Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-02
The Last Gard OF the Blaine Mana


The Blaine managers are playing their
last and, perhaps, in their estimation,
their best card today. The selection Of
the Sabbath for their nastiest werk. and
ministers Of the gospel as their iRstru-
ments to accomplish this work, is in keep
Ing with their management from tRe be-
ginning of the campaign.
The statement which appeared in our
dispatches yesterday that circular cal
culated to blackel the character o. the
Democratic candidate for President had
been sent to a very large number Of min
5sters throughout the North and West.
with a request that the people should be
warned from the pulpit to-day against
1Oting for Cleveland on account Of his
alleged immortality, would hardlyibe en-
litled to belief if it were not known that
circulars Of the same sort have been
scattered broadcast over the country, and
if such method of conducting a political
campaign were not in keeping with the
characters Of the men who are conduct
ing Blaine's canvass.
Politics and religion do not mix very
well, and it is to be regretted that minis
tiers Of the gospel have seen lit, not as
citizens, but as ministers, to step into the
political arena and attempt to influence
the decision Of the people. How likely
they are, when speaking as religious
teachers outside OF their legitimate
sphere, to stir up strife, is shown by the
bitter comments which followed the in
temperate language of those of them who
called on Blaine at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel last week.
Doubtless there are Democrats in the
congregations of every one Of tho minis
tiers who were conspicuous in honoring
Blaine, and the terms in which their party
was spoken Of will weaken probably, the
confidence andsympathy which have here
tOtore existed between them and their re-
liglous teachers. In bringing religion in
to politics, particularly in a heated cam
paign, the cause of religion is much
more likely to be damaged than politics
is to be elevated.
If from thousand pulpits to-day an
attack is made on Cleveland the injury
that Will be done him will be infnitesimal,
| because men Of intelligence and character
have decided for whom they will vote;
but who can calculate the harm that VIII
be done the cause Of religion? Feelings Of
bitterness will be aroused that a year.
perhaps, viii not be sufficient to allay.
The Blaine managers, however. evl-
IDENTIFY do not care whether their pro-
gramme for carrying the election works
ruin to congregations and churches or
not. They aim at success, and to secure
that they are ready to employ any means.
however disreputable or reprehensible
they may be. Only managers like EIkins
and Clayton would have attempted to use
religious organizations to further their
schemes.
1t is to be regretted that the campaign
was not fought on a higher plane. So
much personality and abuse do not
argue well for the future of
the country. 1t was impossible, how
ever, to avoid making the personal fitness
of the Republican candidate an issue.
His own party organs, in 1876 and in 1880.
when he sought the position he now has,
impressed upon the country the fact that
he was political jobber and not fit to be
President.
They commented on the same evidence
OF his dishonesty while holding a high
official position that has been used in the
present campaign. Cleveland's fitness
has not been an issue, but his political
enemies, to break the force OF the charges
against Blaine, have slandered him as no
other Presidential candidate has ever
been slandered; and the worst of it is the
aid Of the pulpit has been invoked to
spread these ISLANDERS.