The Indianapolis journal., 1884-07-10
1Ns1NcERE INDEPENDENTS.

Z
it was mutually agreed, without formal mo-
ton, to await the action of the Chicago con-
vention before calling meeting to indorse its
nominee or get up third party ticket" While
not put in the form Of resolution, this may
be taken as the sentiment of the men who
met on that occasion. If there has been one
thing above another that these independent
bolting Republicans have affirmed and
reafirmed ever since the nomination Of
Blaine and Logan, it was that they were
so firmly welded to Republican principles
that they could not conscientiously support
man like Blaine whose private character,
they asserted, was SO hostile to Republican
ism. Up to within one month ago these same
men, now recreant to Republicanism, pro-
fessed the heartiest detestation of Democracy
and all its ways; declared, in and out of sea-
son. that Democratic success would be ma
tional calamity, and we're so enlisted in oppo-
sition to Democratic principles that they per
sonally and prominently took part in
the deliberations of the nominating conven-
tion of the only party that can pos
sibly meet and overcome the dangerous doc
trines of the country's hereditary enemy. So
far as the Republican party's principles are
concerned, they have undergone no change;
the present platform was adopted unanimous
ly, these same men personally attesting their
consent by voting for it. Their cry that the
party has abandoned the old paths is, then,
simply an incontrovertible evidence of Punic
faith on their part-an ex post facto plea that
would never have been entered had their can
didate been chosen in that convention.
From the beginning of this mutiny the
Independent Republican boilers have been
insincere and consequently inconsistent.
George William Curtis, the head and front of
this implacable cabal, was member of the
last Republican convention, freely partici-
pating in all its deliberations, and was doubt
less hopeful that by some means the man of
his choice would be named in which event
man OF men treacherous enough to bolt the
nomination AS has already been shown Mr..
Curtis voted for the platform of princi-
ples-it suited him, and he was
willing that the nomination should be
made and the campaign fought on
it. In the next step Of the conventions
proceedings he was disappointed; an over
whelming majority of the delegates as chosen
by the Republicans of the country, were in
favor of james G. Blaine and he was nom
mated with an enthusiasm seldom witnessed,
even on such popular occasions. The plat
form evidently suited Mr. Curtis, and the
nomination of Blaine was not obiec-
tionable enough to ALLEVIATE him,
who by remaining and participating in
the further deliberations Of the con-
vention, gave tacit consent to swallow his
disappointment for the good of the party and
the principles it represents; and it was only
after he had time to hear from the firm in
Franklin Square that be gave any Indication
of Wavering.
The melancholy piping, as of lost quails,
then began A few congenial spirits were as
sembled, and they commenced the work Of
knitting their party and its principles A
plaintive cry is going up to the Democratic
convention to come to their deliyerance, to
put up some fgood' man for whom
these very good independent Re
publicans may vote If ever hypocrisy
were self-convicted, it has been in this in
stance. These men helped build the Repub-
ican platform as it stands to-day; they partici-
pated in all the deliberations of the conven-
ton, and it was good enough, if it only named
their man. Had Senator Edmunds been nom-
mated they would have crucifed any Repub-
icanb who dared complain that Republican
principles had been abandoned Now, how
ever, bent on assassinating the party, they
turn to the very men and party who for
the past half century have done the country
more damage than the Republican party under
the changed conditions, could possibly do in
thousand years. Without waiting to see
what the Democratic platform is to be, and
with the fullest knowledge Of that party's past
history Of infamy, duplicity and treason,
these 'inen Of principle are ready to swallow
anything, everything, il thereby they may be
revenged on account Of their defeat. In all
the history Of American politics there never
was a meaner, more fragrant, more treacherous
act than the one in which these great re-
formers are now engaged They de-
serve most emphatic rebuke
at the hands Of the people.
They should be TAUGHT that there is honor IN