The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-26
The Independents and Blaine.

The Independent element of the Re-
publican party has fulfilled the high ex-
pectations that were entertained of it
and bOlted the nomination of James Ct.
Blaine. We congratulate the Times,
delphia Times and Ledger, the Boston
Herald and Adrergiser, the Buffalo COM
mercial and Express, the Rochester
Post Express, the Chicago NeWS, the
Springfield Republican and the rest of
the Independent Republican organs on
their courage. honesty and consistency.
1t is so much easier to swallow humilia-
ton, eat words and stink along behind
the party than to defy established Gus
tom and organized pressure and dare to
stand alone. The sentiment which
moves these Independent journals TO
revolt is 4 wholesome one, and highly
creditable to those who entertain it.
The situation is peculiar. The divis-
ion is not on an abstract principle. but
on the personal character of a candidate.
The rebelliOus minority is strongly Re-
publican. Not for a moment does it
admit that Democratic principles are
better than Republican. But if good
man is nominated it PROFESSIONALLY de-
sireS the success of the Democratic
party. The Republican party organi-
cation is corrupt to the core. Its can
didate envelops in his unique personal
ity all the most vicious excrescenceS
that have grown out of the party dur
ing its career of unbridled power.
Moreover, he is a confessed bride -taker
and fascinating and tolerant political
profigate. To men of sound morals,
of decent lives, of elevated conceptions
of political duty, such a man is invinci-
bly, repugnant. When he is chosen by
reclamation in National convention,
it shows that not its most distinguished
men only. but majority of all the rep
resentatives of the Republican party
have equally low views of public duty
and personal integrity. With these,
conscientious men can not remain.
But if bonoris the impulse. confidence
is the backbone of this Independent
Republican movement. Two years ago
it showed its strength in one of the
most magnificent indications of the
principle of pure nominations ever wit
messed. Then. too, the minority has
force of character, and because of it is
self-reliant 1t knows itself and what
it wants. 1t will not compromise, halt,
shift, or back down. Composed of no
empty idcalists or fiighty theorists or
chronic wranglers, but of men who are
better Republicans than partisans and
better patriots than either, it holds
enough votes to punish if not to rule.
1t is the citizen soldiery of Republican
politics, made up of men who do not
fight in conventions for livelihood. At
general elections these men are accus-
toned to vote under orders. as it were,
for the candidate of the regular army.
But their leaders lead only on suffer
ance When it is worth the trouble to
hold an opinion of their own they hold
it for all the trouble is worth.
While the Democratic party would
have won the next election without the
assistance of the anti-Blaine clement, it
will be glad to have the anti-Blaine
votes. We believe the Independents
are sincere in offering to indorse any
good Democrat, and we will give them
such sterling candidate at Chicago in
July that they will forget the novelty of
their position in the pleasure of helping
70 elect him. Washington Post.