Omaha daily bee., 1892-10-24
BLAINE ON POLITICAL ISSUES
Extracts from His Letter in the Current
Issue Of the North American Review
HARRlsoNS uTTERANCES COMMENDED
Ills Letter of Acceptance Eavornbiy Re-
Observation-Disclosures Expressed Political
Thoughts Severely Criticized-some
Interesting Facts of Political
History Recalled.

NEw YoRK, Oct 23-Mr. Blaine's long
promised utterance on the presidential cleo
tion of 1872 will appear In tho November
number OF the North American Review,
which win be published tomorrow. 1t will
occupy thirteen pages Of the Review.
Mr. Blame notes the lack of excitement at
tending on tho present election, contrasting
1t with the turmoil That characterized the
campaign Of the elder Harrison. THIS change
III tho public interest in such contests he
suggests may be accounted for by the
growth in population and the consequent
absorption In vast commercial and financial
operations, or it may possibly indicate sub.
sidence in the future of extreme partisanshp.
Mr.. Blaine gives special attention to the
letters of the presidential candidates. OF
President Harrson's letter he says, among
other things, that "perhaps none of his pre-
ueccssors have made so exhaustive and none
more clear presentation of the questions
involved.'
Caustic Comments on Cleveiand's Letter.
Mr.. Cleveiand's letter Is subjected to
searching criticism. Mr.. Blame finds that
in greater measure than Mr.. Harrison's it
departs from the platform OF his party; in fact
that "NIr. Cleveland has made the platform
upon which he is now before the people,"
and that MIR. Cleveland's departure from
the position of his partys platform on the
question of free trade confirms the impress
sion, which has been general, that large
proportion Of the democratic party believed
in protection In somo form.'
Mr.. Blaine makes caustic comments upon
Mr. Cleveland's utterance on the currency
ana the state banks. He upholds the re-
publican policy OF granting lioeral pensions
to the veterans OF the war On thus point
he says: "The amount we contribute for
pensions is larger than the amount paid by
any Of the European nations for standing
army. Surely the binding up OF the
wounds Of past war Is moro merciful
and honorable work than preparing tho
country for new one"
Tho most remarkable thing in tho pres
,dental canvas of 1892. Mr. Blaine rerards
is "the manner in which in some sections of
the country all other issues have been put
out OF sight and the force bill alono brought
into prominence" The representation
made as to the purposes and the effect of
the force bill, however, he declares to be in
consistent with the spirit OF President Har
rlson's letter.
On the Subject OF Reciprocity.
Mr.. Blaine is full and explicit In his treat
ment of the subject of reciprocity, claiming
that material increase has been caused in
the United States trade by reciprocal treaties
with the islands ana countries Of America,
and particularly by the treaties made with
European countries. Mr.. Blaine quotes in
tcresting figures In relation to the increase
of trade with the Leeward and Windward
islanda aud Cuba, and he predicts in relation
to Cuba that 'we shall couQuer by commerce
far better than by force OF armed forces, and
cordially establish such mutual interests be-
tween Cuba and this country that CONNER
cially the TWO countries will be one."
Mr.. Blaine, dealing with the claim of the
democratic party to be the Jeffersonian party,
says: 'ls would surprise jefferson, IL he
could once more appear in the flesh, to learn
that he Is held as the source of all the meas.
ures advocated by the democratic party OF
today. 1t is perhaps not worth while tc
enter into any elaborate argument on the
subject, but the democracy owes no little ol
its success to the persistence with which Its
adherents have made their disciples believe
this pretension through all the mutations Il
hus had. 1t is equally truc 1t must be sup
posed, when MIR. Buchanan, confirmed
federalist, was the president-elect of the
democracy, though it is well known that til,
object of Mr. .efferson's most intense dis
ike was he federal party.
As the Head of the Republican Party.
''In vain it Is pointed out that the position
Of Jefferson on any subject was directly the
reverse Of the democratic position he is duly
quoted at the next convention and a new
oath OF allegiance is taken to his principles
n 1901, after severe contest, Jefferson
came TO the presidency MS the founder ant
head of tho repuo uolican party, The pref,
democratic was sometimes, though seldom
used. The tenacity with which jefferson
held to the protective principle was onl,
prOportioncd to the necessities of the couu
try. His action in 1907 when he declined t,
recommend the repeal or alteration OF th,
revenue law, after a surplus $4,000, 900 hal
been accumulated. puts him ir the sharpos
contrast 10 MIR. Cleveland who in his term o
Office treated the surplus accumulated as tn
sum Of all vilanies.n
In conclusion Mr.. Blaine calls attention t.
the essential agreement of the two partie
on the great majority OF issues. at is inle.
csting aud suge estlve," he says, Ito lool
over the platforms of the two parties au,
in I,rit
measures after the real aud oivisive issue
havo been stated. If parties woul
aim to discover ana define those subjects OF
which there is vital difference of opinlo
and would contiue discussion to those issues
IL would not only simplify tho contest and b
welcome relief TO the candidates bu