New-York tribune., 1884-10-04
WHY HE rs FOR BLAINE.
uncE ToURGEE's VIEWS OF POLITICAL
DUTY

,o,h, Editor Of The Tribune
SIN: see that The Ereaing Post is terribly ex-
.-csed because after having opposed Mr.. Baincs
domination with all the vigcr could command.
non advocate his election. 1t produces article
~ mime written last April and declares that my
rcsen, attitude is novel spectacle of insinccrty
md tersiyersation." That 1 opposed to the
onination of Mr.. Blaine and exerted myself
ac,ivelv to secure his defeat long as there was
-. bone of doing So is fact as well known as my
80, rersonality. The motives which influenced me
- so doing are precisely identical with those which
NOW lead me to advocate his election In comparl-
son with others in the Republican party. thought
him ne tier the strongest the ftest man for the
Presidential nomination. i therefore considered 1t
NV duty to oppose his candidacy, which did
oneuly and earnestly. The Republican Convention
AID not agree with me and nominated Mr. Blaine.
The Democratic party took the advice OF The Post
and nominated Mr.. Cleveland The Post II main
tenance of what it terms consistency supports Mr..
Cleveland. In discharge of what conceive to be
most important duty support Mr.. Blaine. The
Post saws this indicates n growing readiness on
the part of men who claim the position of moral
leaders. to silence their consciences ior any
party purposes. however base
This conclusion shows the inability of the writer
70 appreciate any motive beyond that Of mere per
sonal advantage that could influence IN his
pohtical action. Very fortunately my views OF
party discipline and party allegiance have not tn
bc formulated for the occasion. have always main
tanned that party has night to demand the sup
port of citizen whenever he satisfied that its
success would be porc likely 10 enhance the true
interest of the country than the success OF IFS OPP
poncnts. II has also been pr nciplc which nave
lost no opportunity to enforce upon the young incn
Of tho country that the most dangerous and Mt the
same time the most dcspicabc class OF men III the
conutry are those people who either refuse to vote
at all because everything IN not exactly 10 thcr
notion. or else throw away their vote upon siic
issues and scratch.candidstcs instead oi taking
their lharc of responsibility for the election or de-
feat of Que or the other Of the candidates whom
thcfo l. "a possibility OF clccting. Solon provided
IN his laws that the Athcnian who stood neutral Ia
a .odition should bc disiranchlscd The same
fate should be visited upon every man, who. seeing
the contest between two great parties. ana thcir
chosen representatives for the control OF the Gov
,lumeut aud knowing 10 u moral certainty tlat
one or the other of them must prevail does not give
his voice and his for that party the success OF
which he deems most likely To subscrve the public
veal had then To elect between two things: The
Republican party with Mr.. Blaine as its candidate.
aud the Democratic party with Mr.. Cleveland as Its
candidate The only criterion by which they were
10 bc Judged was the future good OF the country
so far a. "any party purpose is concerned. know
Of no other purpose that Justify the existence
of party or constitute any ground of appeal to the
citizens support Certainly, there could be none in
my case. Mr.. Blaine is not Il man who forgVes or
forgcts personal opposition. SO far as l am lndi-
yiduaily concerned. had adopted the view which
rccurs so naturally to the managers OF 1he F0s my
interest would no dOubt have been subserved had
ctber ioined the so-called Independents securing
the defeat of the Republican party or Kept quiet
and allowed Others to light losing battle, if 1t
oh 4, he Snch and after IL nave
bcasted of my consistency. That is not my idea OF
duty Whatever party having a living chance of
success in my Judgment promises best ior the coui-
try that party shall support whatever It's name or
whatever NAV be my personal preferences III regard
% its candidates.
In this instance it was not difficult to decide
Personally | had incurred the hostility ol MI
Blame and his especial friends. OF this had no
doubt but the fact did not in any degree relieve me
of my duty as "A citizen. Had the candidates been
men of equal merit capacity and fitness. could not
have hestated The one has behind HIM those eie.
,nents of onr American life which have been repre-
ecnted hv the Republican party. For twenty-three
years Il has ruled the iand III righteousness III has
male many and grave mistakes. Some of these IL
las cured and Others still remain to he remeded IL
- not because it has done well III the past that
deem II worth.eT of support than It's opponents bpt
be ,u,e well-do:ng in the past IS the promise and
On tr,ntc. OF "A like course in the future 80 lar as
tie avowed principles of that party are concerned
lave aiways been III substantial harmony with thein
II B, because believe that party composer III the
mann o( those elements which have controlled lts
Inlcv Tor the past quarter OF century Will mere
after a. heretofore be likely TO act wisely ana
patriotcally III the administration Oh the "o'eI'-
inert that ! do not hesitate to give II my support
In this casc however. there is a much more posi-
five conviction which Tresistlbly Impels me TO op
pose the Democratic party at TINS time. behe'Ins
a.. do that the onestions arising out of the rela-
tons of the races at the South, ana the educatio'
DEVELOPMENT and elevation OF those whom the Ma
ton has eniranchised are infinitely the most I'M
p,rtant matters that will concern our National ad-
u nl.tration during the next Presidential quadren-
MATE could not think OF aiding to put INTO power
a p,rt, the great controlling influence IN which is
the bourbon element OF the south. Others may az
si. m bcrayng the faithful allies OF the Natou III
her hour of peril again into the HANDS oi 'hcr
enemies If they choose. and may palm such course
ip1n the world as patnotsin prefer 10 reint"h "
sr.ct,cle" for The Post to throw mud at. do not
htheyc that a party which achieved power through
o,t the South by organized violence ald murder
and holds II by organized fraud ~ fit to oe intruS'e"
with the control of the Government Oh Inc ohl'eu
S,st.s The Democratic party will receive lo3
Al. ,n,,l VOTES from the south This IL 40 per cent
ola majority. They feel just as sure OF tnen as "
the yoics we're pollcd aud counted, and well thcy
NAV Yct they could not control the Noie o' "'
l.a.i sit of those States as long AZ me fO@ man
vo,,id bc willing 10 hold rcd-hot poker, II they
.,to,,.d free spccch "a fair election. and made an
ho,,st count When the Democratic party becomes
clean enough aud brave enough to recognize the
,uic of the majority of the South. To repeal the
laws that now shelter fraud aud TO admit that
mans rieht 10 govern himself and heip govern MS
,Iau,. dnes not depcId he color OF his SKIN,
49,. tnr one shall be wiling TO consider It's clam