Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-12-14

In speech he made at his home, Mt 9
Republican jollificaIion, after the election,
Mr.. Blaine, among other things, said
.'Many persons from their innttention to
the course OF events, and some from mere
cynicism, regard Presidential election as
only struggle tor the spoils OF office.
Perhaps close examins tion of the 'spois
would cause them 10 modify this opinion
We are now 65 5000, 900 of people and we
speak of the danger Of having 100000
oifice-holders under the national govern
ment. Quite true we have 100000 office
holders, but a vast number are paid under
81 900 each and more than four-tifths Of
the whole number under $4,000 each,
while the President does not have within
his power the appointment of 200 officers
with salaries exceeding $4,000 a year. ]
doubt, indeed, II lie has more than 100
Certainly 'spoils' cannot profoundly affect
the interest or call forth the efforts OF n
great people among whom opportunities
for business and for fortune are greater
than any other nation OF the world. II
was something far deeper than 'spoils' Of
Office that called the Republican strength
TO the polls-snd no question but that Of
protection could have done it. But, my
frIends, let us remember that wise mon
iiion OF the old man eloquent to he tri-
umphant moderately. Republicans have
always been more quiet in gaining vic
tory at the polls than in Boosting after il
has been secured, 1t is well that 1t is 30,
for victory would indeed be barren OF
good fruit and unworthy of respect if II
did not bring benefit to all people alike,
regardless Of geographical lines or party
divisions, We have as sharp rivalry as
Democrats or Republicans In the earnest
struggles OF the campaign, but when the
elect ION is over we remember that we are
united In .he enduring brotherhood of
American ilizenship-citizenship OF the
East and West, Of the North and South,
citizenship Of the great undivided individ
uai Republic"
This is as II should be and was origin
ally intended TO he, but ia II as it IS? Mr.,
Blaine had evidently not got the returns
at this date from Dudley's Bureau Of Sup
plies in Indiana, nor had he read the dis-
appointment OF Boss Sheppard In the N.
Y. Mail and Express over the failure Of
various contracts in New York to deliver
abont 10000. votes for General Harrison
for $3.50, 900. Mr.. Blaine ought to have
held this speech back from the public, for
revision, after the returns were all in, 30
that he might have given the whole truth
as TO the real rAllying cry that "brought
The full Republican strength 10 the polls.'
The list oil applicants, also, 10 come before
the new administration, will make neat
gilt-edged appendix TO Mr.. BlaIne's the
eretical alter campaign speech.
And, perhaps, if Mr.. Blame had given
a "closer examination" into the mInuiia
conduct oil the campaign, and mere Gina
eism" (which w. Scott defines in Webs
ter's unabridged MS "a morose contempt OF
the pleasures and afts OF life'') he certainly
would have been disposed 10 see proof oi
his speech before it went TO the press and
made II ft more closely the "situation,"
and "morose contempt Of the pleasures and
arts of liie-especially political life. In
the light OF subsequent events Mr.. Blaine
should be gwen another opportunity, in
an alter election speech, 10 correct the
"arls Of lile," and so much of the above
speech as IL comes 10 us through the Re
publican press. II isa mis6t all round ss
compared with the campaign just closed.
With "Twenly Years in Congress" Mr.,
Blaine, at hls age, can not afford TO 60 be-
fore America, and "Trip loo, with such a
Iseogi.