The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-06-20
tions of the Republican party, Mr.. Thurston

come from a State whose vast domain
has been largely appropriated by the suryi-
wing veterans of the Army of the Republic
under the beneficent provisions OF the home
stead and pre-emption laws enacted by a
Republican Congress, and true to the recol-
lection of the past, the homesteaders Of the
West still march on under the banner OF
Republicanism, in victory and defeat, IN sun
shine and storm, in prosperity and adyersl-
ty. This mighty West retains the courage
of its conviction and holds that devotion to
principle, though 1t brings defeat, is better
than success, achieved by broken vows and
political dish0nor.
We are met in national convention for de-
liberation and conference. The Republican
party of the United States relies upon the
wisdom of its assembled delegates for such
action as will insure success, If we are pre-
pared to honestly meet the supreme issues
Of the hour with clear, fearless and ring
ing declaration of principles, and to nomin-
ate ticket which will commend itself to
the loyalty and intelligence of the country
we can win grandly.
We enter upon the proceedings Of this con-
vention prepared to sacrifice individual Judg-
ment to the wisdom of the majority and to
lay down personal preference on the altar Of
party success. When our candidates are
chosen we will all join with heart and soul
in grand chorus Of rejoicing and the rain
bow of our harmony shall give certain prom
Use of the glory of that victorious morning in
November.
When the Democratic party at the close Of
the last Presidential election robbed US of a
victory, honestly and fairly won, we patient
ly waited for the certain coming Of justice.
We hoped and believed that 1888 would right
the great national wrong OF 1S84-right II
not only for the Republican party but for the
grand and glorious candidates whose names
were the inspiration Of that wonderful cam
paign.
The infinite wisdom of an all wise Provi-
tI.s...x. H. e H..
the citizen soldier, the warrior statesman,
the Black Eagle Of Illinois, has been sum-
moned by the silent messenger to report to
his Old Commander beyond the river, but al
though John A. Logan is dead in the body,
he lives again In the illuminated pages Of his
country's most splendid history
The other, that gallant leader, the chave-
lier of American politics, the glory Of Re-
publicanism and nightmare of the Democra-
cy, our Henry of Navarro, is seeking in for
eign travel the long needed relaxation and
rest from the wearisome burdens of public
life and service. With the sublime mag
nanimity Of his Incompatible greatness he
has denied us the final pleasure Of support
ing him in this convention. Designing
above all things party harmony and success
he has stepped from the ladder of his own
laudable ambition til at some other
man may climb to power. As his
true friends we cannot-dare not-commit
the political crime Of disobedience to his ex-
pressed WILL we cannot place him at the
head OF our ticket, but we Will make him
commander-in-chief, at the head of the
forces in the field, and though James G.
Blaine may not be our President yet he re-
mains our uncrowneds king, welding the
baton of acknowledged leadership, supreme
in the allegience of his devoted followers,
honored and respected by all honest and 10y
al men, the greatest living American and the
worthy object of our undying love.
But the Republican party Is not left with
out great men to place upon its ticket. We
have that honest, able and experienced finaH-
cier, statesman and Senator from Ohio, and
his no less distinguished colleagues from
Iowa and Indiana. Michigan and WiscOn-
sin present to us gallant soldiers, while New
York, New jersey, Kansas, Connecticut and
other States offer worthy and favored sons.
From this splendid galaxy Of political stars
we cannot choose an unworthy candidate.
The Republican party points with pride to
the great achievements Of its past and Of
fers as an earnest Of its future faithfulness
an unbroken record Of services performed
for freedom, union and national prosperity.
1t is prominently the party of protection. 1t
was born of an irrepressible desire to pro-
tect the slave from the lash of the master
and to save our civilization from the blight
ing cuts of its crime against humanity. 1t
performed the sacred mission Of protecting
the republic from secession and later it sue
ceeded in protecting the credit and curren-
cy Of the nation. Its platform stands for
protection of popular government on the
American continent; stands for the protec-
tion Of all governmental and international
rights for restriction ON invasion; stands for
the protection of tho ballot box from the
crimes OF intimidation and robbery; stands
for the protection Of home invention, home
skill and home labor against the free trade
heresies which would pauperiZe and degrade
them all stands for the protection Of the
people from unjust and oppressive exaction
and combination OF aggravated capital and
corporate power stands also for protection
OF both capital and corporation from confs-
cation and mob violence; and above all
stands for the happiness of the American
home. 1t welcomes TO our shores the down.
trodden and oppressed of evely land, but il
insists that the inestimable blessing OF
priceless blood of our heroes and martyrs
shall be extended to those only who are in
accord with the fundamental principles OF
our government, and who will loyalty sup
port the sacred provisions of the constitution
OF the United States. 1t holds that Congress
has power to save American civilization and
morality from the leprosy of Asiatic Pagan
ism, degradation and contagi0n. 1t main
tains that the nation should extend the ben
etits OF free government to all true lovers of
liberty. but it demands that the law of the
land shall be shield to those only who obey
it, and that for the Anarchist, Communist
i and the criminal, American justice has moth
ing to offer but the sword.
| The reconstructed Democracy has now
| been in power nearly four years. Its ad-
ministration has been most satisfactory to
those who hold office under it. Its loyalty
has received the approval of every enemy OF
| the government. The courage Of its foreign
| policy has amused the great powers and
| pleased every coward. Its civil service has
| been so thoroughly reformed as to delight Mr..
Higgins. Its justice to disable soldiers has
| won golden opinions from those who gave
| them their wounds. Its financial manage
ment has been safe because of its inability
to destroy the resulting prosperity Of the Re.
| straddle of the tariff question has been a
| source of wonderment to "G0ds and men,
1t is strong in the imbecility of "innocuous
| desuetude."
The mission Of the Republican party is
| not ended. The work OF the Republican
| party will never be done until every Ameri-
can enters into his unquestioned inheritance
OF liberty, equal rights and justice, until rep.
| resentation in Congress is based upon votes
freely cast and fairly counted, until adequate
| provision has been made for the helpless
ness and old age Of the disabled veterans,
| and the widows and orphans of their dead
| comrades, and until those policies of govern
ment which bring about national and indi-
yidual prosperity are firmly established.
The Republican party longs and prays fol
the coming of the millieum when in spirit
and in truth Mason and Dlxon's line will be
blotted our forever, when fraternities and
common interests unite us all, but when that
| glad time comes black and white must march
| side by side in the broad sunshine Of safety
and lie down to peaceful slumber in the un.
troubled shadows Of protected homes. The
Republican party turns to the new Soutf
| with wide-open arms. 1t offers loyal assist
ance in its development.
The great issue of the present campaign Is
that of the tariff. To the support of pro
tective tariff there will rise up an over
whelming army of intelligent, thoughtful
and practical men, and the East, North and
| South will join hands together to forever ex
terminate in this republic the pernicious doc
| trine of free trade.
We remember that other great convention
held in this city in 1860. We remember how Il
| was inspired with wisdom and courage to Sc
| lect that great man of the people, that Nose.
who led as through the parted waters of the
| sea, past the wilderness of battle, over thu
| Jordan of safety into the promised land LII
1884 we were driven back into the wilderness
| again. God give US wisdom to find another
Moses who can limit our wandering to fou
| years instead Of forty.
| Let us read the lessons Of the mighty pas
rightly and hold its precepts dear. WheI