Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-10-24
BLAINE BREAKS sILENcR.

His Long Promised Utterance on the
Presidential Election-A Mastery
Criticism of the Positions of the
Two Parties-Weighingt the Cues
ions at Issue-SpecIal Attention
Given to the Letters of the Two
Candidates.
New YORK, Oct. 23.-Mr. Blaine's long
promised utterance ON the presidential
election of 1892 appears in the November
| number of the North American Review,
which will be published tomorrow. He
notes the lack of excitement attending the
presidential elections, contrasting 1t with
the turmoil of interest that characterized
the campaign of the elder Harrison. The
changed public interest in such contests,
he suggests, may be accounted for by the
growth in population and the consequent
absorption in vast commercial and finan-
cial operations, and 1t may possibly indi-
cate subsidence In the future of extreme
psrtisanship.
Mr.. Blaine gives special attention to the
letters of the candidates. Of President
Harrison's letter he says, among other
things: perhaps none of his predeces-
sors have made so exhaustive, and none a
more clear, presentation of the questions
involved"
Mr.. Cleveland's letter Is subjected to
searching criticism. Mr.. Blaine finds that
in greater measure than Mr.. Hsrrisou's IL
departs from the platform of his party; in
fact, that "Mr. Cleveland has made the
platform upon which he is now before the
people," and that "Mr. Cleveland's depart
ure from the position of his party's plat
form on the question of free trade confirms
the impression, which has been general,
that large proportion of the democratic
party believe in protection in some form"
Mr.. Blaine makes oaustic comment upon
Mr.. Cleveland's utteranoe on the currency
and the state banks. He upholds the re-
publican policy of granting liberal pensions
to the veterans of the war. On this point
he says: 'The amount we contribute for
pensions ia 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 more merciful and
honorable work than preparing the ooun-
try for q new one."
The most remarkable thing in the presi-
dental canvass of 1892 Mr.. Blaine regards
as"the manner in which in some sections of
the country all other issues have been put
out of sight. and the force bill alone
brought into prominence" and he compli-
ments Mr.. Dana, of the Sun, whom he
calls the author of this policy, on his zeal
and ability in achieving this result. The
representation made as to the purpose and
effect of the force bill, however,
with the spirit of President
Harrison's letter. Mr.. Blaine
is full and explicit in his treatment of the
cr1h nf ~, al, laS
material increase has been caused in the
United States trade by reciprocal treaties
with the islands and countries of America,
and particularly by the treaties made with
European countries. Mr.. Blaine quotes
interesting figures In relation to the in
crease of trade with the Leeward and
Windwsrd Islands and Cuba, and he pre-
diets in relation to Cuba that 1--WE shall
conquer by commerce far better than by
force of armies, and cordially establish
mutual interests between Cuba and this
country that commercially the two coun-
tries will be one."
Mr.. Blaine, dealing with the claim of the
democratic party to be tine Jefferson party,
declares that it would surprise Jefferson, If
he could once mole appear in the flesh, to
learn that he is held as indorser of all the
principles and measures advocated by the
democratic party of to day. In vain, be
remarks, ia it 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. Mr.. Blaine then says: 1.-THE
tenacity with which Jefferson held to the
protective principle was only pro-
portioned to the necessities of the country.
His action in 1907, when he declined to
recommend the repeal or alteration of the
revenue law after a surplus of fourteen
millions had been accumulated, puts him
in the sharpest contrast to Mr.. Cleveland,
who in his term of Office treated the sur
plus accumulated as the sum of all vii
lainies.
Mr.. Blaine calls attention to the essential
agreement of the two parties on the great
majority of Issues and says that if parties
would confne discussion to subjects on
which there is vital difference of opinion
it would simplify the contest, be welcome
rest to candidates and would greatly help
in arriving at the truth.