Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-24
MIR. RLAINE's VIEWS.
His Long-Awsited Expressions on the
Presidential Contest

Presidential Contest.
Mr.. Blaiue's iong-promised utterance on the
presidential election Of 1892 appears in the
November number OF the North American Re.
ristc, which will be published today.
Wy. Blaine notes the lack of excitement at
tending the present election, contrasting IL with
the turmoil Of interest that characterized the
campaign Of the elder Harrison. This change
IN the public interest in such contests he s9g-
gests, NAV be accounted for by the growth in
population and the consequent absorption in
vast commercial and financial operations, and
10 NAV possibly indicate . subsistence in the
future Of extreme partisanship.
Mr. Blaine gives special attention 10 the
letters Of the presidential candidates. OF Presi-
dent HsrrisCn's letter he SAYS, among other
things. that perhaps none Of his predecessors
has made so exhaustive, and none a more clear
presentation of the questions involved"
Nj. Cieveland's letter IL subjected to search
ing criticism. Mr.. Blaine SAYS that in greater
measure than Mr.. Hlrrisou's 1t departs from the
platform Of HIS party; in fact that Mr.. Cleve-
land has made the platform upon which he is
nov before the people, and that "Mr. Cleye-
lands departures from the positions Of his
party's platform the question OF free trade
confirms The impression which has been general
that a large proportion of the democratic party
believes in protection IN some form"
Mr. Elaine makes caustic comment on Mr.
Cleveland utterance the currency and the
state banks.
fe uphoids the republican policy of granting
liberal pensions to the veterans OF the war. On
this point be saws. The amount we contribute
for pensions IL larger than the amount paid by
any OF the European nations for u standing
army. Surely the binding no Of the wounds Of
past war is more merciful and honorable work
than preparing the country for a new one ="
The most remarkable thing in the presidential
canvass Of 1892 Mr.. Blame regards is the man
ner IN which in some sections of the country
all other issues have been put ont
Of sight and the force bill alone brought into
prominence. And he compliments Mr.. Dana
OF the New York sun, whom he calls the author
Of this policy on his zeal and ability in achiev-
ing this result. The representation made as to
the purpose and the effect Of the force BILL
however, he declares TO be Inconsistent with
the spirit Of President Harrison's letter.
Mr. Blaine is full and explicit in his treat
ment of the subject Of reciprocity, claiming
that material Increase has been caused in the
Jnitei States trade by reciprocal treaties with
the islands and countries Of America and par
nculariy by the treaties made with European
COMMITTEES. Mr.. Blaine quotes interesting fig
ures IN relation 20 the increase of trade with
tho Ieeward and Wind ward islands and Cuba,
aud he predicts in relation To- Cuba that ave
--H,I conquer by commerce far better than by
force 81 arms, aud CorIlallv establish such NIL
that commercially the two countries will be
one
Nr Blaine dealing with the claim of the
democratic party To - the Jcfersonian party
SAYS: 1t would surprise jefferson. if he could
once more appear IA the tesh. to learn that he
J. held a. IudoT-er Of all the principles and
measures advocated BY the democratic party OF
TODAY, II Is perhaps not worth while TO enter
into any elaborate argUmenton the subject, but
the deEnocracv owes no little OF its success to
the persistence with which Its adherents have
made their disciples believe this pre,ension
through al the mutations of their party. 1t
was equally true, 1t must be supposed,
whom Mr.. Buchanan. confirmed
federalist. the President-elect Of the
democracy, though it is well known
that the object of Mr.. jefferson most intense
dislike was the federal party. In vain is it
pointed out that the position of jefferson on
any subject was directly the reverse of the DEM
Ocratlc position: he is duly quoted at the next
convention and "A new oath OF allegiance is taken
To- his principles. In 1901. after a severe con-
test, Jefferson came 70 the presidency as the
founder and head Of the republican party
he prefix democratic WAS sometimes. though
seldom. used. The ienacity with which Jeffer-
son held to the protective principle was only
prOporttoned tn the necessities of the country.
His action in ls07. when he declined to recon-
mend the repeal or alteration of the revenue
law afters surplus Of S1i 900. 900 had been accQ-
INFLATED. puts him in the sharpest contrast to
Mr.. Cleveland. who in his term of Office treated
the surplus accumulation as the sum of all vii
laiuies"
In conclusion Mr.. Blaine calls attention to the
essential agreement of the two parties on the
great ma ority OF issues. 1T is interesting and
suggestive. he says, ito look over the plat
forms Of the two parties and see how much
alike they are in several vital measures after
the real and decisive issues have been stated.
IF parties would aim To discover and define
those subjects on which there is vital differ
euce of opinion and would confne discussion to
those issues IL would not only simplify the con-
test and be a welcome relief 10 the candidates,
bat would also greatly help in arriving at the
truth. which l. the ultimate object of popular
discussion and popular election"