The Portland daily press., 1888-08-04
Or. storrs on the Contest.

1t has repeatedly been announced that the
Rev. Richard S. Storrs, d. D., of Brooklyn,
the noted Congregationalist minister, had de-
cided not to vote the Republican ticket this
year on account of dissatisfaction with the
platform adopted by the Republican conyen-
tion at Chicago. In the last number of the
New York Independent is long letter from
DR.. Storrs, in which he gives at length and
very clearly his views. ''It becomes in.
creasingly probable" says the doctor at the
outset, that shall again vote for the Re-
publican ticket" That the Republican plat
form adopted at Chicago is not altogether TO
his liking he frankly declares. The condi-
tional clause in regard to the abolition of all
the internal revenue taxes he does not ap-
prove. He believes that the taxation of
whiskey tends to reduce the CONSUMPTION.
and he would have this taxation continued
in any event. The temperance resolution is.
too, not so strong and definite as he desired
AT the same time, however" adds the Doc
tor, Il cannot conceal from myself the fact
That even on this subject reliance is to be
placed ON the Republican party, rather than
on that which principally opposes it, in any
endeayor to assist by law the interest of
temperance. The history of recent
years in our own State seems to shew that.
as rule, the Republican party fayors tenn
perance and would support it by law when
ever practicable. while the chief opposition
to it comes from the other side" Therefore.
notwithstanding what to him seems an error
terests of temperance to still continue to act
with the Republican party.
Asf for the tariff. DR.. Storrs believes in
revision and REIMBURSEMENT, but not on the
lines laid down in the Presidents message.
He is firm believer in protection. and in
his opinion the Presidents message points
toward free trade. He says:
The policy of protection, which our fathers In
self TO me as essentially wise; and cannot vote
for any party, or any candidate by whom tariff
laws are regarded as an inequitable scheme, per-
mtting tax 70 be laid upon every community in
the land for the beneft of manufacturers. and
adding the amount of the duty to the cost of living
N eyery ,e e0me sScn with others Of
sage oil seven months ago, seem logically to intend
Tree trade as their conclusion whether or not that
conclusion is distinctly announced. The English
press appears TO me unquestionably right In put
ting this Interpretation upon them. With nv
contrary convictions could not honestly cast a
vote In that direction.
One OF the strongett reasons why he will
continue to support the Republican ticket
lies in the character of the Republican cam
didates. On this point he says:
Mr.. MortonI had already had reasons to es-
teemi but 1t happened that l knew almost moth
Ing OF General Harrison, up TO the time of his
nomination, He is represented to me, however,
Py .no eg5,r wno knew him we'll and N whom
serious, thoughtful and conscientious man, do
mestic In his habit, pure in his tastes, OF friend
~ and generous spirit, Independent in thought
and unspotted in reputation while eloouenf in
utterance and gallant in the heid-a reyerent and
deyout man, highly honored by his neighbors,
faithful and painstaking in all duties. Precisely
such a man should be, think, at the head Of this
churches. His influence cannot but be an ele-
ment Tor good. not only in the administration of
analrs put u the moral culture OF the country
he did not so distinctly represent whatever is best
in the American life and spirit.
Takining everything into consideration,
therefore, DR.. Storrs thinks it increasingly
probable that, when the time comes to vote,
three months hence, his objections to the
Chicago platform will not suffice to prevent
him from voting for the Chicago nominees.
He does not find himself ready to break with
his party because its representatives in a
national convention have made what seem to
him mistakes in formal declaration of its
policy. He says:
Having conscientiously acted with it for more
than thirty years, during which 1t has appeared
to my substantially right on nearly all the funda-
mental political and ethical questions agitated
among US since before the civil war, have a GER
tam abiding confidence In its instinct of right
eousness, and in the civil wisdom of those hon
ored leaders In 1t with whom / have sympathized
"a pontlcai thougnt Practical results are
the important things in politics. and amid The
currents and counter currents OF trade and poll
tics swllling around u.s. remembering that plat
forms exercise no despotic control over the intel-
gent life OF party, am still earnestly disposed
70 feel that the national welfare wifi be more
likely 70 be advanced, on the lines which com.
mend themselves to me, If the Republican candi-
dates shall be elected in November.