Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-09-05

MddiSOn-MY DEAR SIR: Your favor of the ed
Inst, asking expression of my views of ths
political situation, is received So many friends
of varied political bias have addressed me in
person and by letter touching my attitude on the
presidential question, that I am eonstrain d to
make pretty full response TO your kind inqairy,
with permission to publish the same if you deem
it wise to do so.
After much earnest and solicitous deliberatiou
l deem it to be my duty, while abating narght
of loyalty to the republican party, but rather to
promote its true purpose and strengthen it for
future good work. to support the democratic
nominee, Gov. Cleveland, for president at the ap-
preaching election. My Judgment disagrees with
and my conscience rebels against the action OF
the republican convention in the nomination of
Mr. Blaine, and, without arrOg ating fer myself
wisdom superior to a majority of representative
republicans convened to voice the determination
of my party, am compelled to obey my own best
judgment and sense of duty in this single and ex-
traordinary instance. Being a lifelong repubii-
can and the recipient of many distinguished hon
ors, ate and national it is due my political asso-
ciates, so often my cordial supporters, and my
elf, that the reasons for departure from conven-
tional cooperation be frankly stated
No one will deny that the essential worth, if
not the perpetuity of the republic depends upon
the maintenance of political and personal nteg-
rity, well as prudence and justice in its legs-
lative judicial and administrative branches. 1t is
equally true that detection and correction of
crookednesS and infdelity in the executive
branch of our government are most difficult,
while long, uninterrupted control is certain to
republican party has enjoyed nearly twenty four
years of continuous administrative authority, and
while its history is respendent with glorious
achievements and hallowed by memories or un-
rivalled craftsmanship, patriotism aud PROV
ess, there have crept into its huraan machinery
MANY grevieus abuses and ailments, demanding
correction and cure, which may or may not be
accc mplished by the party in which they en-
genuered. Happily, the work of publication
and reform has been progr ssing most satisfac
torily within our party, under the present chief
magistrate; and with such eminent success as to
command the unex4mpled approval of the
press the people and our party expressed through
state conventions, and by the republican national
convection in the extraordinary declaration that
"We believe his eminent services are untitled to
and will receive the hearty approval of every cit
izen" What, then, does the party owe the coun
try and itself? Manifestly the continuance of the
faithful servant Common honesty and a decent
recognition of fidelity and wisdom demand it.
Little short Of hypocrisy wonld deny it. But be-
ing denied. the alternate should be man whose
public life is guaranty that the good work will
go on. He should be the highest and best type of
political integrity, craftsmanship and republican
principles. Mr. Blaine is not such a man, but
in my opinion, embodes most in American pol
itcS that is menacing to public MOI ais and integ-
rity in government. With long public career,
mainly distinguished for sort of declamatory
and pugilistc statecraft, he is not the inspiration
an impor ant statute but, on the contrary, has
often suggested and supported unwise and bad,
and opposed good legislation With a record
clouded by suspicion and accusation of jobbery
ID corruption undefended, he brings to us per-
sona antagoniSmS which have torn and weak
ened our party in the past; invading the admin
istration of the lamented Garfield, with demands
of personal vengeance, so virulent to infiame
the spirit of assassination, and eliminating in
the defeat ef Ju lge Folger, and consequent cleo
ton of Grover Cleveland governor of the Empire
state Mr. Blaine's friends justified their defec-
the plea of fraud In one proxy at the state con-
vention. Such excuse pales to whiteness, when
compared with the dishonorable methods en-
ployed to secure Mr.. Blaine's nomination. Here
many delegates were treated as merchandise to
be bartered for wine money or promise of pa
sition. The convention. instead of being de-
lucrative body, was converted into bowling
pandemonium, overfiowed by the worst elements
of Chicago, admitted without tickets.
But returning to the candidate. The acknowl-
edged leader of his party at home. (the Pine tree
prohibition state of Mainsl he registers igno-
minious defeat for his state. only four years ago
pending the presidential campaign, SO disheart-
ening 10 our party's cause, that only the timely
and stalwart efforts of Grant and Conkling could
have redeemed the field and secured Garf1eld's
election-s work soon rewarded by the gallant
knight, when opportunity (as Garfeld's adviser)
was given him. by dealing cowardly blow from
ambush to bis old antagonist, Roscoe Conkling.
Himself a speculator, enjoying a fortune too
great to have been acquired by honest indu stry
l+gitimats business enterprise, or mis- country's
service at 5000 year, he sympathizes with and
profits by speculative, stock -jobbing, and gam
bling methods of acquiring wealth; methods
which have wrought ruin, disgrace and business
disasters beyond computation, schooled youth
and persuaded middle age to avoid honest and
useful industry, made suicide and insanity COM
monplace unsettled values, placed the fruits of
honest toll in the power Of the Gouids and Ar
Iuours to bear down or bull up in the markets as
whim or interest may dictate; methods which re-
Gently gave us but exaggerated illustration of
their iniquitous consequences in the GraAt &
Ward Si5.000, ,0o0 failure and robbery Referenc
TO Blaines congress ional record relating to subs
dies. class legislation corporate exactions etc,
will readily satisfy the honest inquirer of his uni
form support of monopolies and Indifference to
the common veal Little wender that he omits
in his letter to refer to explain the cause of the
great disparity in the distribution of this marvel
Gus increase of wealth accumulated during the
period he chooses for comparison. that be fails &c
note the fact that one hree-hundredth part OF
the S44.Ooo Coo 600 is held by man, while 9th
ers rank little below; and his own palstial resi-
deLce, commanding rental of sll,0o year.
suggesting more than an average per capita ot
wealth. Little wonder that he IS silent on the
subject of interstate commerce, the regulation
of which is demanded by all prod1cSrs and legiti
mate traders Great corporate interests com
mand non interference
1t was a lame defense of his devotion to i'm
proved civil service to ctc the fact that during
prolonged public service he only advised the re
movaI OF -FOUR persous-" The expert observer
will conclude that the true betternaent OF the ser
vice demanded the removal Of ten times four. Ht
should have emphasized his position by noting
1 the fidelity with which horde OF relatives have
been constantly fed at the public CRIB. notably tn,
| farorite Brother Bob 8 drawing pay for an
| others service. Ner viii the citation OF his pa
/ cific assurances TO Mexico quite cover up MI
South American policy and his interference Il
/ protect the Landrau guano scheme The death
| Of his servant. HurIbJr1. whom he feizned to r.
buke, may serve TO partially conceal the true IN
wardness Of this affair, did his garbled render
| ing OF the MuIligan letters first mislead man,
charitable people touching The Litsie Rock bont
| j1b-
The disineeuuousness Of the letter Of accep
ance Is further betrayed by is significant sienc'
touching the events Of the past three years
Bringing down his historic figures 70 The presen
would nave revealed the fiction involved In hi