The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-08-13
ANOTHER,
Hon. William Blnks, of Michigan City,
Decides for Cleveland.

Hon. William Blinks, of Michigan City,
Decides for Cleveland.
In letter to the Michigan City Dispatch
Hon. William Blinks, a wellknown Repub.
hcan, tells why he opposes the election of
Mr.. Blaine and supports Cleveland. After
reviewing Mr.. Blaine's record in the House
and as Speaker and referring to the Mulligan
letters, Mr.. Blinks says:
Blaines career as q Senator did not add
greatly to his reputation. The dignity of
the Senate was rather depressing to bis SEN
satiOnal methods; it WAS not the arena for
the display of his powers to the best advan-
tage, But during his short term as Secretary
of State he demonstrated more clearly
than in his Congressional life his
positive unftness for the high
TO elect him, and fairly eclipsed all his
former efforts to distinguish himself, aud
there can be no doubt that his retirement
from Office saved the country from serious
embodiment with other nations, If not from
a foreign war. His interference between
Chilli and Peru was uncalled for, and not
creditable TO the United States, which Gov
eminent as a friendly power to both the con-
tending parties, had no right to in trude any
opinion on the settlement of the difficulties
between the two powers. But here again il
is alleged that there was private job con-
nected with the question, in which large
profits were concerned, and the power aud
IA
were to be used to further private interests
which were held in the background. And
richt here / can not but recall some incl
dents in the career OF asother public man of
prominence some years since; q man who
formerly occupied almost as important
position in the Republican party as does Mr..
Blaine. The person referred to was man of
CDdoubted ability, OF genial disposition, OF
an unlmpeachable moral character, aud the
idol of his constituency in his Congressional
district. Repeatedly elected to Congress, his
ability was recognized by his party in choOs-
ing him Speaker of the House for three
terms successfully, after which he was called
by the voice of the Nation to still higher
duties. But this mans fair name became
unfortunately connected with an enterprise
which The moral sense of the people declared
improper for any member Of the National
Legislature tohave any part in. and although
the charge was never proven, and notwith-
standing the solemn reservations oil limo
cence on the part of the accused, the high
moral principles OF the members OF the Re-
publican party received such a shock
from even the suspicion OF evil
that the suspected wrong doer
was relocated to private life,
where he has since remained Have the
morals of the Republican party undergone
such change in few years that what was
formerly an objectionable ohense and dis
qualification for official position is to-day to
be overlooked and condoned aud considered
q recommendation for the highest place in
the Nation? And now let me briefly refer
TO Blaine's letter Of acceptance of the nOmi-
nation. The principal points contained
therein are the illusions to the great increase
of the wealth OF the country since the year
1850, which, it is claimed, is attributable to
the wise government OF the Republican
party and the beneficent influence of high
protective tariff. 1t will probably be a new
idea TO the student OF political economy that
a country may be made rich and prosperous
by excessive taxation, and there may be
those who will prefer to believe that for any
people to continue TO increase in wealth
under such system is rather indicative of
the great natural resources of the country,
and the ability of rs inhabitants to develop
those resources in a profitable manner. The
letter OF acceptance contains nothing to con-
vince me of the desirability OF continuing
the Republican party in power.
Mr.. BlinKs then reviews Governor Cleve-
lands career, contrasting il with that of Mr.
Blaine, and concludes by saying: 81 can
not allow the furnished reputation OF Mr..
Blaine to be CLOSED over and frightened by
the halo of glory which it is claimed sur
rounds the Republican party, neither can
admit that the untarnished character of
Cleveland can be sullied by the support of
some persons who may not come up to the
high moral requirements Of the Republican
party. The question OF the times Is: Shall
this Government be turned over 10 one who
would regard the public offices as q means of
rewarding his friends and pUnishing his
enemies, or te one who would administer
the Government as q sacred trust Tor the
benefit of the whole peopleY'