Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-24
| BLAINE ON THE ELECTION
The Long Promised Utterance
at Last Forthcoming.
A Lengthy Article in the North
American Review.
He Notes the Lack of Excitement in
the Present Campaign.
Harrison's Letter OF Acceptance Conn
pared with CIeveIand's - Much
Space Devoted to His Own
Reciprocity Hobby.
By the Associated Press.

New YORK, Oct. 23.-Bleine's long
promised utterances on the presidential
election of 1892 appears in the November
number OF the North American Review.
which will be published tomorrow. 1t
occupies 13 pages. Blaine notes the
lack of excitement attending the present
elections, suggesting that the change
may be accounted for by the growth in
| population, and the consequent absorp-
tion in vast commercial and financial
operations, and that it may possibly
indicate the subsistence in the future of
extreme partisanship.
OF President Harrison's letter OF ac-
ceptance, he says, among other things
perhaps none of his predecessors made
go exhaustive, and none more clear
presentation of the question involved. :"
Cleveland's letter is subjected to a
searching criticism. Blaine finds that
in greater measure than Harrisonss it
departs from the party PLATFORM. In
fact, Cleveland made the platform
upon which he is now before the people,"
and "Cleveland's departures from the
positions of the party's platform on the
question of free trade confirms the i'm
preston which has been general, that
large proportion of the Democratic party
believe in protection of one form.'
Blaine makes caustic comment upon
Cleveland's utterance on currency and
state banks.
He npholds the Republican policy of
granting liberal pensions, saying: 1.-THE
amount we contribute for pensions is
larger than the amount paid by any of
the European nations for q standing
army. Surely binding up the wounds tf
war is more mercifui and honorable
work than preparing the country for a
new one."
The most remarkable thing in the can
vass of 1892 Blaine regards as the imam
ner in which, In some sections of the
country, all other issues are put out of
sight, and the force bill alone 10 brought
into prominence"
The representations made az to the
purpose and effect Of the force bill, he
declares to be inconsistent with the
spirit of Harrison's letter. x
Blaine is full and explicit in his treat
ment of the subject of reciprocity,
claiming that a material increase has
been caused in United States trade by
reciprocal treaties. He quotes interest
ing figures relating to the increase, and
predicts, regarding Cuba, that we shall
conquer by commerce far better than by
force of arms, and cordially establish
such mutual interests between Cuba and
this country, that commercially the
two countries will be one.
Blaine, dwelling upon the claim of the
Democratic party to be the Jeffersonian
party, said: 1T would surprise Jeffer-
son if he could once more appear in the
flesh AID learn that he is held az the en-
dorser OF all the principles and measures
advocated by the Democratic party to-
day. It is perhaps not worth while to
enter into an elaborate argument on the
subject. Democracy owes no little of it's
success to the persistence with which it's
adherents have made it's disciples be-
lieve this pretention through the muta-
tions of their party. In vain it is pointed
out that the position of Jefferson on
other subjects was directly the reverse
of the Democratic position; he is duly
quoted at the next convention, and
new oath of allegiance is taken to his
principles. In 1901, after severe con-
test, Jefferson came to the presidency as
the founder and head OF the Republican
party, though the prefix Democratic
was sometimes. but seldom, used. The
tenacity with which Jefferson held to
the protective principles was only proper
tionate to the necessities of the country.
His action in 1907, when he declined to
recommend an appeal or alteration of
the revenue law, after a surplus of
$l9 600, 600 was accumulated, put him
in the sharpest contrast to Cleveland,
who in his term of Office treated the
surplus accumulated as the sum of all
villanies.'
In conclusion, Blaine says: "It is in
teresting 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 decis-
i've iseues are stated. If the parties
would aim to discover and define the is-
sues on which there is vital difference
| of opinion, and would confine discus.
sion to them, it would not only simplify
the contest and be welcome relief to
the two candidates, but would also
greatly help in arriving at the truth,
which is the ultimate object of popular
| diacu Sainn and nOnr1or ola etion -