Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-06-14
Blaine, Standard Bearer.

which Mr.. Blaine was one of the prin-
cipal candidates, nominated him for
the presidency and John a. Logan of
Illinois for the vice presidency. The
Democrats named Grover Cleveland of
New York and Thomas a. Hendricks
Of Indiana. The ensuing campaign
was perhaps the most bitter in the his
tory of the country, Everything that |
fertile imaginations could suggest was
mentioned as fact by the Democrats
against Mr.. Blaine. Treachery among
small and disgruntled leaders, coupled
with several plumbers on the part Of
men purporting to be Republicans,
brought about the defeat Of the
"Plumed Knight from Maine. New
York was the pivotal state, and so
close was the result that matter of
some COO votes reversed there would
have elected Blaine.
1t was inevitable that the Democrats
should again put forward the only man
they had succeeded in electing in more
than a quarter of century. Cleveland
was nominated in 1885, with Allen G.
Thurman of Ohio as his running mate.
1t was necessary that the Republican
party should nominate Its strongest
men, and the national convention more
than fulfilled the expectations Of the
masses of the party when 1t selected as
its standard bearers Benjamin Harri-
son of Indiana and Ex-Governor Levi
p. Morton Of New York. The Repub-
| lican party once more returned to pow
er, and the country was relieved, for
it was apparent that we had entered
upon period of great industrial de-
preston, and the Democrats We're not
wanted at the helm of state at such
a time. Mr.. Harrison's administration
was an exemplary one, and he was re-
nominated, with Whitelaw Reid Of
New York as his running mate. Again
Cleveland was the Democratic cnndi-
date, and, despite the fact that the Re-
publicans gained strength in many dis
tricts in which the more intelligent
classes predominated, the residents Of
the congested cities. who had been suf-
fering from the effects of the Demo-
cratic policy inaugurated during the
first Cleveland administration, wildly
and blindly voted for change, with
the result that Mr.. Harrison WAS de-
feated.
MeKinley's Election.
/ The country, however, soon saw its
mistake. Long before the end Of the
second Cleveland administration it was
recognized that If we were ever again
to have good times there must be Re-
publican at the head Of affairs, Re-
publican who would not temporize
when Republican principles We're in
volved. In 1896 William Mckinley Of
Ohio was nominated for president,
with Carrot A, Hobart Of New Jersey
for vice president. The Democratic
candidates were William ]. Bryan Of
Nebraska and Arthur Sewall of Maine.
The Democratic platform declared for
the unlimited coinage of silver. After
whirlwind campaign Mckinley was
elected. The Republican party Lad
saved the country from unsafe money
and impaired national credit.
The good times long promised by the
Republicans and ridiculed by the Dem
ocrats as impossible under then exist
ing conditions soon materialiZed, and
, the country enjoyed an era of prosper
ity such as it had not known for dec
AIDES. The campaign four years later
: $1,000, in which Mckinley was again
. opposed by Bryan, demonstrated that
7 the people appreciated what the party
8 had done for them, for Mckinley was
: reelected by enormously increased ma.
: jorities, and several states which in the
9 campaign Of 1896 had wandered from
: the Republican fold returned to their
allegiance.
e Death of Mckinley.
). The tragic death OF President Nc
/ Kinley at the hands of an assassin al
e the Pan-American exposition at Buf
L falo and the succeeding administra
ton Of President Roosevelt are mat
r tiers Of too recent occurrence to requir,
e attention here. Suffice it to say tina
d down to the present moment the tradi
Il tons of the Republican party hive al
= ways found safe conservators in The
G White House as well as in boil
branches Of congress. Today it stands
for living issues, just as it stood fol
them in 1860 and in 1896. 1t Is a party
: of ideas, not party of negation; Of
g helpfulness, not of resistance; Of broat
u views, not of narrow prejudiees.
. This is the sort Of political organiza
/ ton into the care of which, with thu
q exception Of two terms, the people o.
$ the United States have seen fit to in
e trust their interests for the last forty
I three years. 1t is the party which
n they are certain to continue to trus
q for many years to come, for it stand
{. for no trust betrayed, no promise bro
7 ken. And Of how many political par
/ ties can the same statement be truth
fully made?
ALBA.
+ Abba, June 11-Rev. II. S. Achlso
/ and wife are attending the commence