The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-03
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Blaine and Logan.

The nomination of Blaine and Logan
8 clearly the result of shameless polit-
ical bargain and represents the triumph
of the mercenaries and worst elements
of the Republican party. The vote of
Logan decided Blaine's nomination.
| The vote of Blaine nominated Logan in
return.
In presenting this extraordinary COM
bination of corruption and demagogism
the Republican Convention acted with
unusual audacity and honesty. Audac-
ity, because if there is anything the Re-
public sadly needs, and the public con-
science demands, it is reform in high
places and the publication of the Gov
ernment. Honesty, because Republican
candidates have generally worn masks
of hypocrisy. and in nominating Mr..
Blaine the mercenaries have for the first
time thrown away all masks, flagrantly
defied all claims to principles or reform
and put up an out-and-out ticket for
spoils only.
In thus presenting the distinct issue
of perpetuating Republican machine
rule and corruption for the sole benefit
of the hungry spoilsmen who have been
kept out by Arthur, the Convention is
entitled to some credit. 1t might have
nominated some obscure nonenity like
Hayes, and Continued the false pretense
of patriotism, piety and reform masquer-
ade. As it is, no one outside of a lunatic
asylum will claim Blaine or Logan to
be civil-service reformers, or anything
else except grand marshals of the ma
chine.
1t is now clearissue: Corruption VS..
Reform! 9 81 s.. % - ---
The demand for change at Wash
ington is answered by the Republican
Convention thus: Yes, q change for the
a00rSe. .-.ELt
That Mr.. Blaine is an able man, of
great talents and daring, and still
greater popularity with his party, and
that he is beyond doubt a true repre-
sentative of modern Repubicanism, if
not its idol, make the issue thus pre-
sented all the more pregnant. For be-
fore the canvass is fully opened it will
be clear to the plainest understanding
that James G. Blaine represents not
only the machine of the Republican
party but the demoralizing and corrupt
ing power of Wall street, the money
interests, the monopolies. corporations,
and all protected, privileged, special
classes. All that is reprehensible
and base in our demoralized political
system will naturally rally to his sup
port.
Will he be defeated?
| That is clearly in the hand of Demo-
Gratis.
If the Democratic candidate for the
Presidency should be precisely what
MIR. Blaine is not--a man of the high
est judicial mind, the most elevated
character and purposes-he would
doubtless attract the support of many
Independent Republic
ans, carry New York and other doubt
full States and be elected.
What the country wants is Reform.
To this yearning the Republicans re-
spond by putting forward a man who
stands arraigned by his own party as
the embodiment of corruption in legis-
lation, demagogueism in politics and
in affairs. But Democrats |
must not over estimate the revulsion in
the ranks of the Republican party at
this time. Five months will elapse be-
fore the election, and in that time much |
will be done to smooth the existing as
perities. 1t must be borne in mind |
that the Republican party twice elected |
Grant, counted in Hayes by fraud, and |
elected Garfield. And, however bad |
Blaine's reputation actually is, his char
acter is really better than that of either
Grant, HAYES or Garfield.
Democratic prudence and unity will |
ead TO Mr.. Blaine's defeat. -Brooklyn |
EdQLe.