Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-23

-NaANRs-
The paramount issue Of the presidential
election OF this wear is neral rather than po-
litical II concerns national honor and
character and honesty Of ADMINISTRATION
rather than general policies OF the govern
menI. upon which the platforms of the two
parties do not essentially differ No position
taken BY one platform is seriously IraverSed
by the other, but evidently contemplate q
general agreement of public opinion on sub
Jects which have been long in controversy
ana indicate their unwillingness to declare
f upon the other anu cardinal questions views
which in the present condition OF opinion
might seriously disturb the parties; whether
themselves parties, ladeed, now cohere
mainly by habit Snd tradition, and since the
great issues which have divided them has
been largely settled, most political activity
have been the endeavors OF good citizens in
both parties to adjust them TO sthe living
issues and TO make them effective agencies OF
political progress and reform. The hides
pensable necessity of this course has long
been apparent for in time of profound peace.
home and abroad, ot the most threatening
national perils, insidious political corruption,
mercenary and semoralizing spirit and tend
encv, the result OF what is well described bv
Senator Hoar Of Mass, as The shameless
doctrine that the true way by which power
should be gained IN the republic is to hribe
people with offices created Tor their service
and the true end for which it should be used
when gained Is promotion of selfish ambition
and qualification OF personal revenge" But
this doctrine has produced results which are
still more alarming. The corrupt spirit aud
tendency have so rapidly developed that they
seek political power, not only 10 CRAFTY am
hition and revenge but 10 promote private
gain.
If the republican convention had presented
a candidate whose character aud career were
pledge of the resolute contest with the
tendencies that we have described; if they
had toretold the stern dealing with political
corruption and vigorous correction of the
vast abuses which the long and undisturbed
tenure of power by any party is sure to breed;
if the success OF the candidate had promised
lnfexible honesty OF administration, purif-
cation OF government and elevation of party
standard, every republican voter would have
gladly supported the nomination, but these
are precisely the anticipations which the
nomination forbid.
1t offers that a candidate who is an unfit
leader. shown by his own words and acknow-
lodged acts, which are of official record, to be
unworthy of respect and confidence, who has
traded on his official trust for pecunlary gain,
representative of the mere methods and con
duct which public conscience condemns and
which illustrate the very evils which honesty
would reform, such nomination does not
promise-n executive chair-inhexibe offici- /
al integrity, calm and wise Judgment, sole
regard for public welfare and unshrinking
determination to promote reform in civil ser.
vice ceaselessly to pursue and punish public
robbers of every kind and degree. Independ-
ent voters have generally supported the re-
ing reform than those of the democratic party
Independents, however, cannot support the
nomination which is the elimination of ten
dency they would correct. Republicans cannot
hope that under such leadership as we have
mentioned, abuses of the past can be correct |
ed or party reformed.
We are very proud Of the great record and /
services of the republican party. but not with |
our consent or Connivance shall the record be /
disgraced. Every party must he consistently /
renewed by the intelligent independence of
is go, H.byrs, or 1t vii -irk from lla agency
to secure good government into remorseless !
despotsm
The republican party first sprsng from
moral sentiment. 1t was party of political /
morality and Of personal liberty. 1t appealed /
directly to the conscience of the citizen. But
ike all parties it was political agency not to
be worshipped, but 70 be carefully held to the
spirit and Purposes on which. and for which, !
it was organized.
"I DO not know" said Mr.. Seward thirty
years ago when he left the whig party to Join
the republican, II do not know that it will
always or even long preserve its courage, its
moderation and consistency. If it shall do so
it will secure and save the country. Ifit,
too, shall become unfathtul, as all preceding
psrtIps have done, 1t will, without sorr0w or
regret on my part perish as they are perish
ing, and will give place 70 another, a truer
ami better one"
That reasoning must not be forgotten. Il
is with the profound conviction of its wisdom
that the republicans are faithful to the party,
but holding with the great republican bolters
that the political morality and purity of
administration are more precious than the
party, are more constrained to oppose the I
republican presidential nomination in the in
terest Of what they believe to be pure repub- !
HCanism. of public welfare and Of honor of
Ameaican name The republican nomination
has for a time superseded all others bv
raising the question of official honesty. The
question cannot be avoided except on the
plea that the official character Of the candi- I
dates need not be considered and that in |
order to secure their president the mem
bers of the party ought TO vote for any
candidate regularly nominated
The platform then concludes with an ear
nest support of the character and fitness Of
Cleveland as the presidential candidate
Curtis vas frequently interrupted by
applause, and when he had finished, the reso.
Iutiors were adopted without dissenting
voice.
Everett af Quincy, Mass offered a resoIu
ton naming Cleveland and Hendricks as the
nominees Of the conference. 1t vas laid on
the table and soon after the conference
adjourned.