Connecticut western news., 1888-07-18
WEDNESDAY,, JULY IS, 1888.
THE CONFLICT.

Another of Americas great and non- descript political campaigns, amount ing to a national idiosyncrasy, has been opened by the nominations for the presidency. by three political parties. Gen Fisk and Brooks on the part of the Prohibitionists Grover Cleveland and Thurman on the part of the Democrats; Harrison and Morton on the part of the Republicans. Three conventions have been held and their platforms launched. The forces are gathering into line. The coming tornado is already in the air we feel the quiver. Many there are who dread the conflict. Some are getting into their storm-safe cellars while others are leaving for Europe, to get out of the path of this cyclone, when the vocalized breath of 6S millions of people will be heard in debate, in speeches, in songs, in hurrahs, in the blare of brass bands, in the tramp of torch-ight processions, and in much froth and foam. The scene is altogether peculiar strictly American-between 60 and 70 millions of people coming together to discuss and hear discussed, grave political questions. We may expect great excite ment Passions may run high.
 But as for myself I do not decrie this conflict, nor would stand aloof from 1t, although contention may rouse the whole country and the impulse be felt from ocean to ocean, for my observa- ton Is to the effect that g nation which does not fight, and has nothing to fight for, is in state of decay. A voice sings out everywhere: Fight for the life of you, Fight! Truth sends a sword into the world, and yields it, and no blade flashes so brightly and so far. This is strikingly illustrated in nature. Her best realm is one great battlefield, from the lordly world that turns its burning wheels in space, to the little forget-me-not, that opens it's blue eye on enemies all around it. The air is full of battles. Universal ether battles with every world in space, and the battle between hsat and ether gives birth to the light which manifests the glories of creation. Scarcely ball, or limb, or twig, or leaf of tree, or single spear of grass, can be found which does not bear scars received in battling for life. The battle rages on the petal of the most beautiful flower and on the cheek of fairest maiden. Where there is no battle there is death :; the petal of the rose fades, the cheek of the maiden pales :; the fire that gleams in the eye is quenched. The battle E.ges in the clouds until the clouds are transfgured into forms of beauty and tho rainbow springs it's arch of beauty over the storm-convulsed sky. The moon, we are told, is dead world. Having no atmosphere it has no storms, no thunder and lightnings. no ocean battling with the winds, and no winds battling with the ocean; no earthquakes, or rather moon-quakes. Its fires are put out It is dead world, 8 world of cinders.
 Such is the nation that mas no battles to fight. Nothing moves it's inertia. It n dead. National earthquakes reveal 8 tremendous life and are prophecies of coming victories. They mark the pro- gress of nations and of individuals as we'll. As Renau, the French philoso- pher, says: "The finest things in this world are done in state of fever every eminent creation involves distraction of equilibrium, violent condition for the being who produces it." This, ] think, is 8 universal law. Achievements through soul-taxing conflict, seems to be the condition of strength. of purity, and ever increasing riches.
 But in order that the result may be glorious it must be free fight {; 6ghi according to law-fair-each combat tant striking out from the shoulder never striking below the belt. or using brass knuckles or any other weapon but the naked fist, or no other strength but that which belongs to and ripens in the antagonists-Truth and Error. When there is thus fair fight the result Is no, uncertain; verifying the words of Jefferson, that, "Error ceases to be dangerous when truth is left free to combat it."
 And when truth is not left free to combat it, then the opposing party is composed of towards When factor is employed which does not spring from tue nature of the proposition advocated such as money for the purchase o votes in an election-or force for the prevention of voting or lying. forgery or double dealing. whereby the req issue Is dodged or avoided and dis honest advantage gained, then there ii no fair fight, and the party employing such forces and influences Is composed of gamblers, knaves, liars and towards by whatever name 1t calls itself.
 There Is no grander spectacle thai when two or more great parties figh their battles on plane where all cal end .lu see the evolutions and tactics
 when all are controlled by one umpire and that umpire is conscience, as sensi tive to right and wrong as mercury IS t' heat FAIRPLAY-