The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-28
On the Defensive.

this latter sea; has been accomplished with
amusing effect. One OF the latest attempts
OF the Piumed Knights organs aud leaders
TO bring back crring Republican brethren
10 the Radical fold and reconcile the
masses TO the outcome at Chicago takes the
form OF plea that Mr.. BLAINE "is no
fool,v and that II elected he will he
"smart- enough 10 make his administra.
tion conform 10 the will OF the people.
They argue that desire TO stand well with
the country and strengthen his party and
himself win prevent him as President from
doing what might be expected OF him as a
politician. They tell us that no matter
how obnoxious his past career may be-no
matter how Objectionable may be the
methods he representa- he and the
party win repent and reform II the ticket
is successful. In word, ". BLaINE's
leaders and organs confess "-at his sins
and the SINS of his party are rs scarlet, but
beg for another chance on the ground that
they will make q virtue OF necessity. III
his II not weak point we do not know
expressive than elegant, ii is complete
.sgiye away.v The Boston Herald Nnde-
pendenO looks upon il III this light, and
in commenting, especially on the assurance
tina. Mr.. BLAINE "is 10 fool" aud II elect
cd may be relied upon to do everything
necessary to strengthen his party, says:
ali this is good reasoning for Mr..
Blaine, why is ii not equally good for the
Democratic party! Would the leaders OF
that organization be such fools rs TO pur-
sue course in Office which would result
in their getting turned ont rs soon as the
voters could get at themy II is charged,
FOR example, that the Democratic tarifl-re-
formers will, il they obtain power, destroy
American industries and reduce labor TO
conditions OF pauperism. Would that be
n rational method for keeping control OF
the Government? Probably seven tenths
OF The Democratic voters belong to the
JabOTing classes. Is il reasonable to
suppose that these voters would place
and keep IN power Il party whose
policy would cul down their wages
and increase the hard conditions under
which many OF them now live. A large
number OF Democrats are interested in
manufactures and other productive indus
tries. viii they be apt to give their money
and time to rein,tate party intent upon
breaking them down! III the instincts OF
Mr.. Blaine for startling effects and brilliant
moves in diplomacy, and his lifelong habit
OF treating the public offices rs party pa
tronage, can be safely trusted to the sub.
DUNG influences OF responsibility, and to
au ambition TO secure a second term, why
may not the same influences be relied on to
keep The Democrats from making fools OF
themselves:
ave do not forget the genius for blum
deriDg displayed by the Democratic lead
ers in their long endeavor to regain power,
nor overlook the failures they have made
i'm Congress. But to deny TO them the ca
pacity for learning wisdom from expert
enee. or of proflting by disc pline, is to
deny them human attributes. One half
the voters OF this country, an they all in
one party, are Eeither enemies OF the Gov
erument nor incapable OF conducting its
affairs. In the twenty-five state govern
meuls now under Democratic control there
is no reason TO believe that the interests OF
the people are not as well looked after as
they are i'm the fewer number Of States that
are under Republican control. Nor is
there any reason to suppose that the con-
Germs Of the nation would not be as safe in
Democratic rs in Republican hands il a ca
pable and trustworthy man were elected"
The Hcrdld'S logic speaks for itself. Yet
il has broader meaning than is apparent
in the simple fact that it HOSTS the BLAINE
organs and the BLAINE leaders with their
own petard. when we remember that the
Herald has held most pronounced views re-
parding taria'roform, what il say abOve rela-
tive to the tariff, taken in conjunction with
the general tone OF its article, is very signi-
ficant. Our contemporary recognizes that
the vital issue OF the hour IS general reform,
that that issue must take precedence OF all
o,hers. and that its own opinions and
the opinions OF those IL represents
on minor issues are small matters
compared with the work OF securing
uuIe administration. Ii recognize:
that the present outlook affords every
evidence that the Democratic party will be
true to It's promises, and it is willing to
trust the party to do what is best for tho In
terests Of the whole people. 1t recognizes
that IN general reform is involved a Judi
cious settlement OF all other qu' stioDs 10y
wise and lust legislation. 1t takes the high
and Datr,otic ground that must betaken by
all who are sincere in claiming TO reprobalC
the corruption and yenaiity which have SC
long been running riot in Administration
circles.
Recurring, however, to the defen-
siye attitude Of the BLAINE organs
and leaders-rccurring to the prom
ises that Mr.. BLAINE and his party
will reform il the ticket is elected
there Is this TO he impressed. There as q
vast difference between the situation In
the Republican party and the situation in
the Democratic party. The Republican
party promises reform as n matter OF atone
ment. and wonld excuse the support OF al
ol,iectlopable candidate who is indissolu
bN associated with Objectionable method
by assurances which are worth yer,
little. that he will il elected con
form TO the viii Of the people. Th
Democratic party promises reform a
am original proposition, and because
is right, and has given the people ever.
reason to believe il will nominate maj
whose record is in itself guarantee tba
he will conform 10 the will of the people
The Republican party, speaking through ii
organs and leaders, tells us will reform To-
the sake Of expediency. The Democrat,
psrty by It's acts stands pledged 10 reform
for the sake OF principle. 1t should not
therefore, be question with the thinking
masses which party is entitled TO their con