National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-08-28
whv He VIII Vo,, for Blaine.

Col. John $. Swami, prominent citizen
of Charleston, W. Va, aud hitherto an
active and aggressive democrat, has come
out for Blaine and Logan. Col. Swami
was distinguished confederate soldier,
and he addresses tho letter in which he
gives tho reasons for his change Of base
to his former comrades in arms and the
young men of tho SOUTH No more effect
i've political document could be circulated
in the south than this manly statement
of Il southern soldier, who, while he still
opposes the republican party upon issues
which have been practically settled, is
constrained to vote for its candidates for
president and vice president because they
represent the liberal, progressive spirit of
the nation. ,
The real vital questions which enter
this campaign, as Col. Swami sees them,
are the building up of the navy, the inn
provement Of our rivers and harbors, the
development of vigorous foreign policy,
and protection to American industry. All
the other questions that enter into the
campaign he regards rs of little moment
misses them to address himself to the
great vital questions which concern the
safety and dignity and power of the
nation and the material well-being of the
people.
AS to the navy, Col. Swami says that in
the event of war with any ono of the
great powers of Europe our seaport cities
could be laid under contribution beforoit
would be possible to prepare for defense,
and our ships of war would have quite
enough to do to keep themselves out of
danger. To save ourselves from the possi-
bility of such humiliation and disgrace
we must have a navy that will put US on
an equality with the other great mari
! time nations. The democratic majority
in the house of representatives has de-
| liberately refused to make the necessary
appropriations for building a navy, and
| therefore it is responsible for the defense
less condition of the country. Col.
| Swami regards the plea put forward by
tho democrats to tho effect that u re-
publican administration might steal a
| good portion Of the money should it bo
appropriated as utterly fallacious and in
is the argument of the miser and the
Pharisee."
Historically tho democratic party is
| opposed to internal improvements. The
republican party, as the successor of the
whig party, has inherited its principles
| T., a s.,N
improvements the republicans are wings
They believe that congress has the con-
stitutional power to appropriate money
for the improvement Of the navigation OF
our rivers great and small, and that this
power ought to bo literally exercised.
Col. Swami has no liberation for the chat
about trout streams" which certain
democratic economists in congress are ac-
Customed to toss at such items in the
river and harbor bill as contemplate the
Improvement of tho rivers of West Nir-
ginia lie will voto for Mr.. Blaine be-
cause he believes that q statesman pos.
sessing such largo and comprehensive
views cannot be influenced by tho small
talk about trout streams"
Tho tariff however, in Col. swann's
opinion, is the issue that most concerns
West Virginia and the south. Ho goe'
over tho whole question and presents the
arguments in favor of protection witt
singular freshness and force. The "rev-
enue reform" aimed at by the democrats
contemplates the admission of raw mate
rials free of duty. IL is precisely thii
kind of reform which will work the
greatest injury to West Virginia and
other southern states which produce coal
and iron and lumber and sugar. Col
Swami believes that the democratic party
is bent on abolishing tho duty on raw
materials, hence he will vote with the
republicans, and he invites all southern
ers who value the truo interests of theil
country to join with him.