The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1884-07-30
IsDlEPExyE!srs.

spectacle, and have endorsed the nomi-
nation of 1 leveland and Hendricks. It
will not do to say that this gathering Of
distinguished republicans will exert no
influence on the presidential campaign,
and with them and Tammany there can
remain but little doubt that New York
will cost it's electoral vote for Cleveland
and Hendricks. Geo. William Curtis,
Carl Schurz, Col. Higginson, Theodore
Lyman, of Mass, and Thomas Bacon, Of
Connecticut, were among those who
were CONSPICUOUS. The platform says
The paramount issue is moral rather
than political. 1t concerns the national
honor and character and honesty Of the
administration, rather than the general
policies Of the government upon which
the platform of the two parties do not
essentially differ.
Parties, indeed, now come here mainly
by habit and tradition, and since the
great issues which have divided them
have been largely settled, the most vital
political activity has been an endeavor Of
good citizens in both parties to adjust
them to living issues and to make them
effective agencies of political progress
and reform. The indispensable neces-
sity of this course has long been appar-
ent, for in time of profound peace at
home and abroad, the most threatening
national peril is the insidious political
corruption, the mercensry and democrat
izing spirit, the tendency of which is
well described by Senator Hoar, of Mass
achussetts, as "the shameless doctrine;
that the true way by which power
should be gained in a republic is to hribe
the people with offices that have been
created for their SERVICE" but this doc
trine' naturally has produced results
which are still more alarming. The spirit
and tendency have SO rapidly developed
that they seek political power, not only
to crafty ambition and revenge, but to
promote gain.
The platform then says: We are very
proud of the great record and services of
the Republican party, but not with our
onsent shall the record be disgraced.
Every party must be Immediately re-
newed by the intelligent independence
Of its own members or it will sink from
an agency to secure good government in
to a remorseless depotism. 1t is with
profound regret that the convention in
it's wisdom thinks that as republicans
faithful to their party, but holding with
great regard the doctrines of the republi-
can fathers that political morality and
purity of administration are more preci-
ous than party, they are now constrained
to oppose the republican presidential
in the interest of what they
believe to be pure republicanism and of
public welfare and of the honor of the
American name. The platform upon the
practical questions of tariff and finance
and other questions upon which both
parties are divided within themselves
says we are also divided in opinion. We
shall vote, therefore, in the choice of re-
and other officers, accord
ing to our individual opinions, as there
Is no distinction in issue upon the public
policy presented Tor the consideration of
Inc country. The character of the can
1idate becomes Of the highest import
lnce to all citizens who do not hold that
PARTY victory should he secured at any
,ost, while republicans nominations pre-
'ents party whom we cannot support
he democratic party presents one whose
lame is synomen of political courage
md honesty and administrative reform.
rhe platform then eulogizes Cleveland
It considerable length, dwelling on his
ability and courage of
conviction in the face of popular clamor,
y exhibited while Mayor and Cover
Tor.
1t points out the fact that he has
prung into prominence since the war
,etween the sections, and is not subject
o the effect of the fierce anlmosities of
hat time and predicts his administration
would be to the honor of American citi-
enship at home and abroad. It then
proceeds to declare that it is not the in
ention of Its trainers to leave the repub-
lean party or merge themselves in any
'ther party but that they propose to
ssist in defeating the republican nomi-
zee as duty which they owe to the
ountry as citizens in the interest of
'ure and wise administration. They
lold that the ballot is trust; respon-
Utility which no good citizen should
eek to set aside and that he must an
wer to his private conscience for the
ight administration of that trust. The
latform concludes by advising the indie |
endent voters to vote for electors who
ill vote for Grover Cleveland for |
resident.
Pioneers Association.
We have received the call for meet