The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-11-01

Two Spte'hfn'
Last evening oct. 22d, Messrs. Gum, OF
Tonics and l.. l.. Thompson, OF Ottawa
spoke at Farm Ridge at a Republican rally
The burden of Mr.. Gums Jeremiad was the
surprising honesty of the Republican party
end the extreme thievishness OF the Demo
cratic marty. Mr.. &. wearied his hearers
natience with vast array OF hg,res' 'he
outcome of which was not however that
the Republican party is amodel OF honesty,
hut that as time has advanced and the
means of communication become more per
feet the revenue is more fully collected ana
collectors are held 10 more strict account
But Mr.. G. forgot and il is strange that all
the Republican orators and writers forget
10 note that one per cent. OF the present IN
come of the Nation is about five per cent
of its income pnor to the war There Is
nothing more delusive in comparisons thah
q series Of percentages, unless the basis on
which they are calculated are also given
II is moreover wholly uncertain what the
losses 10 the revenue have been for some
time back. We know that Capt. Howgate
"a n defaulter 10 a considerable amount
that the Star Route frauds have absorbed
an appreciate part of the national income
that there have been some frauds In the
navy department, &c. How much more OF
this will investigation revealS Besides
such comparisons show badly for Washing
toms administration, which would seem to
have been a very dishonest one. who be
lieves this? Who believes that Jackson
was dishonest or connived at dishonesty
Did any president ever surround himself
with a more untrustworthy set OF men than
Gen Grant? Has any candidate ever kept
more INSCRIPTIONS company than Mr.
Blainey So much for Mr.. Gums argli'
ment. He compared the candidates, gave
a sketch of Mr. Blaine's career and extolled
his genius by attachments, but failed TO call
attention to those monuments of toll and
erudition, his dispatches while Secretary OF
State What he has done for the United
States what measures he has originated OF
any importance to any one he did not say.
II seems he has been so busy In specializing
and log rolling that he had notime for any
hing else. His services in waving the
bloody shirt are all that can be shown and
they were not particularly spendid.
Mr.. Cleveland, he stated, had no exper
fence In public affairs, The presidency is,
we believe, an executive Office, and where
has Mr. Blaine had SO much of this eXper
iences 1t cannot be said that the Speaker
ship Is in its nature a counterpart to that
of president. Is not the office of Governor
Of New York an executive office? Is not
the Office Of Mayor an executive Office Is
not that of Sheriff an executive office ?
Then it seems that Mr.. Cleveland's exper
fence is quite as great, quite as extensive
as Mr. Blaine's. He may not, and we all
hope he does not wish to know as much
about the Little Rock IL Fort Smith and
Northern Pacific bonds as Mr.. Blaine, but
in all besides we believe him, in spite of
Mr thompson dulcet utterances, the peer
Of Mr. Blaine.
Mr.. Thompson neglected, as all Republi
cans do, the only means OF comparing the
two candidates, that is comparing their of
fetal papers. Somehow Republicans seem
10 dread Mr., Cleveland's messages and ut
terances, but Mr.. Blaines platitudes and
false congratulations charm them from aiar.
He can tell our farmers, who are protected
in nothing, how we owe all our prosperity
20 a tariff when the truth is, and he knew
II, that we export scarcely any manuiac-
tured goods but all raw and unprotected
articles. But then Republcanism has been
living for some months In an atmosphere
Of Misrepresentation and villication and
Of course its speakers cannot be expected
10 deal fairly and honorably with any ques.
ton. But these arguments shook no ones
faith. All the Democrats we have heard
from are firmer IN the faith than before
and we do not learn that any Republicans
was strengthened, or one prohibitionist
shaken In his faith.
II seems to US that good cause is always
made stronger by telling the truth. And
as far as we can Judge the Democratic
leaders have shown much the most fairness
in conducting the campaign. They have
fought Mr. Blaine with his own words and
statements They have quoted his letters
and speeches, letters which he acknowl'
edges are his, too, but the Republican party
has, while assailing Mr.. Cleveland for his
official acts carefully and we think most
dishonesty, refused to give his reasons as
stated in his veto messages and other iocu-
ments. Are they afraid 10 tell the truth :
Is il fair TO say because a man attends Scn.
day school conventions and religious gath.
erings that he does this because he has
weakness tor roast chicken and rich cake;
Are we not honestly bound TO take mans
statements until il is proven that he Is dis
honest If 50 the Republican party has in
this sinned previously and keeps SHINING TO