The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-08-08
Why He Is a Republican.
A Letter from President Capen of Tufts
College.



The following letter recently appeared in
the New York Tribune:-
Sir: The New York Times of this morning. in its
report of the meeting of Independents held in Bos-
ton yesterday for the purpose OF choosing dele
gates to the New York Conference, announces that
my name was among these placed upon the list. L
beg to say that this use of my name is wholly with
out authority. fully share the views entertained
by many of those who call themselves Indepen-
dentss 1 entertain for many of them the highest
respect, and have for some the warmest personal
regard; but have never for moment sympa-
thized with the Independent movement. The only
possible outcome of it in the present contest is the
election of the Democratic candidates. To that re-
suit am unwilling to lend my influence Whatey-
candidates, as Republican can but recognize the
right of the friends of Messrs. Blaine and Logan
all honorable efforts for their nomination They
have rendered service to the party, and through
the party to the country, as distinguished as any
men of their time.
But opposition to the Independent movement
and my devotion to the Republican party and its
candidates rest upon more substantial grounds.
The Independents are civil service reformers. So
l. Is it possible for anybody to forget that civil
service reform, practical measure, began to be
enforced under the administration of President
Hayes, was continued under Garheld's, and under
Arthur's has been carried to degree of perfection
which its most ardent advocates scarcely dreamed
it could attain in this generation? Moreover, the
spos system in its most odious phases is the oath
some legacy OF the Democratic party; and it seems
to me that one must be obtuse In all his faculties
who fails to perceive that the motive which now ex
cites the Democracy almost frenzy is the desire
to obtain control once more of the Federal patron
age.
The Independents are free traders So am l.
But Democratic House of Representatives has not
furnished a very brilliant illustration Of the dispo-
sition of the party to make judicious modification
of the present tariff and hence, though think the
position of the Republican party that subject as
unwise it is unscientifc do not propose TO jump
out of the frying pan into the fire.
The Independents are opposed to legislation which
discrlmnates against Asiatc and in favor of Euro
pean Immigration. SO am l. But under which par
ty is the grand principle of the brotherhood OF men
most likely to be applied? Under that which sought
to rivet chains irrevocably upon the limbs of the
black man, which exhausted every device to throw
open the territories of the Union to slavery, and
which to day permits without rebuke its members
to hunt negroes with bloodhounds and to shoot white
men who dare to espouse their cause, under that
which broke the shackless of servitude, undid the
heavy burdens and proclaimed liberty to all men Of
every race and condition?
But the most potent reason of all with me is the
traditional one. have carefully observed the atti
tude and movements of the Democratic party for
twenty years. In my Judgment it has learned moth
it is not only swayed by tina same principles but to
large extent, guided by the same men. Grover
Cleveland may be very pure man personally. But
he is the organ of the Democratic party and If elect
ed, will have to execute the will of the party, Just
as MIR. Blaine is the organ of the Republican party
and chosen, must carry out the purposes of those
who have placed him in power. Above all, though
this declaration will be hailed with the cry of the
bloody shirt cannot forget, do not wish to for
get that the Democratic party which now seeks the
suifrages of the people is the same party which, in
its struggle to perpetuate slavery, not only plugged
the nation into civil strife, but by the hindr ces
which it interposed to the vigorous prosecution of
the war prolonged it. Billions of the public debt
and the headstones which mark the resting places Of
hundreds ofthousands of our brayest are per-
petual witness of the reereancy and shame of the
Democratic party. The Republican party is that
under whose standard the nation was saved. 1t is
the party that has steadfastly demanded Justice and
education for the freedman. 1t is the party which
conquered its anmosities and not only forgave but
rehabihtated rebels and welcomed them again to a
full share in the counsels of the government they
sought to-destroy. 1t ia the party under hose ad-
mlnistration business has been revived and the
pledges of the government have been redeemed, so
that dollar in paper is worth dollar in gold in
every part of the national domain. 1t is the party
which has inaugurated civil service reform, and
which if allowed will carry it forward to perfection
hese are few of the reasons why am Repub-
can and shall what little influence possess for
the election of its candidates E. H. CAPEN
Saratoga Springs July II 1884