The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-06-28
The Meaning of the Revolt.

From Harper's Weekly, June rs.
The meeting of the Massachusetts Republi-
cans and Independent voters who are unable
to support Mr.. Blaine was followed by sim
liar meeting in New York. which represented
the same feeling and adopted substantially
the same action. At both meetings resolu-
tions were unanimously passed declaring the
Chicago nominations to have been made in
defiance of the reform sentiment of the coun-
try, and to represent political methods and
principals which ought not to be approved.
The resolutions also express the hope that the
Democratic party will offer proper candidates
to the country, and provide for committees to
cooperate with each other, and to take such
steps as may be necessary for carrying the
purpose of the meetings into effect. The
character and tone of both meetings were very
significant. They were composed of citizens
who have no grievances to avenge and no per.
sonal objects TO seek, who are neither sore
heads nor aspirants, but men who believe
that political honesty is the best political pol
icy, and that when the chief reason for sup
porting an improper party nomination is that
the party is not quite SO bad as the other party,
the time has come to call halt
1t was interesting and significant at both
meetings to observe that there was no foolish
defamation or hasty action. The willingness
expressed to support certain Democratic nom
nations was not y willingness to be merged
in the Democratic party, nor q desire prema-
turely to move for the organization of new
party. There was no proposition to erect a
platform, and there was frank acknowledge
ment that the opponents of the Blaine Homi-
nation, outside of the Democratic party, diff
fer upon many questions of public policy.
The point upon which they all agree is that it
is gross public wrong to support for the
Presidency any candidate whose public record
is pot stainless, or to uphold political methods
WHICH are debasing. As Mr.. Moorlield Storey
expressed it, tersely and clearly, 1--WE are
united to rebuke corrupt men and corrupt
methods in politics"
For such movement as the present Re-
publican revolt this is platform broad enough
and strong enough. The movement of 1872,
which was led by the New York Tribune
against the Republican party and the repomi-
nation of General Grant, was justified by its
leaders upon the ground of Republican repre.
aney to principle and the PUBLIC welfare.
But it was not alleged that the Republican
candidate was himself implicated in Question
able practices, however near to the executive
chamber the trail suspicion and of aGGnsa-
ton may have reached. But now that the
party has deliberately selected as its leader
the one man among all possible candidates on
whom the cloud of doubt rests, patriotic citi-
zeRs may well feel that the party of moral
ideas and Of the national conscience is trifing
with its own fame and sutFsDsering its strong
est hold. A party must be judged by its acts
and by its chosen representatives. How can
it demand to be trusted as the guardian of the
patiasal honor and character when the char
aeter Of its chosen leader 4oes not defend it
self?