BLAINE.
"We seek the conquests of peace. We desire to extend our commerce and
in a special degree with our friends and neighbors on this continent.
We have not improved our relations with Spanish America as wisely and
as persistently as we might have done. For more than a generation the
sympathy of these countries has been allowed to drift away from us. We
should now make every effort to gain their friendship."
_James G. Blaine_, 1884.
When the eighth Republican National Convention assembled at Chicago on
Tuesday, June 3, 1884, it was to consider a situation that had never
before been presented to a Republican convention. A Republican
President, who had gained the office because of the assassination of his
predecessor, was before the convention asking for the strongest
endorsement of his administration. Only two Republican Presidents had up
to this time been candidates for a second term. In the convention of
1864 Mr. Lincoln had no opposition for his second term, and the same was
true of General Grant in the convention of 1872. Mr. Hayes was not a
candidate for re-election in 1880, and the result, as we have seen, was
the Garfield "miracle" in that convention, and now Mr. Garfield's
successor was before this convention with a strongly organized backing,
mainly from the South, seeking the nomination. But opposed to him was an
overwhelming sentiment in favor of Mr. Blaine, whose nomination had been
prevented in 1880 by the opposition of the Grant leaders. A dangerous
element in this convention was present in the Independent Republicans,
who had united on George F. Edmunds as their candidate for President.
The convention was called to order by Dwight M. Sabin, of Minnesota,
Chairman of the National Committee. Mr. Lodge moved to substitute John
R. Lynch, colored, of Mississippi, as temporary Chairman in place of
Powell Clayton, who had been selected by the National Committee, and
after considerable debate, in which Theodore Roosevelt, of New York,
spoke in favor of the motion to substitute, Mr. Lynch was elected
temporary Chairman by 431 votes to 387 for Mr. Clayton. The remainder of
the day was consumed in the appointment of vice-presidents and
secretaries and the various committees. Wednesday morning a resolution
was introduced similar to that of 1880, that every member of the
convention was bound in honor to support the nominee, but this
resolution was subsequently withdrawn. John B. Henderson, of Missouri,
was reported as permanent Chairman, miscellaneous business consumed some
time, and the convention adjourned to meet at 7:30 p. m. The Committee
on Credentials not being ready to report, the evening was given over to
speech making. On Thursday morning the convention heard the report of
the Committee on Credentials, and concurred in it, and also on the
report of the Committee on Rules. William McKinley, of Ohio, Chairman of
the Committee on Resolutions, reported the platform, and it was adopted
without amendment.
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM, 1884.
The Republicans of the United States, in national convention assembled,
renew their allegiance to the principles upon which they have triumphed
in six successive presidential elections, and congratulate the American
people on the attainment of so many results in legislation and
administration, by which the Republican party has, after saving the
Union, done so much to render its institutions just, equal, and
beneficent, the safe-guard of liberty and the embodiment of the best
thought and highest purpose of our citizens.
The Republican Party has gained its strength by quick and faithful
response to the demands of the people for the freedom and equality of
all men; for a united nation, assuring the rights of all citizens; for
the elevation of labor; for an honest currency; for purity in
legislation, and for integrity and accountability in all departments of
the government, and it accepts anew the duty of leading in the work of
progress and reform.
We lament the death of President Garfield, whose sound statesmanship,
long conspicuous in Congress, gave promise of a strong and successful
administration--a promise fully realized during the short period of his
office as President of the United States. His distinguished services in
war and peace have endeared him to the hearts of the American people.
In the administration of President Arthur we recognize a wise,
conservative, and patriotic policy, under which the country has been
blessed with remarkable prosperity, and we believe his eminent services
are entitled to and will receive the hearty approval of every citizen.
It is the first duty of a good government to protect the rights and
promote the interests of its own people.
The largest diversity of industry is most productive of general
prosperity, and of the comfort and independence of the people.
We therefore demand that the imposition of duties on foreign imports
shall be made, "not for revenue only," but that in raising the requisite
revenues for the government such duties shall be so levied as to afford
security to our diversified industries and protection to the rights and
wages of the laborer, to the end that active and intelligent labor, as
well as capital, may have its just reward, and the laboring man his full
share in the national prosperity.
Against the so-called economic system of the Democratic party, which
would degrade our labor to the foreign standard, we enter our earnest
protest.
The Democratic Party has failed completely to relieve the people of the
burden of unnecessary taxation, by a wise reduction of the surplus.
The Republican Party pledges itself to correct the inequalities of the
tariff and to reduce the surplus, not by the vicious and indiscriminate
process of horizontal reduction, but by such methods as will relieve the
tax-payer without injuring the laborer or the great productive interests
of the country.
We recognize the importance of sheep husbandry in the United States, the
serious depression which it is now experiencing, and the danger
threatening its future prosperity; and we therefore respect the demands
of the representatives of this important agricultural interest for a
readjustment of duties upon foreign wool, in order that such industry
shall have full and adequate protection.
We have always recommended the best money known to the civilized world;
and we urge that efforts should be made to unite all commercial nations
in the establishment of an international standard, which shall fix for
all the relative value of gold and silver coinage.
The regulation of commerce with foreign nations and between the states
is one of the most important prerogatives of the general government; and
the Republican Party distinctly announces its purpose to support such
legislation as will fully and efficiently carry out the constitutional
power of Congress over interstate commerce.
The principle of public regulation of railway corporations is a wise and
salutary one for the protection of all classes of the people; and we
favor legislation that shall prevent unjust discrimination and excessive
charges for transportation, and that shall secure to the people and the
railways alike the fair and equal protection of the laws.
We favor the establishment of a national bureau of labor; the
enforcement of the eight-hour law; a wise and judicious system of
general legislation by adequate appropriation from the national
revenues, wherever the same is needed. We believe that everywhere the
protection to a citizen of American birth must be secured to citizens by
American adoption; and we favor the settlement of national differences
by international arbitration.
[Illustration: James G. Blaine.]
The Republican Party having its birth in a hatred of slave labor and a
desire that all men may be true and equal, is unalterably opposed to
placing our workingmen in competition with any form of servile labor,
whether at home or abroad. In this spirit spirit we denounce the
importation of contract labor, whether from Europe or Asia, as an
offense against the spirit of American institutions; and we pledge
ourselves to sustain the present law restricting Chinese immigration,
and to provide such further legislation as is necessary to carry out its
purposes.
Reform of the civil service, auspiciously begun under Republican
administration, should be completed by the further extension of the
reform system, already established by law, to all the grades of the
service to which it is applicable. The spirit and purpose of the reform
should be observed in all executive appointments, and all laws at
variance with the objects of existing reform legislation should be
repealed, to the end that the dangers of free institutions which lurk in
the power of official patronage may be wisely and effectively avoided.
The public lands are a heritage of the people of the United States, and
should be reserved as far as possible for small holdings by actual
settlers. We are opposed to the acquisition of large tracts of these
lands by corporations or individuals, especially where such holdings are
in the hands of non-residents or aliens, and we will endeavor to obtain
such legislation as will tend to correct this evil. We demand of
Congress the speedy forfeiture of all land grants which have lapsed by
reason of non-compliance with acts of incorporation, in all cases where
there has been no attempt in good faith to perform the conditions of
such grants.
The grateful thanks of the American people are due to the Union soldiers
and sailors of the late war; and the Republican Party stands pledged to
suitable pensions for all who were disabled, and for the widows and
orphans of those who died in the war. The Republican Party also pledges
itself to the repeal of the limitations contained in the Arrears Act of
1879, so that all invalid soldiers shall share alike, and their pensions
begin with the date of disability or discharge, and not with the date of
application.
The Republican Party favors a policy which shall keep us from entangling
alliances with foreign nations, and which gives us the right to expect
that foreign nations shall refrain from meddling in American affairs--a
policy which seeks peace and trade with all powers, but especially with
those of the Western Hemisphere.
We demand the restoration of our navy to its old-time strength and
efficiency, that it may in any sea protect the rights of American
citizens and the interests of American commerce; and we call upon
Congress to remove the burdens under which American shipping has been
depressed; so that it may again be true that we have a commerce which
leaves no sea unexplored, and a navy which takes no law from superior
force.
_Resolved_, That appointments by the President to offices in the
territories should be made from the bona fide citizens and residents of
the territories wherein they are to serve.
_Resolved_, That it is the duty of Congress to enact such laws as shall
promptly and effectually suppress the system of polygamy within our
territories, and divorce the political from the ecclesiastical power of
the so-called Mormon Church; and that the laws so enacted should be
rigidly enforced by the civil authorities, if possible, and by the
military, if need be.
The people of the United States, in their organized capacity, constitute
a nation, and not an American federacy of states. The national
government is supreme within the sphere of its national duties; but the
states have reserved rights which should be faithfully maintained. Each
should be guarded with jealous care, so that the harmony of our system
of government may be preserved and the Union kept inviolate.
The perpetuity of our institutions rests upon the maintenance of a free
ballot, an honest count and correct returns. We denounce the fraud and
violence practiced by the Democracy in Southern States, by which the
will of a voter is defeated, as dangerous to the preservation of free
institutions; and we solemnly arraign the Democratic party as being the
guilty recipient of the fruits of such fraud and violence.
We extend to the Republicans of the South, regardless of their former
party affiliations, our cordial sympathy, and pledge to them our most
earnest efforts to promote the passage of such legislation as will
secure to every citizen, of whatever race and color, the full and
complete recognition, possession, and exercise of all civil and
political rights.
The candidates were presented on Thursday evening. A. H. Brandagee
presented Jos. R. Hawley, of Connecticut; Shelby M. Cullom presented the
name of John A. Logan, of Illinois; Judge Wm. H. West, the blind orator
of Ohio, nominated James G. Blaine amid scenes of great enthusiasm, and
the nomination was seconded by Cushman K. Davis, William C. Goodloe,
Thomas C. Platt and Galusha A. Grow; Martin I. Townsend placed Chester
A. Arthur in nomination and was seconded by H. H. Bingham, John R.
Lynch, Patrick H. Winston and P. B. S. Pinchback; J. B. Foraker
nominated John Sherman, of Ohio, and John D. Long presented the name of
George F. Edmunds, of Vermont. This closed the list of nominations. The
convention adjourned about two o'clock Friday morning. On assembling
about 11:30 a. m. the convention proceeded at once to balloting. Four
ballots were taken and Mr. Blaine gained steadily on each ballot. At the
end of the third ballot the opposition forces endeavored to secure an
adjournment without success, and then J. B. Foraker, of Ohio, moved to
suspend the rules and nominate Mr. Blaine by acclamation, but to save
time the motion was withdrawn and the balloting proceeded. Shelby M.
Cullom attempted to read a telegram from John A. Logan, withdrawing in
favor of Mr. Blaine, but was prevented by the administration party. The
ballots were as follows, with 820 delegates present:
1st 2d 3d 4th
Ballot. Ballot. Ballot. Ballot.
Blaine ............ 334-1/2 349 375 541
Arthur ............ 278 276 274 207
Edmunds ........... 93 85 69 41
Logan ............. 63-1/2 61 53 7
Sherman ........... 30 28 25
Hawley ............ 13 13 13 15
Lincoln ........... 4 4 8 2
W. T. Sherman ..... 2 2 2
After the tumult had subsided, H. G. Burleigh, of New York, moved, in
behalf of President Arthur, and at his request, that the nomination be
made unanimous, which was done with tremendous cheers. At the evening
session Preston B. Plumb, of Kansas, nominated John A. Logan for
Vice-President. An effort was made to make it unanimous, but as there
were a few dissenting voices to this, a ballot was taken, showing 779
votes for Logan, six for Gresham, and six for Foraker. Blaine, "The
Plumed Knight" of Maine, and Logan, "The Black Eagle" of Illinois, made
a ticket well calculated to create tremendous enthusiasm throughout the
country.
James G. Blaine was born at West Brownsville, Pa., January 31, 1830, and
after graduating from college became a teacher, and in 1854 settled at
Augusta, Maine, and took the editorship of a newspaper and soon became
prominent. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1858, and became
Chairman of the Republican State Committee; he entered Congress in 1863
from Maine, made a brilliant reputation and became the party leader in
the House; was Speaker of the House three terms, from 1869 to 1875;
served in the United States Senate from 1876 to 1881. In 1876 he was a
prominent candidate for the nomination, as also in 1880. After the
election of Mr. Garfield he was Secretary of State, but resigned shortly
after President Arthur's accession.
The National Anti-Monopoly Convention was held at Chicago on May 14th,
and nominated Benjamin F. Butler, of Massachusetts, for President, and
left the office of Vice-President to be filled by a committee, Gen. A.
M. West, of Mississippi, being subsequently chosen. The National
Greenback-Labor Convention at Indianapolis, on May 28th, endorsed the
nomination of Butler and West. The Democratic National Convention met at
Chicago on July 8, 1884, and nominated Grover Cleveland, of New York,
for President, on the second ballot, and Thomas A. Hendricks, of
Indiana, for Vice-President, by acclamation. These selections were made
to secure, if possible, the electoral vote of the two doubtful and
pivotal States. The Democratic platform demanded a change of parties; it
declared that the will of the people had been defeated by fraud in 1876;
that the Republican Party was extravagant, and had failed to keep its
pledges; denounced the existing tariff and pledged the party to its
regulation. The Prohibition National Convention at Pittsburg, on July
12th, named John P. St. John, of Kansas, for President, and William
Daniels, of Maryland, for Vice-President.
The campaign of 1884 was one of the most remarkable ever fought by the
Republican Party. An unusual feature was that for the first time in its
history a strong wing of the Republican Party openly refused to support
the nominee. These Independent Republicans became known as "Mugwumps,"
an Indian name meaning a great or wise person. It was first applied
derisively, but afterwards accepted by the Independents as a party name.
They were not strong in numbers, but as the campaign drew near its close
and it was seen that the election would be very close, the seriousness
of the Republican revolt was felt. The entire campaign was marked with
great personal bitterness, and charges of corruption and dishonesty were
made against both candidates; against Mr. Blaine because of his alleged
connection with the Little Rock Railroad matter in 1876. This accusation
was brought to the people by the publication of the Mulligan letters
September 16, 1884, but the charge was without foundation. The defection
of the Mugwumps and the bitter personal attacks had the effect of making
Mr. Blaine's friends more enthusiastic in their work for him, and he
probably would have won the contest had it not been for the unfortunate
utterance of Dr. Burchard in New York City, six days before the
election, at a reception by Mr. Blaine to a delegation of clergymen, in
which the Democratic Party was referred to as one whose antecedents have
been "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion." This remark was dishonestly
attributed to Mr. Blaine, and unquestionably lost thousands of votes,
because the accusation could not be refuted satisfactorily in the few
days remaining before the election. New York, with its thirty-six
electoral votes, was lost by the narrow margin of 1149 popular votes,
and the election went to the Democrats. A Democratic House was also
elected. The electoral vote gave Cleveland and Hendricks 219 and Blaine
and Logan 182. The popular vote was: Cleveland 4,874,986, Blaine
4,851,981, Butler 175,370, St. John 150,369.
Mr. Cleveland was inaugurated March 4, 1885, and the country had a
Democratic President for the first time since Mr. Buchanan was
inaugurated in 1857, counting the administration of Mr. Johnson as
Republican. Mr. Cleveland's first term of office reached from March,
1885, to March, 1889, and was marked by no legislation or events
seriously affecting the condition of the great parties. There was a
liberal use of the veto power, and the Democratic Party was split into
two factions over the tariff question, one wing demanding free trade and
the other tariff for revenue only, with incidental protection. The first
session of the Forty-ninth Congress met December 7, 1885, and owing to
the death of Vice-President Hendricks, John Sherman was elected
President pro tem. of the Senate. John G. Carlisle, Democrat, was
elected Speaker of the House. Owing to the fact that the House and the
Senate were controlled by different parties there was no party
legislation during the sessions of the Forty-ninth Congress, and the
same may be said of the Fiftieth Congress, which opened its first
session on December 5, 1887. The third annual message of President
Cleveland, read at the opening of this Congress, declared for free
trade, and this became the slogan of the Democratic Party, the House
passing the Mills Tariff Bill, which was rejected by the Senate. As Mr.
Cleveland's term drew to a close it was announced that he would be a
candidate for re-nomination. In the Republican Party there was no
certainty as to who would receive the nomination. Mr. Blaine announced
that he would not be a candidate, and it was felt that the nomination
would probably go to John Sherman. The declaration of Mr. Cleveland in
favor of free trade afforded a direct issue in 1888, and the Republicans
accepted it promptly by declaring for a protective tariff.
[Illustration: Benjamin Harrison.]