New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-15

A PLEA FOR GRESHAM.
HYPOCRISY OF THE MUGwUMp ATTITUDE To-
WARD HIN.

HYPOCRISY OF THE MUGwUMP ATTITUDE To-
WARD HIM.
To me Edftor Or re irtbmns.
Sir: Mr. Blaine has magnanImousy stepped aside
in the interest of harmony in the party, and set an
example hard to follow by those who would succeed
him I'm leadership. But Will venture to say that
no one OF these otherwise worthy gentlemen for
moment be considered worthy or desirable by the
Republican party for its Presidential candidate this
year unless he show himself capable OF the same
self sacrifice. In this spirit Of action, then, there
appears to be Of two courses TO pursue by these
gentlemen The first requisite to success, however, Is
subordinate every personal preference and interest,"
In imitation OF Mr.. Blaine, to the interests OF the
country and tho party. without reservation, II such
thing be possible This being the anmating spirit, the
various leaders and their friends and Others In position
to give wise COUNSEL must decide whether not to
go into the convention and offer Mr. Blaine the nom-
nation unanimously, and In such a way to relieve
him Of all responsibility in the matter, and with such
hearty and unaffected zeal to make It impossible
him to decline. 1t has been evident that the Mug
wumps at least, next TO Mr.. Blaine. fear General
Gresham rs q candidate against Cleveland, but they
have been obliged to employ methods for defeating his
nomination the opposite Of those resorted to against
Mr. Blaine Knowing that Mr. Blaine has behind
him three ourths OF the Republican party they have
reasoned that II his supporters could be prejudced
against Gresham, It would be the most likely to de-
feat his nomination. They must also be aware that
Mr.. BlaIne's friends and followers will
never consent to nominate any ono who
Is, in any way, identified with Mug
wumpcry and that they will have their prejudices
and opposition easily aroused against any Individual
who has Mugwump approval The insincerity of their
pretences and their real purposes become evident,
especially In view OF their decai alton that they will sup
port no candidate against Cleveland. They naturally
fear the candidate most who win most clearly expose
their insincerly and the false logic Of their position as
Civil Service reformcE and who viii DO most likely
to divide their followers.
There another matter which may be worthy OF
sideration. The Republican party must 60 before
the country with candidate whose character Is
salabe, and thus for ITSELF beyond question,
moral advantage. This will give spirit and tone
and firm basis for free and vigorous work which, per-
haps, have (untustly beeve) sometimes In the past
deprived us of tho proper anlmating spirit for most
efficient work among those upon which the party must
rely for support Politicians lmbibe Mr.. Blane's
spirit ard yield their preferences for those which tho
people would undoubtedly manifest If they could
perfectly free and intelligent expression. We
most also go before the country, not as opposing
revenue reform, but In favor Of IT, but opposed to
revenue reform OF the freorade kind and I'm favor of
Just reduction OF tariffs strictly protective basis,
however, and make all this clear to the people by
our platform and candidate that there can be no fear
OF mistake or danger OF the peoples being deceived by
the freetrade and Democratic sophstrles. This can
only be done II Mr.. Blaine, with his unequalled qualities
VI uOcS Dy nominating SuCh man
General Gresham. With him, 1t seems to me- stand
ing such PLATFORM in the light of recent elections
there ought TO be no doubt what the issue will
bring forth Those most directly affected by tho pro-
tective duties must the need OF such a course In
order TO their interest from total destruction In the
future should Cleveland be reelected and the
Senate become Democratic Such man as Dcpew,
Morton, or Phelps, from the vicinity of New.Tork,
could be put up as VcePresideDta candidate, and In
his way add much strength to supplement that of
General Gresham.
As lifelong Republican and sincere believer IN the
principles for which the party has stood. deeply
interested In this matter and believe that now Is the
opportunity for each Republican TO put his best foot
forward No doubt all this has been considered over
and oyer again by those who better able TO fudge
and wiser than am but II do no harm to present t
but confident REPUBLICAN,
NewYorl, June 8, 1885,