Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-09-10


know said Mr. Seward, thirty wears
ago, when he left the Wing party to ioin
the Republicans do not know that IL
viii always, or even long, preserve its
courage, its moderation, and its consis-
fancy. If 1t shall do ySS, it will secure
and save the country If it shall become
unfaithful as all preceding parties have
done, IL will. without sorrow or regret on
my part, perish as they are perishng, and
1t Will give place To another, truer
and better one. This warning must not
be forgotten. IL is with profound convic-
ton of its wisdom tina: Republicans faith
tul to their party, but holding with the
great Republican fathers that political
morality and purity Of administration are
more precious than party. are now con-
strained TO oppose the Republican Presi-
dental nomination in the interest of what
they believe to be pure Republicanism, of
the public welfare, and of the honor of
the American name.
The Republican nomination has for the
time superseded all other issues by raising
the question of official honesty. The
question cannot be avoided except upon
the plea that the official character of the
candidates need not be considered, and
that in order to secure party President,
the 2 members OF party ought 10
vote for any candidate whatever who has
been regularly nominated. This Ia plea
beyond which party madness cannot go.
Acquiescence in IL would require the sur
render of the self-respeci of every voter.
There could be no candidate so unfit that
this plea would not demand his support,
and Republican success justified by an
argument which defies the public cOnsci-
euce would he the overthrow of the vital
principle of the party, and show that the
spirit and character which created its
great traditions are rapidly perishing.
Upon the practical questions of tariff
and finance. and other questions upon
which both parties are divided within
themselves, who also are divided in opin-
ion. We shall vote, therefore, in the
choice of Representatives in Congress and
other officers, according to our individual
opinions of their political views and their
personal character. Divided on other
questions, we are united in the conviction
that the fountain of Office and honor
should he pure, and that the highest office
in the country should he filled by man
of absolutely unsupported integrity.
AS there is no distinctive issue upon
public policy presented for the consdera-
ton Of the country, the character Of the
candidates becomes of the highest impor-
lance with all citizens who do not hold
that party victory should be secured at
any cost. While the Republican nomina-
ton presents candidate whom we cannot
support, the Democratic party presents
one whose name is the synonym Of politi-
cal courage and honesty and administra-
tive reform. He has discharged every
official trust with sole regard TO the pub
lie welfare, and with just disregard of
aIv
which, with the applause and confidence
of both parties, has raised HIM from the
chief executive administration of a great
city 10 that Of a great State.
His unreseryed. intelligent, and sincere
support of reform in the civil service has
firmly established that reform in the State
and the cities of New York. and his per
sonal convictions, proved by his official
acts, moro decisive than any possible plat
form declarations, are the guarantee that
in Its spirit and in its letter the reform
would be enforced in the national admin
istration. His high sense OF public duty,
his absolute and uncballenged official in
tegrty, his indexible courage in resisting
party pressure and public cutlery, his
great experience in the details of admin
| istration and his commanding executive
ability and independence, are precisely
the uuHIlllts WulCu tlt l'Olllltdi
demands in the chief executive officer of
the government, to resist corporate mon
opoly on the enc hand and demagogc
communism on the other. and at home
and abroad, without menace OF fear, to
protect every right of American citizebs,
and to respect every right OF friendly
states. by making political morality and
private honesty the basis OF constitutional
administration.
He is a democrat who is happily free
from all associations with the fierce party
differences of slavery contest, and whose
financial views are in harmony with those
of the best men IN both raIties. and com
ING into public prominence ut a time when
official purity. courage. and character are
Of chief importance, he presents the quail
tiles and the promise which independent
voters desire. AMI which a great body OF
Republicans, believing those qualities to
be absolutely indispensable 10 the admin
istration of the government at this time,
do not find IN the candidate OF their own
party.
Such independent voters do not pro
pose to ally themselves Inextrid 'ly with
any party. Such Republicans do not pro.
pose 10 abandon the Republican party,
nor to merge themselves in any other
party, hut they do propose tn aid in de-
feating Republican nomination which.
not for reasons Of expediency only, but
for high moral and patriotic considera-
lions, with due regard for the Rcpub-
lican name and for the American char
ecter, was unfit to be made, They de-
sire not to evade the proper RESPONSE
bility of American citizens by declining
to vote, and they desire also to make
, their votes as effective as possible for
honest and pure and wise administra.
ton. How can such voters, who at
, this election can not conscientiously
support the Republican candidate, pro-
mote the objects which they desire to
accomplish more surely than by sup
porting the candidate who represents the
, qualities. the spirit, and the purpose
which they all agree in believing TO be OF
controlling Importance in this election