Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-04-14
AMONG THE STATES.
The Political Atmosphere
Everywhere.
CONKLING'S CRITICAL CHANCES
A Youthful AbductOr-Interstate
COmmerce-RailrOad De-
velopments.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD
New YORK April 13.--A large and
distinguished gathering was present
in Steinway Hall tonight to hear an
address by James Russell Lowell on
"The Independent in Politics." deliv'
cred under thd auspices OF the New
Reform Club. Mr.. Lowell was intro
duced by Anson P. Stokes. He said in
part: In speaking OF the independent
in politics, it is my intention to treat
the subject inits general rather than
it's special application. If one would
know the difference between states
men and politicians, let him compare
Burke's views OF American troubles
with that of DR.. johnson. Never did
two men show more clearly the quail.
ty of true statesmen than Senators
FEssENDEN AND TRUMBULL,
When they dared to act independently
of party in the impeachment
case against President Johnson.
They saved us from the creeping
paralysis which is gradually benumb.
ing the polite organs ol
France. In our early days We
poduced statesmen not endowed
with a Burke's genius, but comparable
with him in breadth of view and per-
haps his superiors in practical sagaci-
ty. believe there is as much of raw
material of craftsmanship among us
as ever. If the parties will not look
after their own drainage there must
be somebody who will do it for them.
This duty can be done only by men
dissident from
THE INTERESTS OF PARTY.
The Independents have undertaken it
and with Gods help will carry il
through. A moral purpose multiplies
us by ten as it multiplied the early
Abolitionists. They. emancipated
the negro and mean to
emancipate the respectable white
man. [ am struck with the fact that
while we produce great captains and
political managers there seems to be
a pause in the production of leaders
in craftsmanship. am thankful to
have been contemporary of one, and
among the greatest whom posterity
will recognize as the wisest and mos
bravely human of modern times
Abraham Lincoln.
What will be Of immediate advant-
age to the party is the first thing con
sidered now; what Of permanent ad
vantage to the country the last. Botf
parties have been
EQUALLY GUILTY,
Both have evaded the living question
of to-day. Parties being nece ssary
there must be politicians to represen
them. There should be a neutra
body, large enough to moderate be
tween both, and to make both NOR
cautious of their choice of candidates
If we have not got all that we hope,
from the present administration, W
have got more than we expected. W.
have compelled the discussion of tn
question, and / have so much faitl
in the good sense ofthe American peo
pie as to feel sure that the dicussiol
means victory. Two great question
have been opened anew by the Presi
dent which really resolve themselve
into one, that of war tariff. 1 say O
the war tariff because it is .
mere electioneering device to call it
question of protection or fre'
trade, pure and simple. Advocates o
protection have been unwise in th,
shifting ground of debate. They hav,
set many people to asking whethe
robbng Peter to pay Paul is a methot
equally economical for both parties
The tendency Of excessive protection
which thoughtful men dread most
is that it stimulates unhealthy hom'
competition, leading to over produc
ton and disasters which are its taint
ed offspring. l cannot take a cheer
full view Of the future Of New England
when her leading industries are to b.
gradually drawn to the South. The,
will be by the cheapness of labo