Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-05-25

The letter from Judge Tourgte, the well
known author and lecturer. which is print
ed in this issue, is one which will attract
wide attention ON the part of thoughtful
aud sober minded Republicans They will
not agree, and we do not agree, with all Of
Judge TouTgGe conclusions. We do not
think publication about Mr., Blaine, like
that of the Indiana libel suit, would have
any appreciahle effect in the canvass, any
more than would AN attempted revival Of
the Buffalo scandal against Mr.. Cleveland.
Neither do we believe Mr. Blaine's election
an impossibiity in case Of his nomination.
On the contrary he would again develop
very large degree of personal enthusiasm,
and there is n very strong probability that
the universal dissatisfaction with the Cleve-
land administration would be enough to
turn the scale in Mr.. Bane's favor
With what Judge TourgGe says about
making the issue in this campaign one of
steadfast party principles we are however
in thorough accord In an editorial on
this subject in September last, when the
proceedings in certain western state CON
ventions began 10 look forward to the ma
tional canvass we said that the Republican
platform of this year ought TO he plat
form which says reform, and that the can
didates put upon it ought to Ice candidates
which mean reform To this opinion we
still hold
The thing which we object to in the gar
rulous talk of the Blaine papers is that they
lay their whole stress ON the question, "Whu
will carry the most votes Z" They then go
ON a. assume that Mr. Blaine is that man,
and hence he should he nominated Even
so good Vermont Republican piper ms the
Rutland Herald steadily follows the lead of
the New York Tribune in this kind of un-
Republican argument. In 1860 the party
held first of all To certain great principles
which it laid down and insisted upon AZ
terward it cast about for the mon rs candi
dates who best represented these principles
1t ought 10 be so this year if the party is Il
win victory which means anything.
The issue Of II genuine reform Of the civ
il service seems somehow TO have dropped
out Of sight as the talk about candidate.
has increased, but the people have not for.
gotten il. 1t was me issue in the campaign
Of 1884, and it was on his reform promise,
that MIR. Cleveland was elected. He ha,
broken them all, save only rs the letter of
the civil service law has been obeyed the
spoilsmen have triumphed over him, and
no party ever had a better chance to win a
victory ON principle than the Republican
party now has by planting itself squarely
ON the principle of this reform aud then
nominating 10 head its ticket candidate
whose character and record are "A guaranty
that he will hold his administration true Il
II. On the tariff question the principle OF
protection of American industries must b,
faithfully maintained, but there must alst
he recognition of the popular demand for
proper tariff revision. On this issue ",
have seen no better declaration than is con
tanned in letter from ex-Gov. Alger
Michigan's "favorite son, which is printed
ON our first page to-day. On the temper
ance question and against the saloon inter
est too strong ground cannot be taken
The Republican party never vet lost any
thing by declaring unequivucally for tn,
right, and it will lose this year only as il
fails TO do this
These three, with the protection of tn,
rights Of citizenship South and North ar,
the fundamental issues before the countr,
today. Let the party put its emphasis OF
these, and let it show its sincerity by tn,
nomination Of candidates whom the coun
try recognizes as standing for these things
and it would 20 into the fight with such a
moral impetus as would assure triumphant
success. But defeat even, in such a fight
would not be defeat it would he the high
est kind Of victory while victory Sc
cured on no defnahle basis hut that Of
Catching the most votes might Ice far To-
dearly Won.