The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-02-15
His Name Not to be Presented &c
the Chicago Convention.


countrymen who have sustained me SO lont
and so cordially that their feeling has seem
ed to go beyond the ordinary political adhe
renee of fellow partisans and 10 partake SOM
what Of the nature of personal attachment
For this most generous loyalty of friendship
can make no adequate return, but ! shall
carry the memory of it while life lasts.
" Nor can refrain from congratulatinv
the Republican party upon the cheering
prospects which distinguish the opening o
the national contest for 1858 as compared
with that OF 1854. In 1852 the Republica,
party throughout the Union met with disas
trous defeat. Ten states that had supported
Garfield and Arthur in the election of iss'
were carried by the Democrats either by ma
jorities or pluralities. The Republican los
in the Northern elections, exceeded half Z
million votes. aud the electoral votes of tn
Union divided on the basis of the result o
1852, gave to the Democrats over 800 eiector
out of total of l0l There was partia
reaction in favor Of the Republicans in the
elections Of 1888, but the Democrats still
held possession of seven Northern States an,
on the basis of the years contest could show
more than one hundred majority in the EIec
torsll College, Of the whole country.
"But against the discourasement natural
ly following the adverse elections of these
two years, the spirit Of the Republican party
IL. Il f,.ff - hfrrh
and the Republican masses entered into the
campaign with such energy that the final re
suit depended on the vote of a single state
and that state was carried by the Democrat,
party by plurality 80 small that it repre-
seuted less than one-eleyenth of one per cent
of the entire vote. The change of single
vote in every two thousand Of the total poll
would have given the state to the Republi
cans, though only one year before the Dem
cratic plurality exceeded one hundred and
nineiy-two thousand.
"The elections 1856 and iSS7 have demon
stra;ed growing strength in the Republican
ranks Seldom in our political history has
a party, defeated in National election. rallied
Immediately with such vigor Is have the
Republicans since 1854 No comparison Is
possible between the spirit of the party in
1888 and its spirit in 1861. Fhe two
periods present simply eontrast--the one
Of genera; depression and the other of en-.
thusiastic revival. Should the party gain in
the results Of 1sSs over those of 1867 in
anything like the proportion of the gain oi
1854 over isS2-3, il would secure one Of the
most remarkable victories Of its entire exist
encc But victory does not depend G5 81
large ratio Of increase the party has only
to maintain relatively it, prestige of 1867
to give to lis national candidate every North
ern State but one, with far better prospect
Of carrying that one than il has had for the
past six years
Another feature of the political situation
should inspire Republicans with Irresistible
strength. The present National Admins.
tration was elected with, il not upon, the re,
peated assertions af lis leading supporters in
every protection State that no Issue on the
tariff WIS involved. However earnestly
Republicans urged that question as the one O
controlling importance in the campaign
they were met by the Democratic Leaders
and journals with persistent evasion. con
cealment and denial. That resource tn,
President has fortunately removed. Theissu,
which the Republicans maintained and the
Democrats avoided in 1854 has been promi
nenily and specifically brought forward by
the Democratic Presiden; and cannot be hid
den out Of sight in lsSs. The country is how
in the enjoyment Sf an industrial system
which in a quarter Of century has assured
a larger national growth, a more rapid 81
eummnlation and broader distribution Gi
wealth than were ever before known 10 his
tory. The American people will now b'
openly and formally asked to decide whether
this system shall be Tecklessly abandoned
and new trial be made Of an old exper-
ment, which has uniformly led to national
embarrassment and widespread individual
distress. On the result Of such an issue fair
ly presented to the popular judgement. there
is no room to doubt
zone thing is necessary to.assure success
compieta harmony and cordial cooperation
on the part OF all Republicans. On the part
of those who aspire to load. and of those
who are eager to follow. The duty i no,
one merely Of honorable devotion to the
party, whose record and whose aims are
alike great, but &c Is one demand by the in
stinct ofself interest aud by the still higher
promp;ings OF patriotism.
A closer observation of the conditions Of
life among the older nations gives me more
intense desire that the American people
shall make no mistake in choosing the
policy which inspires labor with hope and
and CROWNS it with dignity; which gives
safety TO capital and protects its increase !;
which secures political powerto every citizen
comfort and culture to every home.
ITO this and. not less earnestly. and more
directly as a private citizen than as public
candidate, l shall devote myself, with the
confident belief that the administration of
the Government will be restored 10 a party
which has demonstrated the purpose of the
power to WELD it for the unity the honor of
the Repqblic, for the property and progress
sf iile peQIde.
am very sincerely yours,
JAMES G. BLAINE