The Portland daily press., 1884-07-03

statement of Mr.. Mead's argument which
we have been able to find is in the Boston
Advertiser itself, that paper publishing
full synopsis four columns long with quota
| tions of all essential points, unmixed with
any comment or detraction. 1t was an ex-
cellent example of generous and candid
treatment of an adversary, which might be
commended to the imitation of some par
tisan journals in this State,-to that one,
for example, which republished from the
New York Tribune letter addressed to Mr.
Curtis and did not give its readers an oppor-
tunity to see Mr.. Curtis's reply which also
| appeared in the Tribune. The era OF that
kind of journalism, in which the editor
thinks it his duty to keep from his readers a
| just knowledge of the position of those who
disagree with him either in distrust of their
capacity to discover the truth or of his own
ability to meet an argument presented in the
language of those who advance it, is fast
passing away.
Mr.. Mead claims that neither of the rea-
| sonable causes for boiling exist in this case.
He says the party is not deterorating, but
improving; it is purer party, more amen
able to conscience, soberer and actualed by
higher purposes than in 1880 or 1876. The
nomination OF Mr.. Blaine was accomplished
| by fair means, and is confessedly the ex
| preston of the real choice of the majority
of the party. He is not Objectionable on
the score of incapacity, for he is acknowl-
1 odond RI bo of fho ~ in ability
! and accomplishments among the party s
leaders, and Mr.. Mead scouts the idea that
he is committed to Objectionable policies,
citing the former testimony add praise OF
some of the journals which are now fiercely
condemning him as reckless and dangerous.
But the most effective part of Mr.. Mead's
pamphlet, judging from what we have seen
of it, relates to tie fourth reason for bolt
ing, namely, that the character of the can
didate is bad. In this part of his letter be
makes good use of the judgments expressed
in the Boston Advertiser from day to day
during the famous investigation of 1876
when that paper stoutly maintained that
nothing had been produced which impeached
the honor of Mr.. Blaine or showed him to
be an unfit candidate for the Office of Presi.
dent. Mr.. Mead agrees now with the judg
ment expressed by the Advertiser then
which is in nhadiction OF its present
judgment, although there is no new evidence
relating TO the matter of that investigation
and no other charge affecting his honor.
The Advertiser has not yet replied to this
letter, except by a short editorial in which
the writer of it was treated with respectful
courtesy, and two suggestions were made e.
that the case against Mr.. Blaine was not al
contained in the Mulligan letters, and ~
that during the investigation referred to the
editor of the Advertiser (who is now dead
was in Europe, and the assistent editor who
was responsible for its conduct is no longer
connected with the paper.
1t is very evident that this pamphlet is te
become one of the standard campaign docu
uments. 1t meets the issue raised by the
boilers in the right way, not by de.
nouncing them for boiling but by attacking
the substantial reasons which they make a
pretext for boiling, and doing it not with
passion but with dignitY and reasonableness
Moreover it is written in terse and vigor
style which challenges attention and admir-.
alton.