The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-09-27
BEN HARRISON.
The Indiana Senator's Opening OF the
Campaign.

Oou ArS uiucutS ADVANCED.
Senator Benjamin Harrison opened the cam
paign in Indianapolis before large audienc,
on Saturday night last. He said:
The campaign will hardly produce a NOR,
felicitous and comprehensive description o.
the democratic party than that given by George
W. Curtis in the republican national conven
ton in June last. He said:
"We are confronted with the democratic
party, very hungry, and, as you may well be-
neve, very thirsty; party without a single
definite principle; party without any dis
unct national policy which it dares to present
to the country; party which fell from power
as conspiracy against human rights, and now
attempts to sneak back to power as conspira-
cy for plumber and spoils.n r
Our democratic friends now very generally
concur in the opinion that Mr.. Curtis is man
OF great sagacity, This favorable opinion does
not perhaps, rest upon the quotation have
made but more probably upon the fact that
Nh Curtis has now become an active associate
In the conspiracy for plumber and spols." l
do not understand, however, that he has now
another or better opinion of the democratic
party. If he advocates the election of the dem
ocratic candidates, is not because they repre-
sent any definite principle" or have avowed
ANY distinct national policy" 1t is not be-
Saust TIE party mas ceaSeu 10 represent "a con-
spiracy for plumber and spoils," but because,
In the language OF the independent republican
platform, "the paramount issue of the presi-
Dental election of this year is moral rather
political" Mr.. Curtis and his associates have
concluded that public morals would be advanc-
ed and elevated by placing IN the control Of the
government party that he and they declare
has no higher purpose than 'plunder and
spolls." The newspapers that have imputed
to these gentlemen difference with their party
upon the subject Of the protection of Ameri-
can industry, as the real motive Of their or
gained bolt have done them a kindness-not-
wtthstanding the imputation involves a charge
OF insincerity. These independents, in their
platform, say 1--WE are very proud Of the great
record and services of the republican party,
but not with our consent or connivance shall
the record be disgraced;" and forthwith, to save
the republican party from disgrace, these gen.
tlemen leave us and go into the democratic
party. 1t was not our suggestion-we did not
think it was necessary-but perhaps they know
best hope they will not make the mistake
OF supposing that all public and private virtue
went out to the republican party when they
opened the door; or the more fatal one, that
the democratic party will cease to "conspir
acy for plumber and spoilsn by reason of the
sanctifying power of their presence. / can not
but think that these gentlemen themselves re-
greet that they refused to allow any issue to |
enter this campaign except that of the moral |
character OF the candidates. Their course in |
Nlltu personalities, anu tnere are always those |
who respond to such an invitation. The prayer |
OF the Pharisee invites a comparison, and that |
may involve unpleasant consequences. But If |
the issues of the campaign are moral do they
necessarily have relation only to the candl-
dates? Can notmoras be predicated of a party?
conspiracy against human rights' can not
be converted into moral propaganda by the
selection OF any leader. If the captain of the
Morning Starr were to be chosen to COM
mand pirate ship, you would not expect the
1fofk IL
the cargo of Bibles. 1t would be safer to sail
in the Morning STAR" even If 1t was found
that the captain mad not received ordination.
The ships papers are right.
There is not one of these Independents who
does not know, who has not In substance said,
that the republican party has an instinct for
The right side-the moral side-of public ques-
lions. 1t may not always have come up to the
highest expression of the truth, but 1t has been
IN the side of truth, and 1t has been
Who does not know, who has not
n substance said, that the democratic
party has an infallble instinct for the wrong
dde-the immoral side-of public questions. II
here has been, or is in this country in in
renched evil-one that has Notes.-The dem
'cratic party has never failed to enter into con-
Tention with it. There is a party conscience
md mo- ality as well as an individual, and If
he issue Of this campaign is moral rather than
,oliacal we appeal again to the moral senti-
las illustrated in its history the virtues Of phi
patriotism and public honesty, and
gainst party that has walked in friendship
nth slavery, treason and reputation.
These Cleveland republicans affect to have
iscovered since they made up their minds to
upport Mr. Cleveland that the democratic and
ppu olican parties do not essentially differ
ron questions Of public policy. Mr.. Curtis,
fr. SchuZ and many of their associates have
cen understood to be civil service reformers 1
rat hpv willing n hav ~ q
y comparison Of the two platforms upon the c
nbject of the civil service? In the republican
latform / read: /
"Refom of the civil service, auspiciously be- S
un under republican administration, should !
completed by the further extension of the q
form system already established by law to c
j the grades of the service to which 1t is ap- +
icable. The spirit and purpose Of the re- c
,iD should be observed In all executive ap- r
ointments. All laws at variance with the OBJ /
cts of existing reform legislation should be t
pealed, to the end that the dangers to free
situations which Turk in the power of official b
.tronage may be wisely and effectively Il
'oided." .
In the democratic platform 1 read "We s
vor honest civil service reform''-not word Ii
ore. Il
TWO DECLARATIONS. "
Now these two declarations may not make c.
nat the lawyers would call an Issue; but the S,
e is full, frank, candid endorsement of the T
pledge to extend the principle OF that law till y
blic offices shall cease TO be the spoils of fl
rty. The other is evasive, reluctant, COM Il
etc. 1t contains no Endorsement of the ex- C
ing law, and would not be crossed by its re- Il
al 1t is In the very terms used by demo- st
,ts who opposed and ridiculed the existing Ii
v. Mr.. Voorhees, has used In public speech II
lch the language of the platform, and yet he W
nounced the civil service law in the senate nj
an aggravation Of existing evils and voted al
anst It. He advised the southern senator's re
leap tom the dome of the capitol rather Is
An vote for 1t. His idea Of an "honest civil &c
vice reform" was thus expressed: "If the OF
nocratic party ascends to power, believe 1t OF
j be for the benefit Of the service. 1t will dc
rify it, give new life and new blood by MAX e1
a thorough and radical change" la
Mr. Hendricks, fresh from the convention, I'm
j one of its nominees, declares, In substance, IN
II he knows OF no way Of testing the honesty ore
the present incumbents OF the offices, OK 2,
II by turning them out and putting in DEM he
ats. He is sure that at least $1,000 should TN
at once. There is not a civil-service re- M,
mer In the country who does not know that Of
reform he cherishes and has made such =,
,ering progress will be turned back to its on
ing and the spring sealed upon the men elf
o framed the democratic platform at Chi rel
70 come into power. / prophesied year Br
that Mr. Pendleton would become lonely re,
reason Of the connection OF his name with Is