New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-27
MR.. BLAINEs ABANDONMENT

The magnificent demonstration which packed
the enormous structure at Madison Square on
Thursday night was indeed, as Democratic
papers snarlingly observe. testimony to the
remarkable popularity Of Mr.. Blaine The
scene when he entered the house was indeed
one rarely witnessed, and one which probably
no other living American could have produced.
But then, the great demonstration was some
thing more 1t testified most eloquently to the
strength of the protective sentiment in this
stronghold Of free trade Democracy.
To appreciate this, it should be noticed that
several speakers prior to Mr.. Blaine's arrival
had thoroughly tested the character and tenn
per of the vast audience even when it was
largest and most impatient. Many times they
had touched upon purely Irish topics, and these
had been received with applause In which
about three-quarters of the great audience
seemed tn Join heartily. But at other times
they had appealed to the protective sentiment,
and then there had been more general ana
hearty applause than at any other time during
the whole evening. 1t was vast gathering, OF
which about three fourths were citizens Of
Irish extraction but nearly all were earnest
and ardent protectionists.
By these facts Mr.. Blaine's speech and its
effect are to be judged When he entered
there was tremendous outburst of enthusiasm,
in which, however, portion of the audience
took but little part. When he spoke earnestly
and strongly of the attempt by British Min
lister in this country to sway voters to favor a
Presidential candidate, his indignant censure
met the approval of a great proportion of his
hearers. But when he showed that British
interest in Mr.. Cleveland's election was largely
due to British anxiety to break down the pro-
tective system in this country, the feeling Of
the audience seemed stronger and more gen
eral than at any other time. Beyond doubt,
Mr. Blaine touched the sympathy and COM
handed the intelligent approval Of the great
majority of American citizens, 10 resenting and
rebulGng the effort Of British Minister to
promote British manufacturing and trading
interests by helping to overthrow the Ameri-
can policy under which this Nation has attained
such magnificent development.
The letter of the British Minister Is Of i'm
portance and kindles just indignation, not
merely or mainly because it was violation Of
diplomatic proprietes. 1t is Of comparatively
little consequence to Americans whether Lord
Sackville has served his sovereign with skill,
with tact or with scrupulous attention TO eti-
quette. But it is of the greatest consequence
for them to know that the British Government
does in fact long for Mr.. Cleveland election
because it is convinced that he will favor a
distinctively British instead Of an American
policy in oar National affairs. Lord Sackville
has had the very best opportunity to know
whereof he speaks. When he afirms that the
President can be expected to serve English in
terests and to act in accord with the wishes Of
the English Government. especially with re-
gard to the defence of American industries,
that statement is of great weight. Its force
and importance would not be lessened in the
slightest degree if the British Minister, because
Of his violation of official prophecies. should be
invited to some other sphere of duty.