The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-06-01

are naturally anxious to cover their
own weakness by fomenting discord in
the ranks of the republicans. There is
no division among republicans in mat
tiers of principle. On every political
question the party is in hearty accord.
The only hope of discord is in personal
difference and in egging on personal
quarrels. So the democrats are hurl-
ing firebrands among the combustible
materials in the republican camp, and
certain incendiary occupants of the
camp seem to be in collision with the
enemy.
February 6, Mr.. Blaine wrote the
chairman of the national republican
committee: " / am not candidate for
the presidency and my name will not
go before the republican national con-
vention for the nomination. / make
this announcement in due season."
There was nothing equivocal about this
language. 1t was accepted as conclu-
sive of the matter of Mr.. Blaine's candi-
dacy. By common consent President
Harrison came forward as the accepted
and acknowledged candidate of the re-
publican party. Conventions for the
choice of delegates have been held.
In several states the delegates have
been instructed to vote for the renom-
ination of the president. In all the
states his administration has been en-
phatically and unreservedly endorsed.
The New York convention declared
that Ibis administration had most sa-
gaciously, courageously and conscien-
tiously followed out the principles and
fulfilled the pledges upon which it was
elected. In every department the
highest qualities of craftsmanship have
been exhibited, commanding respect
and confidence at home and winning
new glories for the republic abroad"
There was nothing perfunctory in this
language. 1t was honest and true.
Now, after taking himself out of the
canvass, and doing it in educ season."
after the states have without exception
and without qualification commended
an administration that is worthy of the
highest praise that has been given it,
certain men in the republican party,
aided and abetted by the democrats,
seek to bring Mr.. Blaine into the can
vass for the nomination to the presi-
dency. The real leaders of the party,
the party itself, sees that this would be
fatal course to pursue. 1t would put
the stamp Of insincerity on Mr.. Blaine's
declaration; it would put the stamp of
insincerity on the declarations of the
states respecting President Harrison's
administration. In politics, as in every
thing else, the straightforward course
is the safest course. Between the lines
of the two parties is a great body of
voters, for the most part reading, think.
ing men, who "carry their sovereignty
under their own hats" The votes of
these men will decide the result of the
OlcCIlOu' w nav WOuiu Uc Iuc eutCt
upon this body of men of line of
action so insincere, so uncandid as
Plat and his confederates, helped on
by the democrats, are seeking to COM
pei or persuade the Minneapolis con-
vention to follow? The democrats will
hold their convention two weeks after
the republican convention. They will
be in position to take advantage of
any mistakes the republicans may make.
Suppose the democrats should nominate
Cleveland. On which side would the
great body of the Independents be
found? Under all the circumstances
attending Mr.. Blaine's nomination,
what would be the prospect of a re-
publican victory in November? Can
there be but one answer to these ques-
tons?
These considerations derive added
force and gravity from the fact that all
this belated cutlery against the presi-
dent is born of personal disappoint-
ments, OF grievances growing out OF
the distribution of official patronage.
The administration, for ability, vigor,
brilliancy, unblemished honor, pros
perity accruing to the country-from
whatever point it is approached-is I'M
assailable and unimpeachable. The
way to secure success is to deserve it,
and the way to deserve it is to renomi-
nate the man who has given the coun-
try an administration that will of itself
be the party's best and strongest cam
paign argument.
The men who are responsible for this
Blaine racket are not his real friends.
He cannot be ain it," If honor and
reason do not " in due season return
to these intriguing malcontents, Mr..
Blaine must say to them, as he said in
1888: eff should now by speech OF