Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-12
The Platform Altered.

The attempt OF the Republican mana
gers to elect HARRISON by proxy IS an
acknowledgment that they committed a
blunder when they nominated him. To
battle Mr.. BLAISE's head will not relieve
Nr. HARRISON OF the headache. To Gu
3oeize Mr.. BLAINE will not commend
MIR. HARRISON TO public favor. TO show
that Mr.. BLAINE voted against admitting
the Chinese into this country will not
help theman who voted to admit them.
The entire New York demonstration OF
Friday night will he regarded and
treated rs confession that Mr.. UABRI-
son cannot be elected. Nay, was it not
Che commencement Of the BLAINE cam
paien Of 1882? HARRISON was forgot
fen altogether. no doubt, by the crazy
9laineites. What care they for the
Joosier? They are for tho Plumed
knight first. last, and oil the time.
Mr. BLAINE knows that tho current
campaign is the last that will involve the
old sectional issues which originated
during the war or before ANY new sec
fioasl issues that might arise In the fu-
fure would ns likely he between the Last
End the West as between the North and
the South. Therefore, or for some other
reason, be Nstod by unavoidable imph-
cation in his New York speech that sec
fionalism ought not TO be made sn issue
in the passing cqmpaisn. This Is surely
q good sign. 70 shows that sectionalism
is dead. IL shows that Dir. BLAINE has
granted a dispeusaiion to set aside the
following pi.na Of the platform upon
which Mr.. HARRISON was nominated.
That plank is as follows;
eve rea9icm our answering devo-
zion 20 the personal rights and
liberties of citizens in all the States and
Territories IN the Union, and especially
l. the supreme and sovereign right OF
cyerv lawful citizen rich or poor, ma
tive or foreicn-horn. white or becE-to
cast dle free ballot IN public elections,
md o. have that ballot duly counted.
We hold the free aud honest popular
ballot and the Just and equal representa-.
zion OF all tho people to be the founda
lion OF our Republican Government, and
demand effective legislation TO secure
Abe integrity and parity 81 elections
which are the fountains OF public au-
9hority.
That plank WIS laid in the Chicago
platform less than two months ago. 1t
demanded-yes, demanded" effective
legislation 10y Congress "to secure the
integrity and purity Of elections" That
is. it demanded sectional legislation. 1t
demanded that the Federal Government
should usuIp the functions Of thesouthern
State governments and pass laws under
the operation Of which the Republican
marty could secure the control OF the
South. But Mr.. BLAINE, if he meant
what lie said in New York, and intends
10 stand to and abide by it, foreseeing
the evil day for sectionalism, has deter
mined to take time By the forelock and
blaze a path for his followers TO pursue
in 1SSs. We quote from his New York
speech |
at is not conteshof capital against
capital; 1t is not Il contest of partisan
against partisan. 1t is much higher
than either OF these 1t transcends all
party motives-whether the great mass |
OF American citizens who earn their
bread by the sweat of their brow shall !
be seriously reduced III their emoiument
from day to day That is the whole pith |
sud moment Of Of this question. -4Hg- |
thing nat dicerts the question from !
that singie point is a ,ccahcning Of the |
campaign"
Anything that diverts the question
from that single point is weakening Of |
the campsign." Yes, neutrality-suspicious.
alism or what not In word, Mr.. BLAINE
has changed the Chicago platform. Will |
Mr.. HARRISON consent that he and the |
Chicago Convention shall play second
fiddle to Mr.. BLAINE?