The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-09-23
HNRPE N's ON THE REPUBLICAN CAM
PAIGN.

PAIGN.
The following leading editorial from
| Harper's Weekly on the Republican
campaign is an interesting article
which will delight Democrats and may
not displeass Republicans:
"The autumn political campaign Is
nov fully opened. The party conVen'
tiOns are nominating candidates, aad
laying down platforms, and In Maine
where the first important election Oc-
ours, Mr.. Blaine has taken the stump,
and has made several speeches. His
speeches are important as those of the
ls Republican candidate for the Presi
dency and the Republican leader who
las the largest personal following. It
is fair TO regard them as party mani
festOs. From this point Of view in the
present situation the most significant
fact Is that iD his first carefully prepar
ed speech, read from the copy, of which
the Other speeches are but variations,
Mr. Blaine Laid no emphasis upon the
suppression of the cOlored vote in the
southern States, which was the chief
topic Of his Augusta speech alter his
defeat, or did he allude to the silver
question, nor to the surplus, nor to re-
form in the civil service,
He said, indeed, at Sebag0, hat the
cOlOred citiZens are prevented from VOt-
ing, and consequently are unable to
command fair wages. But he did not
insist upon the suppression Of the vote
as one OF the wrongs which Republican
success would correct. He did not do it
because ii Is a wrong which existed un-
der Republican ascendency, and was not
corrected, as crimes against the suffrage
In the Northern States are not corrected
by national authority. Mr.. Blaine was
as silent upon the question of admins
tratiVe reform as MIR. Webster used to be
upon the question of slavery In old Whig
times. He spoke much of protection, Of
the fisheries and of prohibition. But 1t
Is apparent that protection Is In no
danger from the present Democratic
party, and the fishery question must he
settled sooner or later by an explicit un-
derstanding with Great Britain, as the
President recommends, while Mr..
Blaine's view Of prohibition as State
question is necessarily unsatisfactory to
those who regard 1t as the chief Issue in
the election.
"The speeches of Mr.. Blaine fail to re.
veal any definite Republican policy up
on the questions Of honest elections. of
the finances, of administrative reform,
or Of prohibition. The State platforms
are equally obscure. The chief impress
sion which they produce ts that q dis
tinctlve national policy for the party is
wanting, and thai In each State IL ex-
presses Its views upon various public
question without regard to the party
views elsewhere. The Iowa platform
censures the President for not faYOring
the surplus distribution bill, and for
the Des MOines land grant veto It con-
demns Congress for its conduct In re-
gard to certain land grants, and its in
difference to the COllum bill. 1t opposes
the ownership Of public lands By nom
resident aliens, and favOrs the admis-
sion of Dakota. 1t eensures the pension
VetOes, and demands an increase of pen.
siOns, II denounces election abuses In
the north and the south, and ildorses
every legitimate effort Of organized
labor, to help itself. 1t demands pro-
tecti0n for American labor against for
eign pauper labor and domestic convict
and contract labor; sympathlzes with
the just aspirations Of Ireland, and de-
maDds the enforcement OF the liquor
Jaws until they are repealed.
"The Michigan and Ohio platforms
touch upon some topics not mentioned
In the Iowa platform. Michigan favors
a tariff TO protect American labOrers