Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-07-31
CAN'T VOTE FOR BLAINE.
Letter From an Old Repub-
lican.
The Only Survivor of Abraham Lin
coins Cabinet-TO Vote for Blaine
Would be TO Vote Against the
Peace and Honor OF the
Country,

New York, July 25.-James Speed,
of Kentuckey, who was Lincoln's At
torney General, is the only surviving
member of that Cabinet. He was a
Republican at time and in section
when it cost much to be Republican.
He is one ofthe most esteemed men in
this city and state, ranks at the head of
the Kentucky Bar and although not in
active politics for some years, his infiu-
ence is great with his party in the
Southwest.
Prior to the meeting of the National
Democratic Convention the following
letter from Mr.. Speed was received by
friend of his in this city and has been
obtained for publication. The letter
leaves no doubt that Mr. Speed will
vote and use his influence for Governor
Cleveland:
LOUISVILLE, KY, June 10, 1884.
MY DEAR SIR:-I received your es-
teemed letter by due course of mail. The
action of the Chicago convention has
greatly distressed me. am not at all
puzzled as to voting but grieved to be
under the necessity of failing to vote for
the nominee of the Republican party.
No party in any country in the world
has ever done so much for the good of
mankind as the Republican party in this
country. Ihave fOndly hoped the good
it has done in the past was an earnest of
its future.
1t is shocking to think such a party
could put forth such a platform. No
more of that.
But / cannot vote for Blaine, and
could not vote for him on any platform.
The foreign relations of this country are
pretty much in the hands of the Presi-
dent. During the short time Mr.. Blaine
acted as Secretary of State he exhibited
such a view of international law as
makes me believe that should he be
elected President, if he would not
plunge us into needless foreign difficult
ties he would bring our diplomacy into
disrepute and make us the laughing
stock of the civilized world.
No personal magnetism or brilliant
sentences can compensate blunder.
To vote for him would be like voting
against the peace and honor of my
country. cannot do that even at the
bidding of the Republican party.
Then his letter about the surplus rev.
euue is INDUSTRIOUS. LII SHOWS nlH1 10 De
as unsafe in his views of the framework
of our government as he is in regard to
international law. 1t is charitable to
say the letter is the child of ignorance,
for if not it is the child of demagogery.
Now, what can do? May I fold my
arms and let the world wag? Must /
vote the Democratic ticket? Must join
third party?
AS for third party it is too late to Or
ganize one for putting out an independ-
ent ticket. The purpose of third par
ty organized now would be to defeat
Blaine. 1t would of necessity perish
whether Blaine is elected or defeated,
and it's members be like loose cogs in q
machine, able to do no good, but capa-
BILE of doing great evil.
Should the Democrats give the coun-
try statesman and a gentleman as
their candidate L think we had better
vote for him. I voted with the Demo-
Gratis to kill off the folly and wickedness
of the Know Nothings, and have never
regretted it.
So you see, my dear sir, I cannot say
what I may do, but am positive as to
what I will not do. 1 am most truly
your friend, JAMES SPEED.