The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-06-07
CURRENT COMMENT.
THURMAN's FAITH.

cincinnati Commercial Gazette.l
When the political pests began to sur
round Mr.. Thurman, like a swarm of June
bugs, he remarked that ''if they believe me
an honest man they will let me Alone"
A QUEER FIX.
Hartford Courant] H
This week the accredited delegates of the
Democracy assemble in national convention
In the city of st. Louis to do five things
First, to nominate Mr. Grover Cleveland a
second time for the Office of President of the
United States,-not because they want to.
but because they can't help themselves.
Second, to find out whom Mr.. Grover
Cleveland wishes for his associate on the
ticket. and to nominate him, too.
Third, to accept, ratify and promulgate in
the name OF the party the platform which
Mr.. Grover Cleveland, of his own win and
pleasure, has provided.
Fourth, to learn and carry out Mr.. Grover
Cleyeland's wishes as to the composition of
the Democratic national committee,
Fifth, to adjourn, with cheers for Mr..
Grover Cleveland.
/ 1t is singular programme for the nation
al convention OF great, historic American
Z party-singular and not very dignifed. But
the st. Louis gathering will have to carry it
out, item by item. The delegates have no
choice in the premises. They can't help
themselves. MT. Grover Cleveland, SO far as
the Democratic party is concerned, is abso-
lutte master Of the situation. His other name
is He-who-must-be-obey
DO WE WANT THE MUGwUMP VOTE?
[Boston Journal
To this question we answer Yes or No.
according to the meaning which is convened
In the inquiry. Ii the question means. DO
we want the Mugwump free trade vote.
enough to be willing to weaken or abandon
the Republican principles of protection, we
answer emphatically No, The Republican
party does not regard the existing tariff
as fetch too sacred to be disturbed. 1t
perceives the evil Of the surplus and the
necessity OF revision; but it insists that such
harmony with the protective principle. and
IN such manner as to avoid the disturbance
OF industries and to sustain the prosperous
condition of American wage earners. No
gain In votes which could be had by surren-
derlng this principle or diminishing the en-
phasis placed upon it could compensate for
the disgrace of the surrender.
But IL the question relates to the indie pen
dent voters who, for other reasons than
attachment to free trade, voted with the
Democrats at the late Presidential election,
put are still, In most of their opinions, more
Republican than Democratic, we answer
frankly Yes. We do want their votes. and
hope TO have them in the coming contest.
There are great many Of these voters who
were deceived by. Mr.. Cleveland's voluble
professions OF reform purposes, and taking
up hastily the notion that he was "better
than his party" helped to make him Presi-
dent, only to find that his promises were
made but to be broken, and that the Demo-
cratic spoilsmen were in full control. These
voters are angry and disappointed 1t will
be hard for them to vote again for the man
who has broken his pledges, and who stands
as the representative Of the party whose
character and principles are precisely what
they were when their votes were given
against it. Why should we not make it easy
for these men to return to the party in which.
bytheirsympathies and opinions they belong
and to vote for the Republican candidates
next November? A strong ticket and good
platform will win the thousands of such yot-
ers, and hold thousands who might be alien
ated by mistaken policy We think that
the Republican prospects are good, but they
are not so good that we can afford to repel
any voters who belong with us. We cannot
perceive the wisdom In the course of some
OF our Republican contemporaries in virtual
ly taking the ground that mo inependent
need apply" for recognition in the party
we want to see the defeat of the Democracy
and the sham rcformer who is the Democrat
&c candidate made as overwhelming as posi-
bic, and to that end would have Candidates
ana platform which would win the warm
support OF the voters whom we are consider