National Republican., 1884-06-12
Attitude Of the Perfeetlonl.l..

The nominations Mt Chicago, made against tho
most friendly republican remembrance. have
forced upon republicans the couviCtl0a that tho
great objects Of the republican party honest and
economical administration, peaccir' eid honor
able foreign relations the progrssliy, publication
of the public service at home, wsu induction Of
the revenue, and that sense Of general security
which springs from tho moral elevation OF tho
administration-are not to be expected from re-
publican success.
So writes the immaculate George William
Curtis in Ha,per's Weekly. True, most gra-
cious purist. The country must look to tho
democrats for "honest and economical admin.
public SERVICE" and moral elevation" gem
orally. The democratic party is notorious
for its purity. 1t is pure in spots-tho spots
where it fourishes in hopeless minority. Tho
John Kcllys of the democratic cities have done
much to inspire the masses with undying
confidence in democratic moral cleanliness.
Put the masters of all tho arts of political
corruption and personal dishonesty in cities
in control of national affairs and great re-
forms will be inaugurated at once. Ropubli-
can defeat means democratic success 1t can
mean nothing else. 1t therefore becomes the
highest duty of the true porfectionist repub-
lican to aid in tho elevation to power of tho
party of pollution, an organization that is
rotten through aud through.
How ridiculous it is to set up tho claim
that the democratic party will give us n moro
honest and economical administration than
we now have, or that it will purify the civil
service or elevate the tone of tho administra-
tion. Mr.. Curtis does not say that this will
bo the case, but when he says that Fidelity to
republican principles requires indifference to
present republican success" he makes public
proclamation that democratic is preferable to
republican success. Ho has denounced the
democratic party for years as the embodiment
of all that is dangerous to the best interests
of tho country, Indeed, he damns it
in the very article from which tho
above extract is taken, yet in tho same
breath no declares, in effect, that he will
work for the triumph of that detestable party
by hostile Indifference to the republican
ticket. There is no consistency, no reason,
no logic in such position.
We are at the present moment in the full
enjoyment of an "honest and economical
administration" peaceful and honorable
foreign relations" "a progressive puriAcation
of the public service at home," and % sense
of general security which springs from the
moral elevation of the administration" The
republican party stands pledged to contin-
uation of this admirable condition OF things.
The mon who were nominated al
Chicago for president and vice
president will carry out tho policy of the
party. To attempt to do otherwise would be
suicide. No fears need be apprehcnded that
Mr.. Blaine's administration will be dishonest
and extravagant. or that with him in the
white house our foreign relations will become
warlike and dishonorable, that the progressive
publication of the public service will be
checked, that there will be an increase in the
revenue, or that public morals will be de
graded. Mr.. Blaine may have upright ant
downright notions touching tho rights of
American citizens abroad. Every patriotic
American honors him the NOR
on that account. Because of hi,
belief in the maintenance o
our national honor abroad it docs no
follow that he will plunge tho country int,
foreign war. 1t will be safe, however, t.
say that his policy will not be pusilanimous
and that under its operations tho American
flag will bo respected. Increased conseI
vatism comes with added responsibility ant
Mr. Blaine will not provo an exception t
, the rule.
, If the perfectionists have no better excus
/ to offer for bolt or suIking than Mr.. Curti
has given, the republicans have nothing I
fear from tho uprising" The uprisers wi
@ not be long finding out that they have not
n leg 20 stand on.