The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-19
EDMUNDS TALKS POLITICS.
Confident of President Harrison's Re-
election.

NEW YORK, October 1S.-The Worlds
correspondent at Aix-les-Bains sends an
account of an interview he has had with
ex-senator Edmunds. In answer to the
question, "What is the most vital ques-
ton confronting the people of the United
States?'' Mr.. Edmunds replied: ''The
immigration problem. The period has
been reached when action must be taken
to prevent the hordes of Europeans who
flock to America from landing on our
shores. According to the prevailing sys-
tenn the class of people whom European
nations do not require have been shipped
over seas to New York. These aliens do
not readily assimilate with American
ideas and customs, although, it may be
said, they acquire our vices more readily
than our virtues. They constitute dis
tinct nationalities, with their own home
preiudices, superstitions, personal hab-
its, and mode of life. at the same time
enjoying all the privileges of American
citizenship, acquired in a brief period.
You and / served our twenty-one years
apprenticeship before we obtained those
rights, during which time we were edu-
Gated to an understanding of the princi-
pies of arepublican form of government
We should welcome however the, hon
est immigrant who leaves his home in
overcrowded Europe to improve his con
dition, and to become identified with the
land of his adoption.
''There has been good beginning ac-
complished by the indirect means of the
cholera. was pleased with the action
of President Harrison, and only wish
that the restriction now laid may be per-
manent after the fears of pestilence have
o1a hn al Of +ba 10
as it exists, according to the principles of
its founders, hinges on a cessation of the
abnormal influx of undesirable immi-
grants.
Mr. Edmunds does not think there are
any legal constitutional barriers in the
way of legislation to prevent immigra-
tion.
The ex-senator was asked what he
thought the outlook for next November
was, and replied 1.-THE country has re-
ceived the political platforms and the
addresses of the candidates for the pres
idency, and the merits of the respective
party claims have been OF are being
weighed. The necessity for the mainte
nance Of the protective system is SO OBJ
vious that the weight of sentiment and
practical influence will be thrown in its
favor. The substantial elements will
SonoIdlly support euo POI " uiitou Will
give the best return. The disinter-
ested, intelligent sentiment, whether it
be that of the banker, merchant, trader,
mechanic, or workingman, demands the
protective system, and corruptly OBJ
tanned majarities in great centres of pop
ulation will not prevail against it. | an
ticipate the reelection of President Har-
rison for this reason.
1.-THE Democratic party will swallow
almost anything to obtain ascendency
again. But Mr.. Cleveland in his finan-
cial views is not supported by a majority
of the Democracy. A majority voted
for the free silver scheme in the last
Congress, and Mr.. Cleveland, we are led
to suppose, will oppose this. His mod
GRAFTON on the tariff question is antagon-
istic to the wishes of a powerful contin-
gent of his party also. Could he resist
the pressure that would weigh on him
tremendously in event of election? This
is a question that voters must ask them
selves if they are wavering.''