The Democratic advocate., 1884-08-09
A Test of The People.
From Me. Mem York Times.

from e"e=4 4'e" 1oiS '"'es.
1t is not SO much the character OF Mr.
Blame that Is on triai IN TINS fresidentiai can
vasS as tne character OF the people OF this
| country. Mr.. blame character is estdoteShed'
ne success wmen ne mas mus lar won IN NE
mas Deeh atlalheu Dy metno9s tnat are perm
clous 10 tne WerIare OF lano governed py lts
people. lie began MS pupie career by max
ing money OUT of tae caiaity vi tne hc'lon' lse
ddn me Deglnning oI ms weaitn was zee ol %,
wv ior coiiectils Giaiha rom 'ee var De-
partment py pohtical lnnuehce Ior MAINE
rallroa9 "nicn hae transporter L troops ON us
nmaS Imm 5Iv, hn of F sio oo9 for Tas sor ,or
io"eu ny d lee ., @io,VoV ior Siniliar ser
wee 10 raliroad running irom fortiand 10
posIoI. Nr. pialue was .nen opeaher VI she
lower olancn Vi tne aailie VIZ anu q
ILsiis pont.cia1, VIII as !"
Sniousn HIs ehneyi1ania va ooiineo,ioh WIN
Decretlry Caheroh' ne ioiio"eu 1niS up ny
using MS uytaenee 10 oDtaih prontaoie con-
tracts with the war and Navy departments,
ana when the war ended ne was rlch. before
tnis tiine ne was IN congress, ana had ihcreas-
eu MS sources OF revenue py speeuiatihg
through friends IN Boston IN ARTICLES the value
OF which was affected by national legislation
relating to the revenues OF the Government
One OF these articles out OF which he made
much money was alcoholic liquor.
In his career in Congress Mr.. Blaine won u
reputation for spirit and smartness. He was
sharp in the use of parliamentary expedients,
quick in debate, and fond of theatrical exhi-
bitions in controversy. But he never exhibit
ed thorough information, careful study, the
mastery of principles, or earnest conviction
in any matter relating to the national welfare.
He never figured in the preparation or advo-
cacy of any of the great measures by which
his party made the record of which it is proud.
But he was watchful of chances to enrich him
self. He exerted himself to get into enter
prises to be benefited by Congressional action,
and used has influence to promote them. In
politics he became a s'boss'' who used the
patronage of the Government in his State to
promote party ends and secure his own power.
He obtained almost absolute control of ap-
pointments in Maine and used them to enlist
and reward supporters and to crush rivals
As Secretary OF State he substituted sensa-
tional display for craftsmanship. He showed
no mastery of historical facts or the princi-
pies of international law and no capacity for
dealing with great questions of State, but he
used his trust TO promote private claims and
tried to bully weak Governments by threats.
He did not succeed, because the power of the
Government as represented in him was treated
with contempt by the Ministers of such coun-
tries as Mexico and Chill and with yelled sar-
casm bv the British Foreion Secretary. He
invariably managed to put the Government in
the wrong by his shallowness and arrogance.
Mr.. Blaine's character as a public man is
is established beyond the possibility of contro-
versy. The people knou achat he Is, and yet
A great marty. pridinq itself on its history and
its fidelity to PRINCIPLES of public morality,
has made him it's candidate for President.
Star route thieves and public land thieves
,chon, he has befriended and helped are work
ing for him. Railroad iobbers who wish to
secure immunity for what they have done and
to continue their schemes of profit at the ex-
pense of the Government are for him. 1t is
perfectly well understood what the character