Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-11
Statesmen or Politicians.

For years the Republican party has
had no issue on which to go before
the people. That this is true may be
gathered from the false shadows OF
issues which campaign after campaign
they have made their platforms out
of. The war of twenty years ago has
been their stock in trade up to the
present year of grace. The reason for
this beggarly account of principles is
not far to seek. The United States is
large country with large interests at
stake, large enterprises being pushed
forward by the most intelligent, ener-
getic people on earth. Such circum-
stances naturally evolve principles,
but it requires statesmen to discern
them, and formulate them in words
which will clearly define such prin-
ciples in the mind of the average citi-.
zen. The Republican party has not
put forward statesmen for many years.
That party has fallen into the hands
of mere politicians. The politician
never discovers principle, nor will
he adopt one that is discovered by
others. He sees but one object con-
nected with the governing of Ma
ton. His eye is riveted to some office
as the coveted prize. To him public
office is not public trust. 1t is a
thing to which emollument is at
tached, and it is the loaves and fishes
for which he attaches himself to any
cause. An office is means of live
lihood to him, and when he is pro-
vided for, the next vacancy is a good
thing to give friend-that is to one
who may be able to control votes.
Such is the politician, and under the
leadership of such the grand old party
has been marching to deieatfor some
time past.
There is no question about this.
Mr.. Blaine was for years the most
conspicuous figure in the party. Mr..
Blaine never mastered the first prin-
ciples of craftsmanship. He never
learned even the alphabet of that ex-
alted science. If he did, let some Of
his many admirers point out wherein
he showed it. What great principle
did he ever evolve in all his many
years in Congress? What measure
of National importance is connected
with his name? What bill embrac-
ing any wise and great views did he
ever introduce into Congress?
1t was thought the Presidents mes
sage was to give the Republican party
a principle and a policy with which to
go before the people. The moment
that able state paper was given to the
people, thousand hands were reach
ed out by men in whose soul was no
lot of truth, and these affixed to the
message a most false brand in the
words 'sFree Trade" Tnus by men
dacity they aimed at creating prin-
ciple-so little understanding have
they Of the inner nature of things.
"High Protective Tariff was to be
raised as the war-cry. Protection to
whom? To make a great principle
OF Protective Tariff, the protection
must be to labor. The rich man does
not need protection. The rich are few,
and it is the most despicable subser-
viency to bad cause to seek to make
these few rich richer at the expense
of the great toiling masses of the poor.
The false issue was soon unmasked.
Whatever was named as likely to be
put in the free list, if large capital
was Interested in that. the whole Re-
publican press, at the bidding of the
politicians Of the party, raised howl
against the measure. The aim was to
protect capital, to protect monop-
olics, to protect millionaires.
Labor did not enter into the
account. There was no principle in
1t, and therefore no issue could be
formed out Of 2 High Protective Tariff
policy in which tax was to be put
On the poor mans necessities in order
-
= incresse the rich mans hoard,