Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-02-23

the nature of personal attachment. For this
most generous loyalty of friendship can make
no adequate return, but 1 shall carry the
memory of it while life lasts.
Nor can 1 refrain from congratulating the
Republican party upon the cheering prospects
which distinguish the opening OF the National
contest OF 1888, as compared with tina
of 1884 In 1882 the Republican party
throughout the Union met with a disastrous
defeat Ten States that had supported Gar
neld and Arthur in the election of 1881 were
carried by the Democrats either by MAORI
ties or pluraliteS. The Republican loss in the
Northern elections, compared with the preced-
ing National election, exceeded half a million
votes, and the electoral votes of the Union d-
Vfded on the basis of the result of 1882, gave to
the Democrats over 800 electors out of total
Oh !. There was partial reaction in favor
OF the Republicans in the elections OF 1889, but
the Democrats still held possession of seven
Northern States, and on the basis of the years
contest could show more than 100 majority in
the Electoral Colleges of the whole country.
But against the discouragernent naturally
following the adverse elections of these two
years the spirit of the Republican party in the
National contest of 1881 rose high and the Re
publican masses entered into the campaign
with such energy that the final result depend
ed on the vote of single State and the State
was carried by the Democratic party by a
plurality so small that it repre-
scented less than one-eleventh of one per cent.
OF the entire vote. The change of a single vote
have given the State to the Republicans,
though only TWO years before the Democratic
plurality exceeded one hundred and ninety-two
thousand
The elections of 1886 and 1887 have demon
strated growing strength in the Republican
ranks. Seldom IN our political history has
party, defeated in n National election, rallied
Immediately with such vigor as have the Re-
publicans since 1884. No comparison 5 pos
sible between the spirit of the party in 1928
N ba
sent simply a contrast-:he one of general de-
preston, the otner OF enthusiastic revival
Should the party gain IN the results of 1898
over those of 1867 in any thing like the pro-
portion of the gain of 1884 over 1929, il would
secure one of the most remarkable victories of
its entire existence. But victory does not
depend on so large ratio of increase:
the party has only to maintain rela-
lively its prestige OF 1867 to give to its Ma
tiOnal candidate every Northern State but
one, with far better prospect of carrying
that one than it has had for the part six
years.
Another feature of the political situation
should inspire Republicans with irresistible
strength. The present National Administra-
ton was elected with, if not upon, the repeated
assertions of its leading supporters in every
protection State that no issue on the tariff was
involved. However earnestly Republicans
urged that question as the one of
controlling importance in the campaign, they
were met by the Democratic leaders and
journals with persistent evasion, concealment
and denial. That resource the President has
fortunately removed The issue which the
Republicans maintained and the Democrats
avoided in 1894 has been prominently and
specifically brought forward by the Democratic
President, and can not be hidden out of sight
in 1888 The country now in
the enjoyment OF an industrial sys-
TEN which in quarter of century
has assured a larger National growth, a more
rapid accumulation and broader distribution
of wealth than were ever before known to his
tory. The American people will now be openly
and formally asked TO decide whether this sys
tenn shall be recklessly abandoned and new
trial be made of an old experiment which has
uniformly led to National embarrassment and
widespread individual distress. On the result
of such an issue, fairly presented to the popular
Judgment there is no room for doubt.
One thing only is necessary to assure success
complete harmony and cordial cooperation
on the part OF all Republication the part
both of those who aspire to lead and of those
who are eager to follow. The duty is not one
merely of honorable devotion to the party
whose record and whose aims are alike great,
but it is one demanded by the instinct of self
interest and by the still higher promptings of
patriotism.
a closer observation of the conditions of life
among the older nations gives one more in
tense desire that the American people shall
make no mistake in choosing the policy which
inspires labor with hope and crowns it with
dignity, which give safety to capital and pro-
tects its increase, which secures political power
to every citizen. comfort and culture to every
home To this end. not less earnestly and
more directly as private citizen
than as a public candidate. I shall devote my
self, with the confident belief that the Admin
istration of the Government will be restored to
the party which has demonstrated the purpose
and the power TO WELD it for the unity and the
honor of the Republic, for the prosperity and
progress of the people.
am, very sincerely yours,
JAMES G. BLAINE.
The letter has excited general comment
throughout the country, both from the
press and prominent men in public life.