The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1891-01-24
THE TWO MEN.


From the st. Joseph Ballot
The DRIFT of the popular feeling in
the two parties is 80 plainly towards
Cleveland on ona side, and Blaine
on the other, that one must ueeds shut
his eyes not TO see it. The republicans
have settled on Mr.. Blaine as their
candidate for 1892, simply because he
is the only uncrippled man in their
camp. On the democratic size, the
eyes of the masses are centering on
Mr.. Cleveland for very different
reason. He is not the only sound man
in the party, Tor all are sound. He is
not the only available nan-ior dozen
might be named only slightly less
available than he. But Mr.. Cleveland
identified himself with the policy OF
tariff reduction three years ago, and
recent events, showing how the people
think on the subject, indicate him as
the proper representative OF the cause
In the next contest. In the election OF
1883 he was beaten, and the north
eastern leaders of the triumphant party
made haste to proclaim that tariff re-
duction was beaten with him, and the
country was ready for still higher
duties; but the lesson they received last
November showed, III way that
cannot be misinierpreted, not only that
he people think with Mr.. Cleveland
on the subject, but that they will not
submit to any more trifling.
While the name of Cleveland stands
Tor tariff reduction, the friends of Blaine
will attempt to make his stand tol
reciprocity. But Mr.. Blaine knows he
cannot carry the country on that word
and he will not dare to attempt it
for reciprocitywith Peru and Patagonia
but not with Canada, is an inconsistent
cy that would iall to pieces before the
canvass were half over. Besides, il
the present condition of things, recip
rocity and the tariff run into ont
another at SO many points that ever
Mr.. Blame cannot separate them.
he should attempt to teiSS about recip
rocity the people would interrupt hin
| TO ask what he thinks about the tariff
| What is mis- opinion OF the Mckinley
bill? Would he have it repealed, OF
permit it TO stand? Is he in favor o
keeping the protective duties up to tht
war standard? Is he, like the
author of the Mckinley bill, so hostile
80 cheap clothing, cheap implements
cheap tools, cheap lumber, cheap salt
cheap blankets, cheap undershirts anC
cheap nccessaries of lite in genera
that he would add on an artificial extrs
price tor the benefit of the favored
manutacturer-and compel the people
TO pay it?
Mr. Cleveland can answer each anC
ail ot these questions without s
moments hesitalion-and Mr.. Blaine
will be expected to do so. too. ii,
may find them a little troublesome
For example, when he comes to thu
Mckinley bill-to say that he approvc
IT and would have it stand, un epcaleC
and unmodIiiGd, would be TO doiy III,
popular feeling which expressed Itsel
sith such startling emphasis in Novem
ber; and, on the other hand, to say iha
nc does not approve il, and II onght (,
be repealed or modified, would be t
repudiate the deliberate work ant
policy OF his party.
M exag Grafton OF the reci1rocit,
idea will force tariff reduction out q
he public nina. The people ar
thinking about the subject. aud, YER
naturally. they think of Cleveland slon,
with it--aud if Blaine is to b, tn
republican champion in the next con
test he may begin at once to Prepare
definition of his attitude on il.