Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-06-14


before accepting position az such del
eeats, that Mr.. Blaine would also be a
candidate before that convention. he
knew when he spoke in opposition to
the adoption of that pledge that MT.
Blaine's name would be presented. and
that a plurality of the delegates elected
Tn and then sitting as members OF the
oonyentiop whom he was addressing
favored the nomination OF the gentle
man from Maine. II it now be true
that he will oppose the election OF Mr..
Blaine, Mr.. Curtis knew that fact also
as we'll then az after the nomination
was made, and while he was speaking
upon the resolution and stigmatizing 1t
"a an insult to the honor of delegates.
he knew that he himself was even then
prepared TO do most dishonorable act,
and that his opposition to the proposed
pledge was not because Of its insult to
his honor, bat for the reason that 1t
would expose his double dealing, and,
IL adopted, either force him from the
convention or compel him 10 abide by
the decision of majority thereof.
Mr.. Curtis participated in all the pro-
ceedinps of the National Convention.
He voted upon all important questions.
He seconded the nomination of a
candidate. and voted for him until the
final choice Of the convention was made.
He was not only n participant but a
conspicuous delegate. occupying con-
siderable time and having much TO say.
All this was proper, and bat in the line
of his duty. II was right that by all
honorable methods be should endeavor
to secure his choice as nominee for the
Presidency, and right that he should
oppose tae adoption of a pledge 20 sup
port the nominee IL he intended 10 act
squarely. But it was not right to do
30, II as now appears, his opposition
was selfish, and unfair, IL it was for the
purpose of giving him and the few who
follow In his wake an opportunity 10
forsake the nominee whom the major
ity of the convention should select, and
essay TO defeat the choice of the party
in whose deliberations he took an active
part and of the convention of which he
was member.
In general the practice Of adopting
pledges, "ironclad tests" 10 support the
nominee of party convention is nei-
Their polite nor necessary. The under
lying principle Of party organizations,
In that upon which our government ID
established, so-wit: the right Of the
majority to govern. A delegate who
goes into convention, does 80 under
the Implied agreement-none the less
binding TO honorable men because not
formally presented and ratided-that
he will acquiesoe In the decision of the
majority and support for election the
nominees of the convention. The obi
cation of this taoit agreement San only
be houorably avoided and repudiated
where the selection of the nominees
has been procured by illegitima,e and
unfair methods. In this, as In al
others, fraud vitiates the contract, and
IL by bribery, trickery or other infiu
ences which prevented free and hon
est choice, an unworthy nominee !.
chosen, the duty andimplied pledge o.
delegate or q member OF the party Il
support such nominee in campaign OF
at the pslls are at once removed. But II
all such GASES ID Is incumbent upon Oh,
bolter to show clearly and specificall,
wherein the nomination was fraudulent
aud why, therefore, the choice of th,
convention 10 not entitled TO the sup
port Of all its delegates and of the par,
~ at large.
This Ia what Mr.. Curtis must do IL be
is hereafter 10 be considered an honor.
able, straightforward man. Nothing
less Is due his fellow delegates. nothins
less is due the party, nothing less Is du.
himself and the paper OF which he i.
the editor. He must show. not that
Mr.. Blaine's candidacy Is objection,
able 10 him, and TO class whom he
represents. Such objections existed
when Mr.. Curtis entered the Conven.
ton as delegate, and he was aware of
them when he declared that to exact .
pledge from delegates 10 support the
nominee would insult the honor Of Ia
members. II does not lie in the mouth
Of Mr.. Curtis TO criticise the choice OF
the Convention. further than 10 show
il possible, that such choice vas ob.
tanned by unfair means; that IL was
procured by bribery, corruption, undue
and Legitimate influences, or othe,
methods not manly. square aud above
board. Procurement of nomination
by such methods would undoubtedly
release every delegate from his implied
obligation 10 support the nominee.
But Mr.. Curtis. IL be opposes the
oh nice Of the Convention IL he turns
the batteries OF Haspsr's Wsskis against
the Republican party and its nominees
will not give these reasons; he vii
claim that Blaine il not dc man 20 b
President, and win join In with the
opposition--the Democratic party and
all the little fellows, Tray Blanche and
Svsstheart. In snappina. snariinR and
mud throwing. He viii assume . LOFTY
attitude Of purity, and essay to sit In
Judgment upon the choice Of Q Con-