Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-10-07
The Republican Change Of Front.

Il
There is not much need of argument to
show that there is dismay in the Repub-
lican councils. The whole plan of the
Republican campaign has evidently been
changed, and it has resulted in great
deal Of hoarseness on the part of James
G. Blaine. There need not be much
wonder if this temporary disability should
result in catarrh and asthma, and per-
haps even tuberculosis itself. The Plumed
Knight is not as strong as he was in the
old days. Having struck the keynote OF
high protection, and having issued his
ukase that the tariff should be let alone,
the conduct of John Sherman and other
frisky young Republican Senators has
created an atmosphere very inimical to
Mr.. Blaine's lungs. 1t will be remem-
bered that, on his arrival from Europe,
the Plumed Knight sent his letters
missive to Washington commanding that
there should be no tampering with the
high war-tariff duties. They were
to be allowed to stand precisely
as they were. Instead OF his imperious
mandate being respected, guffaw vert
round the inner Sanhedrim Of the Re.
publican Senate. The grave and rever-
end seigneurs of that body, from Ed
munds to Sherman, thought they knew a
thing or two themselves. They were not
willing to range themselves in the hum
BILE category of tyros and satellites, and
they at once proceeded to mature a
tariff bill which shows how correctly they
reatzed the strong hold which Presi-
dent Cleveland's statesmanlike position,
supplemented by the Mills bill, had
taken of the masses. Like our debo-
nair local orator, Hon. Tom Fitch, Mr..
Blaine's position as to the surplus was,
substantially, tina. it ought to be "blown
in" Not so thought Allison, Sherman,
Edmunds, and other Republican
Senators, who were afraid to face their
constituents on any such Brum-
magem programme. 1t was a
fearful thing for them to be
obliged to give the lie to the ten thou
sand Republican newspapers, who were
vociferating that there was no surplus
and would be deficit, but the thing had
to be done, and it was done at once, and
with a relentless disregard OF the Blaine
wing of the party. The Mills bill had
to be surpassed, if possible, and really
bold attempt has been made to throw
the Democrats into the background on
the surplus. The general estimate of
the reduction made by the Mills bill
footed up only some sixty millions of dol
lars. Our Republican friends see it and go
fifteen millions better.
There has never been in the history of
American politics more complete sur
render than this. Under the surface OF
this entire Republican change of cam
paign, which has received it's initiative
from the colder and more cal
culating spirits of the Republican
party, we may be assured that
there are great heart burnings
and dismay. The party has been
obliged to violate the adage embodying
the homely sagacity of Abraham Lincoln,
that it is not wise to swap horses in
crossing stream. A change OF front in
face of the enemy is always difficult
maneuver and rarely if ever successful.
Through all this Republican discom6-
ture shines out the wisdom and states.
manship of President Cleveland's atti-
tude, taken up a year ago. Our opponents
are unwilling to concede to the President
the high qualities of intellect and judg-
ment which he has developed at every
successive stage of his career, but their
acts pay him the compliment their
tongues refuse to speak. His will be the
high praise in history OF not only having
determined the attitude of his own party
in what has been aptly termed cam
paign of intellect but that OF his oppo-
nents as we'll.