reason upon
their consciences justfying them in the bolt.
Unless they have suddenly discovered evil
dence that the majority, the great mass Of the
Republican party, is corrupt and
venal, they have no right to
desert and attempt to betray it because in an
open field and fair fight they were defeated in
getting some certain man named. Is it posi-
BILE that in the minds of Republican reformers
there is so slight difference between the Re
publican and the Democratic parties that it
disappears altogether in the event of the refu-
sal of the Republican party to accept some
certain candidate? Has it come to that pass
that any one man in this great political organ
ization is more virtuous and more to be trust
ed than is the great mass of people that do the
voting9 Is popular government and govern
this republic may no longer rule through ex-
pressed majoritiesG
| There is we think, but one possible ex-
cuse for bolt from the action
If the reformers can show that the selection
of Blaine was brought about by trickery or
dishonorable tactics in or out of convention;
if they can show that unfaiIness was practiced
against their favorite, or even that machinery
hostile to the popular will was employed to
the defeat of Mr.. Edmunds, or any other can
didate before that convention OF that the can
didate is not fitted to be member of the Re
publican party, then, and then only, would
they be justified in refusing to longer coop
crate with the men who went in on equal
terms with them to select nominees accept
able to all So far from this being the CASE
no hint has yet been made, even by the men
now disposed to desert in the face of the enc
my, of any irregular or questionable thing be-
ing done by the advocates of the man from
Maine 1t is now matter of political record
| that cannot be controverted that the manage
ment of Mr.. Blaines cause before the national
Republican convention was one of the most
honorable ever undertaken in the history of
political conventions. There was no bitter
ness manifested by his advocates at
any point in the proceedings; no dis
position to stubbornly fight for any
technical or real advantage. The committee
on credentials was given the widest latitude,
and its adverse decisions were passed almost
unquestioned by the ''Blaine men, But new
er, at any moment, was there visible weak
ening of the confidence that the sympathy of
that body of representative men was with
their champion. How well they were justified
in the feeling is now too apparent to need
pointing out. At no time was combina-
ton against him possible The men
who favored Arthur or Logan were for
Blaine when the 'break" should come
Behind all these delegates were the Republic
an voters of the entire country, and their