Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-10-24
Mr.. BLAINE
Treats of the Presidential Cam
paign Of 1892
In North American Reyiew---he i:
Caustic with Mr.. Cleveland
And Makes the Democrats Appear Ridiculous
Over Their leiersonian Claims.

| NEW YoRk. Oct. 93.-Mr. Biaine's long
| promised ur,eranee on the Presidential cleo
1 tion of 1899 appears in the November num-
/ Der of the North American Review 10 be
published tomorrow Monday. II occu-
| pies Is pages of the paper.
Mr. Blaine notes a lack of excitement at
tending the political elections, contrasting
it with the turmoil of interest that charae-
terizei the campaign of the elder Harrison
This change of public interest in such con-
contests, he suggests, may be accounted for
by the growth in population and the conse-
Quent absorption IN vast commercial and
financial operations, may possibly indicate
the subsistence in the future of extreme par
tisanship.
Mr.. Blaine gives special attention 10 the
letters of the Presidential candidates. of
President Harrisons letter he says, among
other things, perhaps none of his prede-
cessors has made so an exhaustive, none
more clear presentation of the questions
involved.
MIR. Cleyeland's letter is subjected to
searching criticism. Mr.. Blaine finds in
greater measure than MIR. ilarrison's, that
it departs from the platform of his party
IN fact, Mr.. Cleveland has made a plat
form upon which he is now before the peo-
pie Mr.. Clevelands departure from the
positions of his party's platform ON the
question of free trade confirms the impress
sion W which has been general that the large
proportion of the Democratic party be-
lieves in protection in some form
Mr.. Blaine makes caustic comment
upon Mr.. Cleyeland's utterances on the
currency and state banks. He upholds the
Republican policy of granting liberal pen
sions to the veterans of the war On this
point he says
The amount we contribute toward pen
sions is larger than the amount paid by any
of the European nations for a standing
army. Surely the binding up of the wounds
of the past war is more merciful and hon
orable work than preparing the country for
new one"
The most remarkable thing in the Presi-
dental canvass of 1892 Mr.. Blaine regards
as the Manner i'll which in some sections
of the country all other issues have been
put out of sight and the force bill brought
into prominence.
He compliments Mr.. Dana, of the New
York Sun, the author of this policy, on his
zeal and ability in reaching this end. The re-
presentations made as to the purpose and
effect of the force bill /" he declares to be
inconsistent with the spirit of President
HarrsOn's letter.
Mr. Blaine is full and explicit in his
treatment of the subject of reciprocity,
claiming that the material increase has been
caused in the United States trade by the
reciprocal treaties with the islands and
countries of America, particularly by the
treaties made with European countries.
Mr.. Blaine quotes interesting figures i'll
relation to increase of trade with the the
Leeward and Windward Islands and Cuba
and predicts in the relation to Cuba. ave
shall conquer by commerce far better than
by force of armies, and cordially establish
such mutual interests between Cuba and
this country that commercially the two
countries will be one
Mr.. Blaine dealing with the claim of the
Democratic party to be the Jeifersonian
party, says 1T would surprise jefferson,
if he could once more appear in the flesh,
to learn that he is held as the indorser of
all principles and measures advocated by
the Democratic party today. 1t is perhaps
not worth while to enter into any elaborate
argument on the subject, but the Dem
ocracy owes no little of its success to the
persistence with which its aiherents made
their disciples believe this pretension
through all mutations of their party.
1t was equally true it must be supposed,
when Mr.. Buchanan. confirmed Federal
ist. was President elect of the Democracy;
though it's well known the object of Mr..
.Jefferson's most intense dislike was the
Federal party. In vain it is pointed out
that the position of Jefferson on any sub
ject was directly the reverse of the Demo-
cratic position; he is duly quoted at the
next convention and new oath of ale
glance taken to his principles.
In 1901 after severe contest, jefferson
came to the Presidency as the founder and
head of the Republican party. The prefix
Democratic was some times, though seldom
used. The tenacity with which jefferson
held TO the protective principle was only
proportioned to the necessities of the coun-
try.
His action in 1907, when he declined 10
recommend the repeal or alteration of the
revenue law, after surplus of Sli 900. 900
had accumulated, puts him in the sharpest
contrast to Mr.. Cleveland, who, in his term
of Office, treated the surplus accumulated as
the sum of all villianies'
In conclusion Mr.. Blaine calls attention
to the essential agreement of the two parties
on the great majority of issues. at is in
teresting and suggestive" he says, "to look
over the platform of the two parties and see
how much alike they are in several vital
measures after the real and decisive issues
are stated. If the parties would aim to dis
cover and define those subjects on which
! there is a vital difference of opinion, it
would contine the discussion to those issues
and it would not only simplify the matter
and be a welcome relief to the candidates,
bu. would also greatly help in arriving at
the truth, which is the ultimate object of a
popular discussion and popular election.