The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-10-19
The independent Republicans.

It Is safe to predict for the Independent
Republican movement an ephcmeral term OF
existence. II indeed it has not virtually ceased
to exist already The Democratic supporters
OF Mr.. CLEVELAND appear to be OF this mind
They have dropped all mention OF 1t, and are
putting forth vigorous measures to strength
on the National Prohibition party, which OPP
crates directly against the Republicans.
The collapse OF the Independents was in
evitable from the outset. BY the nomination
Of Mr.. BLAINE, and the adoption OF tho dog
ma OF protection In the platform, the Re-
publican party declared its opposition to
he policy of free trade. This position was
oven more uncquivocally established by Mr.
3LAINE's elaborate letter Of acceptance The
Independents had neither courage nor man
illness to meet this issue. They had made free
trade their shibboleth, but their following was
too limited ind uncertain to be OF any real
.igniiicance in a political contest. Accord
ingy, they craftily attempted to disguise
the matter, and raised the cry that the Is
sues OF the canvass were not political, but
moral. They went back near twenty years,
to IN era in our history which was famous
for official profgacy, and revived charges
against Mr.. BLAINE from the period when
tho Credit Mobilier was in operation and the
star of Grantism was ascending the horizon.
Our opposition to Mr.. BLAINE ever since
the day OK his nomination, has been pro-
nounced and unequivocal. 1t has not been
based, however. upon dead issues or ancient
scandals so much as upon reasons which are
In full force to-day. We are opposed to him
not alone on account OF his character, but
still more Oh account Of his narrow, bigoted
and sectional policy, which hes been persist
cd in through long series Of years for ends
purely partisan, thus arraying one part OF
the population of our country against tho
other. We object to the prodigality with
which he, in common with his party, has
wasted the public domain, bcstowing 1t with
lavish hand upon vast monopolics. Wo
blame him for his participation in extrava-
giant grants of public money for improper
purposes, every dollar OF which was wrung
from the labor OF the country. He is largely
responsible for the useless expenditure OF
S379,000.0O0 upon navy which to-day does
not exist. We oppose him because he, above
all other men, represents the vcnality,
corruption, and reckless partisanship OF
the Republican party.
But suppose we concede that Mr.. BLAINE
is Justly chargeable with the other enormi-
tics imputed to him, such MS the improper
use OF his official power for the manipulation
OF the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad
grant, and the like, it may nevertheless be
asked whether any man, woman, or child in
these United States imagincs for single
moment that he will, If he shall be elected to
the Presidency, be concerned in any scheme
for the purpose OF securing pecuniary ad-
vantage. We for one, entertain no such
opinion. As he Is not natural fool, 1t will
naturally be his aim and ambition to make q
conservative and decent administration.
1t Is worthy OF remark that the nnwspa-
pers which have been most conspicuous In
this movement are the very ones that took
the leading part in the monumental swindle
OF the age the fraud OF the Electoral Com
mission OF 1876, which deprived the country
OF the President who had been elected, and
imposed another upon tho people. Among
these journals the .Nep York Times and
EreniaO P0stwere foremost. In view of their
agency in this transaction we may justly in
quire into the motives of the men who then
swallowed camel, but are now affecting to
strain at a gnat. They began by ransack-
ing Mr.. BLAINE's past record for scandalous
incidents, exaggcrating them by tho aid OF
pcriured witnesses and hinging them at him
with extraordinary vtuperation and feroci-
ty. The trick appeared for time likely to
10 successful; SO much so. indeed, that the
mnnipu.ators were bold to claim that here
in New York ut least the majority OF the
Republicans had deserted their candidate
They next sct about securing the nomina-
ton OF GROVER CLEVELAND for President
They had satisfied themselves that he was n
man after their own kind. and trusted that
his very obscurity and mediocrty would
make him available as a candidate, and a
plant tool for their ends. They succeeded
In effecting his nomination, and for time
they sang pteans to the conquering hero
But their period OF exultation was brief The
disclosures OF Mr.. CLEvELANDs persona
history revealed him as man unworthy Of
regard low in his associations, leprous with
immortality. periidious, whose name was
noisome In the nOstrils OF every virtuous
woman and upright man who know him
Whatever might be uttered against the repu
tation OF the Republican candidate was cast
into the shade and out OF sight by the In
famous deeds OF GROVER CLEVELAND.
Tho Independent Republican movement
has got its dcath-blow In Ohio, and Is nov
waiting for the November elections to hid
1t from public sight. Few now remain will
1t except the professed FREQ traders. Thei
predloament Ii curious one. They sustain
no normal relations with the Democratic
party. They are supporters OF CLEVELAND
; out hardly friends of HENDRICKS. As avowct
Republicans. they can take no part consist
emily In any canvass for minor Democratic
hN InCliuAh q
tbs outset 70 act with them are sensi
bls Of their oauivocal position - NOM
beGs Of No responsible political o.