The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-08
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A Vivid Portrait.

can not upon my conscience sup
| port James G. Blaine. [Applause.I J.
have lived to see the republican party
defy the moral sense of the country. 4
| have lived to see orators and journal
lists of that party sneer at the sentl-
ment of conscience from which that
party drew the breath of life. AS a
test of fealty to that party they require
me to support man who has prostl-
tuted the office of speaker Of the house
of representatives to aid him as stock
broker and jObber, in playing upon the
hopes and fear of the spectators and
Adventures who were his chosen COM
panions; who, as a senator, chiefly dis
tinguished himself as shameless dem
agogue in selecting memorial service
to William King as an occasion for
venting his spite upon Massachusetts,
by defaming her history, and as secre-
taTy of state rendered his short career
memorable only as a breaker and dis
turber of the peace among nations.
Let others, if they will, bend the knee
| to the man who bent the knee to James
Mulligan. l scorn the homage. This
presidential election is both test and
a training of the character of the
American people. Says Wendell Phil
lips: "The character of the state Is well
shown by the character of those she
saving of the Greek orator centuries
ago: 1T is not your palestras or your
schools that instruct the youth, but
much more your bestowal Of public
hOnors."
The character of the people will be
such as the character of those you
crown. Mr. Blaine is held forth to the
Young men of the land as an ideal re-
publican candidate" The phrases of
chiyalry are invoked to do him honor.
Men of Massachusetts,, read the Multi
gan letters, and see your plumed knight
full drawn by himself in those letters
which were not burned. If you would
have a picturesque background and
some interesting postures Of your
knight, read Mr.. Mulligan'S testimony
which Senator Hoar majestically
waves aside. But in my experience OF
trials | never knew the testimony OF a
disinterested and unimpeached witness
set aside merely because his testimony
was not agreeable to the accused. But
if you take Mr.. Blaine's letters alone,
what do you think of your hero? Mr..
Blaine's advice is to read them. The
Boston Journal goes beyond the assur-
ance of its candidate and says: at Will
help rather than injuTe him." When
you read these letters, remember that
they were written by man holding Q
position of which, few nights ago,
George S. Boutwell, spoke as follows:
"The speaker, until his committees are
appointed, is the most potential being
in the United States. lie shapes all
your policies-everythi of yours, in
fact" At the close of this correspond.
ence, this knight writes out a certificate
of character for Mr.. Fisher to sign:
"Your conduct was in the highest
degree honorable and straightforward :
If / were to adopt it and repeat 1t
should l not be thought satirical? Mr..
Blaine, in word, has precisely those
vices of mind and character that pre-
vent the most brilliant demagogism
from ever rising to the plane OF wise
craftsmanship.
One more picture of the plumed
knight at Augusta. See his courage
in voting on the prohibition amend
ment. 1t was late in the afternoon.
and the ladies had all gone, and he
walked in and voted for everything
else except the question which most
concerned the people of Maine. Now,
talk about not having the courage Of
his convictions-he has no convictions.
Speech of the Hon. Robert q. Pitm0R al
fremont Temple.