The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-24
BLAINE ON POLITICS.
He Reviews the Campaign OF
1892 and It's Issues.
HIS CRITICISM OF CLEVELAND.
Democrscy's Leader on His Own Plat
Deserted the Tenets Of It's Faith.

New YORK, Oct. 23.-Blaine's long-prom-
ised utterance on the presidential election
of 1892 appears in the November number
of the North American Reuietc, which Will
be published tomorrow. 1t occupies thir-
teen pages. Blaine notes the lack OF e1-
element attending the present elections,
suggesting that the change may be ac-
counted for by the growth in population
and consequent absorption of public atten-
ton IN vast commercial and financiai
operations, and it may possibly indicate
subsistence in future of extreme PARTISAN
ship. OF President Harrison's letter OF
acceptance, he says among other things:
perhaps none of his predecessors have
made so exhaustive and none more clear
presentations of the questions involved"
Clevelands letter is subjected to
searching criticism. Blaine lnds that
in a greater measure than Harrison's. 1t
departs from the party platform; in fact,
that Cleveland made the platform upon
which he is now before the peoples" and
further, that 'Cleveland's departures from
the position of the party's platform on
the question of free trade confirms the i'm
nression which has been general, that
large proportion of the Democratic party
Blaine makes a caustic comment upon
CIeveland's utterance on currency ana
state banks.
Blaine upholds the Republican policy OF
granting liberal pensions. saying: 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
the past war is more mereliui ana honor-
able work than preparing the country lor
new one"
The most remarkable thi ng in the presi-
dental canvass of 1892 Blaine regards as
the manner in which IN some sections OF
the country all other issues are pat out Oh
sight and the force bill alone brought into
prominence" The representations made
as to the purpose and effect OF the force
bill he declares to be inconsistent with
Harrison's letter. Blaine is full and e1-
plicit in his treatment OF the subject OF
reciprocity, claiming that material IN
crease was caused in United States trade
by the reciprocal treaties. He quotes IN
teresting figures relating to the increase,
and pred lets, regarding Cuba, that we shaii
CONQUER by commerce far better than by
force of arms. and cordially establish such
mutual interest between Cuba and this
country as commercially to make the two
countries one.
Blaine, dwelling upon the claims OF the
Democratic party to be Jeffersonlan
party, says:
Itwould surprise jefferson if he could once
more appear in flesh and learn that he is held as
an indorser OF all the principles and measures
advocated by the Democratic party OF To-Day.
Perhaps it is not worth while TO enter INTO an
elaborate argument on the subject, bur Democ-
racy owes no little of its success 10 the persist
ence with which its adherents have MADE lts
disciples believe this pretension through the
mutations OF their party. In vain 1t Is pointed
out that the position of Jefferson on other SUD-
iects is directly the reverse Of the Democratic
position. He is duly quoted at tho next con-
yention and New Yorks allegiance is taken
TO his principles. In 1901, after severe
contest. jefferson came to the presidency
as the founder and head OF the kepuoli-
can party, though the prefix was "Democrauc.
Sometimes, though seldom, 1t Is urged that the
tenacity with which Jeffersau held to the pro-
tective principle was only In proporuoh 10 tue
necessities of the country. His action in loo1,
when he declined to recommend the repeal or
alteration OF the revenue law, after a surplus OF
$4,000, 600 had accumulated, puts him IN the
sharpest contrast to Cleveland, who, in his term
OF Office treated the surplus accumulated as the
sum OF all villianies.
In conclusion Blaine says:
1t is interesting and suggestive to look over
the platforms OF the two parties and see now
much alike they are in several vital measures
after the real and decisive issues are stated. If
the parties would aim TO discover and define the
issues on which there is a vital difference OF
opinion, and would contne discussion to them,
il would not only simplify the contest and be a
welcome relief to the two candidates, but would
also greatly help in arriving at the truth, which
is the ultimate object of popular discussion and
nonular election.