The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-07-26
TWO TPOLITICAL
PAPERS,

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ton of our usual editorial space to the
publication of Gen. Logans letter Of
acceptance, and on the first page will
be found the full text of Mr. Blaine's.
Although these letters are lengthy, any
intelligent man will be amply repaid
for the time spent in their careful read
ing. If the Republican Nominating
Convention which recently assembled
at Chicago had not promulgated
platform, the Republican party could
readily and safely 90 before the coun-
try on Mr.. Blaine's letter. As po-
litical paper it is at once clear and for
chile, presenting the principles and
aims CT the Republican party in SIM
pie but vigorous language. Without
being fulsome or extravagant in lauda-
ton of it, we doubt whether it has
been excelled since the days of Alex
ander Hamilton.
Mr.. Blaine very properly makes the
tariff question an important feature of
his letter. Among recent and labored
discussions of that question there has
been no presentation either of arsu
ment or fact which will strike so forci-
bly, the public mind. No amount of
ingenious reasoning or theCrizing can
put out Of sight the great controlling
fact on which he rests his faith in the
expediency of the protective policy.
Under twenty years of protection the
value Of the property owned in the
United States increased thirty thousand
millions of dollars.
In 1860 the accumulated wealth of
the country aggregated fourteen thous-
and millions. This was the result Of
the industry of two hundred and fifty
years. At the end of the next twenty
years the sum total had increased to
forty-four thousand millions, exclusive
of the unCounted millions that were
lost and wasted by the war. 1t must
also be remembered that during four
years of this period nearly two millions
of able bodied men were withdrawn
from protective industry. This era of
producing and storing wealth began
with the advent of the Republican
party to power and the inauguration of
the protective system rendered neCes-
sary to meet the expenses of the war.
OF this mighty sum the fortunes of the
rich constitute but an insignificant por-
ton. 1t is made up ip large part of
the earnings and savings Of the thrifty,
industrious plain people of the country,
the farmers, manufacturers, mechanics,
and laborers. The mere statement of
such fact as this silences ali argu-
ment.
The civil service reformers who have
been alarmed by the ridiculous clamor
about Mr.. Blaine's ''machine methods"
will take heart when they learn that he
anticipated them in carrying into prac-
teal effect the principles to which they
are specially devoted. During his
whole public life he never asked forthe
removal of but four persons, and in no
case did he ever ask for a removal for
political reasons. As long as he had
the right to nominate cadet to West
Point the selection was made after
competitive eXamira alton.
Most of the federal officers in Mr..
Blaine's district appointed by Mr.. Lin
coin remained undisturbed in their ten
ure until removed by DEATH If the
whole body Of civil-service reformers
were summoned together to prepare an
address defending the system of APP
pointment to which they are committed
they could not state their case half SO
well as Mr.. Blaine has done it for them.
The intelligent people of the country
will be better satisfied with the civil
service reform system after reading Mr..
Blaine's letter than they ever were be-
tore.
Gen. Logan's letter shows him to be
thoughtful, patriotic and conservative
statesman. In his comments on the
tariff question he uses arguments which
the farmer, the mechanic and the Ia
borer can understand. He shows that
reduction of the tariff means re-
duction of wages despite the fallacious
arguments of the Democratic free trad
erS.
After perusal of these letters every
candid man will admit that two ADLER
political papers have rarely been given
to TIE people.