The state capital., 1891-05-02
Harrison or Blaine?

The speech Of Ex-Governor Foraker O
Ohio at the meeting of the Republica
League Clubs held in Cincinnati las
week was mainly remarkable for tn
boom it gave James G. B aine as a Presi
Dental factor in '92. Whether intention
al or otherwise, Mr.. Foraker succeede,
IN making the 'plumed knight over
shadow his chief President Harrison
an the sentiment seemed from all ac
counts to have been echoed by the con
vention. If this be so we ask in all can
dor = Wherefore is it thus? Hon. j. S
Clarkson who was elected President o
the Republican League is quoted as fol
lows in an interview touching this Incl
dent; "President Harrison has made q
faithful executive in every public sense
and is lacking Only in the personal popu
larity which gives man the power o1
electricity in politics. He has demon
strated his qualities fully and his pure
intellectual ability is not second to any
Ame lean living to-day, not even to his
phenomenal Secretary Of State"
The CAPITAL holds views in strict ac-
cord with those Of Mr.. Clarkson and we
believe a mistake was made i'm booming
Mr.. Blaine in such manner that the
public would construe it into back
handed slap at President Harrison.
Speaking from racial S and point we
assert in all pOsitiveness that President
Harrison is far superior and much more
preferable for President than Secretary
Blaine. We have searched the records O1
both and taken note of their public ut
ferances and we have no hesitation in
saying that Mr.. Blaine's attitude upon
the questions affecting the rights of the
AfrO-American is highly unsatisfactory
while President Harrison has shown an
is demonstrating more fully every day
that he stands squarely upon that plank
in the Republican platform which de-
mands a free ballot and fair count and
the enactmen of laws to protect all citi-
zens in their rights of citizenship.
Immediately following his defeat for
President, Mr.. Blaine gave expression to
views upon the Southern question which
if sincere would entitle him to our re-
spect and hearty support, but nothing in
his previous record and no public utter
ance of his since. shows that his speech
at Augusta was not delivered to give
vent TO his feelings while smaI ting under
sense Of defeat accomplished by I'M
lawful means rather than from Geep con-
viction Of a great wrong which had to be
righted for the benefit of the people and
Of our government. His subsequent con-
d let indicates that he considers the
wrongs of the Negro in the South as a
IN alter of secondary consideration and if
nominated for the Presidency by the Re-
publican Convention he would no doubt
make his canvass on the question of Re
ciprocity and the Malta incident.
Well we wish to say that we believe in
tn It kind of reciprocity which will mete
o 1t punishment all over this land to the
laNless. whether the victim be white or
black, and we are more intel sted in pro-
tie tting The lives of native born American
ci jizens, no matter if they are black,
than we are III saving the indemnity de-
for the lives of aliens unlawfully
taken by Southern butchers.
On the other hand what has been the
record OF President Harrison? During
the campaign proceeding his election he
left no doubt as to how he felt about the
questions which so Yitally affect our race
and unlike so many men who make ante
election pledges he has proven by mis-
actions us President that he meant what
he said and that he has the courage to
stand By his convictions
lt is not his fault that the Federal cleo
tiOn bill did not become a law. He did
all in his power to secure its passage and
even after its defeat when it is almost
beyond the possibilities for the passage
of such a bill during his present term he
does not hesitate to declarc his >werv-
ing ii ielity TO the rinciple upon which
it is founded. | , his tour through the
Southern States and while partaking Of
their hospitality he enunciates plainly
and without evasion his hearty cOnd m
nat on of their subv. rsion of the spirit
and letter of our Ma ional constitution
and his firm belief in the principle that
all men are equal before the law
For these reasons we ask Why should
Secretary Blaine be exalted and Presi-
dent Harrison belittled?
1t has been too long the custom of the
to wait until after the
and elections to protest
against the elevation of particular indi-
riduals. We believe this to be unvise,
we are in the main. Republicans and
when a Republican who is Objectionable
TO us is mentioned for nomination for a
ocal, State or National position we
should state our objections and attempt
20 prevent his nomination. Then should
ne be nominated over our proeest and be
defeated through the loss of the support
Of the colored voters, the Republican
party will have no one to blame but it.
self
Proceeding upon this theory the Capt. !
al will not hesitate to oppose for nomi-
lation those Republicans whose records |
10 not show them to be friendly to our
ace and we warn Republican leaders |
hat there are thousands of Negroes in |
his State and all other States VINO feel |
Is we do and whose opposition might |
extend beyond the nominating Conven-
ions should their protests be disregai ded.
We shall discuss other nominations at |
ome future date, but upon the question
# the Presidency as between Harrison |
md Blaine, by all means give us Harri-
on.