The record-union., 1892-10-24
Special to the REooRp-USIoN !.

New York, Oct. 23.-Blaine's long
promised utterance on the Presidential
election of 1892 appears in the November
number of the North american Revie,0,
which will be published tomorrow. 1t
occupies thirteen pages. Blaine notes
the lack of excitement attending the
present election, suggesting that the
change may be accounted for by the
growth in population and consequent
absorption III vast Commercial and finan-
cial operations, and it may possibly indi-
cate a subsistence in future of extreme
partisanship.
OF President Harrison's letter of ac-
ceptance. he says among other things ::
perhaps none of his predecessors made
so exhaustive and none more clear pre-
sentation of the question involved" !"
Cleveland's letter is subject to a search
ing criticism. Blaine finds that in a
greater measure than Harrison's it de-
parts from the party platform; in fact,
Cleveland made the platform upon
which he is now before the people, and
"Cleveland's departures from the posi-
ton of the party platform on the ques-
ton OF free trade confirms the impress
sion, which has been general, that a large
proportion of the Democratic party be-
lieve in protection of some form.'
Blaine makes caustic comment upon
Cleveland's utterance on the currency
and State banks. He upholds the Re-
publican policy of granting liberal PEN
sions, saying: "Tbe amount we con-
tribute for pensions is larger than the
amount paid by any of the European
nations Tor standing army. Surely
binding up the wounds of the past war is
q nj nd hnt II vi
than preparing the country for a new
one"
The most remarkable thing in the
Presidential canvass of 1892, Blaine re-
CARDS as ''the manner in which, in some
sections of the country, all other issues
are put out of 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 the spirit of Harri-
sons letter.
Blaine is full and explicit in his treat
ment OF the subject of reciprocity, claim
ing material increase was caused in
the United States trade by reciprocal
trades. He quoted interesting figures
relating to this increase, and predicts, re-
garding Cuba, that we shall conquer by
commerce far better than by force of
arms, and will cordially establish such
mutual interests between Cuba and this
country that commercially the two coun-
tries will be one.
Blaine, dwelling upon the claim of the
Democratic party to be a Jeffersonian
party, says: 1T would surprise Jeffer-
son if he could once more appear in the
flesh and learn that he is held as the in
dorser 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
lan
of its success to the persistency with
which its adherents have made its disci-
pies believe this pretension through the
mutations of their party. In vain it is
pointed out that the position of Jefferson
on other subjects was directly the re-
verse of the Democratic position; he is
duly quoted at the next convention. and
New York allegiance taken to his princi-
pies. In 1901, after a severe contest,
Jefferson came to the Presidency as the
founder and head of the Republican
party, though the prefix "Democraticv
was, sometimes, but seldom used. The
tenacity with which Jefferson held to the
protective principle was only in proper
ton to the necessities of the country.
His action in 1907 when he declined to
recommend the repeal or alteration of
the revenue law after surplus of four
teen millions had accum ulated, puts him
in the sharpest contrast to Cleveland, who.
in his term OF office, treated the surplus
accumulated as the sum of all villainies.
In conclusion Blaine says: 1T is inter
esting and suggestive to look over the
platforms of the two parties and see how
much alike they are in several vital
measures, after the real and decisive
issues are stated. If parties would aim
TO discover and define the issues on
which there is vital difference of opinion.
and would contine discussion to them. it
would not only simplify the contest and
be welcome relief to the two candi-
dates, but would also greatly help in ar
irving at the truth, which is the ultimate
object of popular discussion and popular
election"