The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-07-23

calm and wise Judgment, sole regard for the pub
lie welfare and unshrinkiDg determination to pro-
mote reform In the civil service and ceaselessy to
pursue and punish public robbers of every kind and
degree.
The independent voters have generally supported
the Republican nominations as more surely promis-
ing reform than those of the Democratic party In
dependents however cannot support q nomination
which is the elimination of tendency that they
under such leadership as we have mentioned, the
abuses of the past be corrected or the party re-
formed
We are very proud of the great record and servic-
es of the Republican party but not with our con-
Sc or connivdnce shall its record be disgraced
Every party must be consistently renewed by the
intelligent independence of its members or it will
sink from an agency to secure good judgment into
remorseless defeat
The Republican party first sprung from a moral
sentiment 1t was party of political morality. 1t
appealed directly to the conscience of the citizen
But like all parties it was political agency not to
be worshipped but to be carefully held to the spirit
and purposes on which and for which 1t was organ
lied.
II do not know" said Mr.. Seward thirty years
ago when he left the Wing party to join the Repub-
lican, 'that it will always and long preserve
its courage, its moderation and its consistency If
it shall do so it will secure and the country If
it, too, shall become unfaithtul as all preceding
parties have done it will without sorrow and regret
on my part, perish as they are perishing and will
give place to another truer and better one" That
reasoning must not be forgotten. It Is with pro
found conviction of its wisdom that Republicans
faithful to party, but holding with great Republican
luab pOlGicdl ana purify Oh
istration are more precious than party, are more
constrained to oppose the Republican presidential
nomination in the interest of what they believe to
be pure Republicanism, of public welfare and of
honor of the American name.
The Republican nomination has for a time super
seeded all other issues by raising question of
official honesty. The question cannot be avoided
except upon the plea that the official character of
candidates need not be considered and that in order
to secure to the party its President members of the
party ought to vote for any candidase regularly
nominated. This is plea beyond which party
madness cannot go. To aequiesce in it would re-
quire the surrender of the sef-respect of every
voter. There conld be no candidate unfit that
this plan would not demand support, and the Re-
publican success justified by an argument which
dehes the public conscience would be overthrow
OF vital principle of the party and show that the
spirit and character which created its great tradi
lions are rapidly pershing
The platform then concludes with earnest
support of the character and fitness of Cleveland as
Presidential candidate.
Mr.. Curtis was frequently interrupted by APP
plaHse, and Wien he had finished he resolutions
were adopted without dissenting voice.
MIR. Williams of Massachusetts, in few remarks,
criticised the action of Gov Long of Massachusetts
and Theodore Roosevelt of New York in endorsing
Blaine after having denounced him in the conyen-
tion and he denounced the rule of the convention
which compelled delegates to stand by the choice of
the party.
Mr.. Everett of Quincy, Mass, offered resolution
naming Cleveland and Hen ricks as the nominees
OF tae conference but it was laid on the table, and
soon after the conference adjourned.
After adjournment the national committee dis
eussed a plan Tor permanent organization, but no
definite action was TAKEN and the matter was re,
most efficient work could be done in New York New
Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. and strong
efforts WILDE made to defeat Blaine in those states.
majority of the members are in favor of Conduct
ing the campaign in an independent manner, with
perhapf occasional conferences with Dumocrats to
avoid possible collision.